Daily tips for April 18

Racing for April 18

Horse racing: Sale (Vic), Wyong (NSW), Rockhampton (Qld), Geraldton (WA)

Harness racing: Newcastle (NSW), Maryborough (Vic), Gold Coast (Qld), Penrith (NSW), Geelong (Vic)

Greyhound racing: Warragul (Vic), Dubbo (NSW), Geelong (Vic), Maitland (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Sandown Park (Vic), Angle Park (SA), Dapto (NSW), Hobart (Tas), Mandurah (WA)

Racing is on a dead (4) at Sale where our best of the day comes up in the Eastcoast Plumbtec Bairnsdale Maiden Plate over 1200m with Kiwi hoop Michael Walker taking the ride. The David Hayes-trained #7 Adoboli made his debut in a Seymour maiden last August where he placed at odds behind subsequent metropolitan winner Onpicalo and the stakes-placed Bel Thor.

The form out of that Seymour maiden in August appears strong with seven of Adoboli’s nine rivals going on to shed their maiden tags. The Hayes stable’s record for runners first up so far this season is impressive, with a strike-rate of 18 per cent for first-up starters at the provincials while in the country they are firing at an even better 33 per cent.

Suggested bet: Sale R4 #7 Adoboli (win two units) WIN $1.70

Other racing tips for April 18

Wyong R5 #2 Brannickers (win) LOSE 2nd

Rockhampton R2 #1 Craiglea Seal (E/W) WIN $2.10

Harness racing tip: Maryborough R5 #6 Johnny Quid (win) LOSE 2nd

Greyhound racing tip: Dapto R8 #7 Lochinvar Blanik (win) LOSE 3rd

ANZAC Test preview

Australia v New Zealand, Canberra Stadium, Friday, April 19, 7.45pm

The game that signifies the launch of rugby league’s representative season, the ANZAC Test, has traditionally proven to be a happy hunting ground for the Australians and they again look hard to stop ahead of Friday night’s clash at Canberra Stadium.

With the World Cup coming up in England and Wales at the end of the year, this clash no doubt represents an opportunity for reigning champions New Zealand to ramp up preparations for their title defence but those immediate plans have suffered a significant hit with key trio Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams and Jeremy Smith all ruled out through suspension and injury.

The result is not only the absence of two of New Zealand’s main strike players but a combined 57 Tests’ worth of experience. In contrast, the Kangaroos have close to a full strength squad, which is arguably one of the strongest sides ever to don the green and gold.

It is now 15 years since New Zealand managed a win over Australia in this ANZAC Test with a 22-16 win at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium in 1998 their last enjoyment. It doesn’t bode well for a side that typically performs better over the course of a full tournament.

The short time together won't bother the Kangaroos so much as it will the Kiwis as a lot of these players are very familiar with each other's games having played State of Origin and club footy together and they'll be a much more cohesive unit.

Suggested bet: Australia -16.5 (three units) WIN (32-12)

• Additional reporting, Ben Blaschke, NRL.com

MLB for April 18

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, April 18, 12.30pm

The Padres have chewed up a few units of our bankroll in this series so we’re hoping to claw some dollars back here. The San Diego bats have come alive against the Los Angeles Dodgers over the last two days. Another big performance, though, could be hard to come by against Clayton Kershaw.

With Chase Headley hoping to make his season debut, the Padres aim to complete their first sweep at Chavez Ravine in seven seasons. Headley, though, could be in for a quiet debut against Kershaw (2-1, 1.16 ERA), who's limited him to seven hits in 38 at-bats (.184). The former NL Cy Young award winner is 6-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his past 10 starts against the Padres.

Suggested bet: Dodgers -1.5 (two units) LOSE 7-2

Other tips

Diamondbacks @ Yankees -7.5 WIN (3-4)
Giants @ Brewers -8.5 WIN (3-4)

Nationals WIN @ Marlins WIN (6-1)

NHL for April 18

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins, TD Garden, Boston, MA, Thursday, April 18, 10am

Sometimes, the numbers don’t tell the whole story behind the likely outcome of a game. Purely on stats, the Sabres look reasonable value here against a spluttering Bruins outfit. But in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, the Boston Bruins will try to help the city forget about the tragic events for at least a few hours.

Boston (26-11-4) was scheduled to meet Ottawa on Monday night at TD Garden, but the NHL postponed that game after two bombs exploded near the finish line of the marathon earlier in the day, killing three people.

The Bruins now get back to the business of hockey, and they have plenty to play for. Along with trying to help a wounded city heal, Boston is on the verge of securing a playoff spot and sits one point behind Northeast Division-leading Montreal.

Suggested bet: Bruins -1.5 (three units) LOSE (3-2)

Other tips

Canadiens @ Penguins -5.5 LOSE (4-6)

Red Wings @ Flames WIN WIN (2-3)

Blue Jackets WIN @ Ducks WIN (3-2)

NBA for April 18

It’s one of the more unusual days in the NBA with all 30 teams in action to close the regular season. Some sides have plenty at stake leading into the playoffs; some have absolutely no incentive while it could be argued at least one side would benefit from a loss! It’s also a great day for in-play betting, as teams may change their approach depending on other likely results.

Utah Jazz @ Memphis Grizzlies, FedExForum, Memphis, TN, Thursday, April 18, 11am

While they’ll also need some help in order to make the playoffs, the Utah Jazz must beat the Memphis Grizzlies to keep their postseason hopes alive. Unfortunately, wins haven't been easy to come by in Memphis.

The Jazz attempt to avoid a sixth loss in seven road match-ups against the Grizzlies, who could possibly earn home-court advantage in a first-round series with a 14th home win in 15 tries.

The Grizzlies (55-26), who had won 13 straight at home before falling 91-87 to the Pacific Division-champion Clippers on Saturday, haven’t dropped back-to-back contests on their own court since March 2012.

Locked in as the West’s No. 5 seed, the Grizzlies, who own the same record as Clippers, would host a first-round series against Los Angeles with a win Wednesday and a Clippers loss at Sacramento. If both teams win, the Clippers get home court in the first round.

Suggested bet: Grizzlies WIN (two units) WIN, game total -178.5 (two units) WIN (70-86)

Other tips

76ers +3 @ Pacers WIN (105-95)
Wizards +8.5 @ Bulls WIN (92-95)

Hornets @ Mavericks +197.5 LOSE (87-99)

Rockets @ Lakers +202.5 LOSE (95-99)