October
AprilStop your moaning
I have been quite surprised by the number of complaints in recent weeks over the demise of TVN, and the alleged lack of coverage by Sky, and in particular Sky Thoroughbred Central.
I am quite enjoying the coverage provided by Sky Central. There is no noticeable difference in the actual race coverage — never has been. I believe both channels used the same footage.
I am no longer being lambasted by those repetitious, amateurish ads from corporate bookmakers that were repeated ad nauseam for months on end on TVN, and the presenters are all well spoken and literate.
It is interesting to note the only personalities to have been taken by Sky Central from TVN are those who have a solid grasp of the English language, which one would have thought was a prime requirement for any personality engaged on radio or TV. The absence of these qualities did not seem to concern TVN management.
Frankly, whilst I am interested but pay little attention to the “experts’” opinions, I find I am no longer reaching for the mute button as was the case with TVN.
The grammar and articulation of some of TVN’s personalities was disgraceful and offensive to any viewer with just a basic appreciation of English vernacular. Good riddance.
As for the tips of the “Form Experts,” I recall a comment by the late great Cliff Carey when interviewed after his retirement from years of form analysis and advice on radio in the ’40s,’50s and early ’60s. He revealed that although he maintained an incredible strike rate in excess of 20 per cent (unlikely for any “expert” these days) that it was impossible to win on the punt by following any public tipster, himself included, for one simple reason: radio and TV tipsters are required to tip in every race.
He maintained, and I have never forgotten, following tipsters was a sure way to the poorhouse. You should make your own selections and practise patience to wait for the right race, the right horse, trainer and jockey and it must be value.
This may reduce your activity to anything from no bets to only a handful each day. You must work hard, put in many hours of form study to develop your own sound knowledge of form so as to be able to assess if the horse is at a value price.
A horse at 6/4 may represent extraordinary value, whilst another at double figures may be well short of its true price. Only you can decide. So I place no relevance on criticism of Sky’s tipsters versus those who were on TVN. Ignore them all.
As for the Sydney race caller, I agree Mark Shean was excellent, but Darren Flindell has years of experience in Hong Kong, is articulate and accurate and, I believe, has done a wonderful job assimilating in his new surroundings as regards horses and colours.
I note vast improvement every day as he becomes acclimatised to Sydney racing. His confidence and certainty is growing, and I am confident he will become one of the best in the land — if not the best.
Brighton (Qld)