Australian Derby: Strike The Stars to take in Rosehill Guineas en route

News / Timeform / 26 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Blake Shinn: Rides Strike The Stars

"Strike The Stars didn't get the breaks when only seventh behind old nemesis Mosheen in the Randwick Guineas last time."

Trainer Anthony Cummings has said that his three-year-old Strike The Stars will swerve the Doncaster Mile and instead head for the Rosehill Guineas on his way to the Australian Derby...

Cummings confirmed that the Doncaster was always seen a a fall-back for the Savabeel gelding and, with the Australian Guineas runner-up in fine form, the Rosehill Guineas is very much the plan, with the $1.5 million Australian Derby (currently trading at [13.0]) on April 14 the main target.

Rosehill's $2.25 million BMW on April 7, in which he will meet older horses at weight-for-age, is still a possibility and he trades at [18.0] for that race, also over 2400m.

Blake Shinn will take over aboard Strike The Stars when he goes in the middle leg of Sydney's autumn triple crown for three-year-olds on Saturday, last year's Group 3 Gloaming Stakes winner looking for his first victory at the highest level.

Strike The Stars didn't get the breaks when only seventh behind old nemesis Mosheen in the Randwick Guineas last time, the filly having beaten him by three lengths in in the Australian Guineas at Flemington earlier in the month.

Mosheen herself, who is trading as short-priiced favourite for the Australian Oaks and at [24.0] for the same day's Doncaster Handicap, will reportedly attempt to further her claims for either race in the $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes on April 7.

In other news, Corey Brown will ride Paul Messara's Rekindled Alliance is the Guinease should the horse take his chance.

Last year's winner Sweet Lightning has been taken out of the Lincoln, in which 2010 victor Penitent will now carry top weight at Doncaster on Saturday......

Godolphin's Gamilati has undergone surgery to remove a chip from her near-fore ankle and may now be forced to miss the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.......

Though the culmination of the all-weather season, it's difficult to see Winter Derby day at Lingfield as anything other than the beginning on the new Flat season given the quality of horses and the promising performances on show. David Johnson takes a look at them from the Timeform ratings perspective......

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Home And Away: AZ won't navigate a route past Anderlecht

Daily Tipping / Jonno Turner / 23 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will Anderlecht and Udinese still be fighting for this trophy after tonight?

The Europa League is dominating Jonno Turner's thoughts on Thursday, as he backs first-leg blank-firers Anderlecht and Udinese to deliver at the second attempt...

Sometimes I look at my bets on obscure European teams and wonder if I have a problem. Trouble is, I have an addictive personality. I used to be addicted to mud wrestling, but I've been clean four years now.

We're off to Belgium for our first tip of the day, as Jupiler League leaders Anderlecht welcome Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

The hosts go into this tie with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, but Ariel Jacobs' side are formidable on their own patch and I think we could see plenty more from the home side tonight.

Anderlecht haven't lost in ten games in front of their fans, and have won nine of those. That form has pushed the home side seven points clear domestically, and Jacobs' side is playing with confidence, smashing nine goals in their last four games.

The visitors approach this tie occupying second place in the Eredivisie, and are enjoying an impressive season themselves, but their away form does leave a lot to be desired.

Two wins in nine on the road shows that Gertjan Verbeek's side are susceptible to travel sickness, and they have conceded 14 in their last seven outings away from the DSB Stadion.

And here's a stat for you: they have not won on the road in this competition for 12 games - six losses and six draws making up the misery.

The first leg was a tight affair - and I feel that, considering the two sides' relative form, the home win is excellent value here.

Bet 1: Anderlecht (HOME) to win @ [2.02]

You can't say that kids are oblivious to the news. I was testing my little brother on his geography homework yesterday, and when I asked him "What's the capital of Greece?" he replied "about €30".

And that's where we're off next, as Europa League surprise package PAOK host Udinese in the second leg of their duel. The first tie between these two sides ended in a 0-0 stalemate, and PAOK will now fancy their chances of causing yet another upset this season.

But Lazslo Boloni's side have not won in three games on their own patch, and that is sure to knock the confidence of a team who has relied on their home stadium being something of a fortress for most of this season.

And it's worth noting that PAOK have only won one of their last three games at the Toumba Stadium in this competition.

Udinese are enjoying a great season domestically, and are currently third in Serie A. Francesco Guidolin has seen his side lose just twice in 18 at home, and the Bianconeri now need to turn that home form into a solid away performance.

Seven goals in their last four away games shows that the Italians are able to nick a goal or two, and if they can notch first in Greece, this tie will look very different. Udinese are still firmly in this, and will be desperate to leave Greece with their place in the next round of the competition secured.

Bet 2: Udinese (AWAY) to win @ [3.05]

Ligue 1 and Serie A are the two leagues featured in today's column. But who is the good thing to win at home and who should we back to win away?...

Barnsley host Birmingham in the English Championship tonight in what, on paper, appears to be a goalfest in the making. Under 2.5 goals is odds-on though and Paul Robinson believes that is definitely worth opposing....

A home win and an away win have been identified by Jonno Turner but who are the two teams we want to be on?...

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