Betting tips / Jake Norton / 15 January 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

It's great to be on board as part of the Betfair team.

And what better way to get into the Betfair spirit than by talking punting, and I am going to put myself in the firing line every week by revealing my best bets of the sporting weekend.

Everyone has an opinion on what's going to happen on the field, court, course or track so feel free to share your thoughts with me each Friday by posting a comment below.

Make what you will of my thoughts, but here's three selections that I am going to have a few bob on this weekend.

KFC TWENTY20 BIG BASH - NSW V VICTORIA, SUNDAY, ANZ STADIUM SYDNEY

MY BET - NSW TO WIN

Why not tip an upset to kick things off! It is Twenty20 cricket after all and anything can happen.

Normally I would want to back Victoria every time, but with middle-order stars David Hussey and Cameron White in the Australian one-day setup and quick Peter Siddle out because of injury, I think the 'Baby Blues' are an enormous chance of producing a boilover.

There will be two major factors that will decide this game. The first is Brad Hodge, who again is in terrific form with the bat. The second is the NSW middle-order which at times again this season has been dreadful.

If NSW can get Hodge early and manage a decent total, I think they are a genuine chance at when should be big odds in a two horse race.

GOLF - SONY OPEN

MY BET - K.J CHOI FOR A TOP 10 FINISH - $3.45.

The 'Mr. Consistent' of the PGA tour, Choi isn't far away from a dominant year.

I feel he can start off well here, at the scene of his only tournament victory last season.

Admittedly, South Korea's favourite son disappointed in the majors in 2008 but still did enough to finish 16th on the money list with over $2,600,000 for the season.

Aussie Geoff Ogilvy heads in as the pre-tournament second favourite with Betfair ($12.00) after his blistering, 5 shot win at the Mercedez last week.

If your patriotic side gets the better of you when your having a bet, this might be a good time. Ogilvy is running hot at present.

RACING - CHESTER MANIFOLD, RACE 6, FLEMINGTON SUNDAY

MY BET - COUNT TO ZERO (E/W)

This is not a bad race for this time of the year, with some in-form horses stepping up in distance, several sprinter / milers and a couple of resuming stayers.

I can only really see four or five genuine chances in the race. The David Hayes trained gelding Silky Smooth will rightly start a reasonably short priced favourite after it's ultra impressive, 5 length win back in December. That was on this track and over the same distance, but it was on very heavy going.

I am with the Robbie Griffiths trained Count to Zero. The seven-year-old veteran is crying out for this trip and has been ticking over nicely in the last few weeks.

I thought the horse ran well for second behind Rok Posta on New Years Day at Flemington and that run will have helped topped it off fitness wise. 'The Count' also meets Rok Posta 2 kilos better in the weights this time out.

Expect excellent value on Betfair, around $6.50 - $7.00 on raceday. Could be a nice each-way gamble in a competitive race.

Hope you have a safe and profitable weekend.

Mathew Thompson.