Daily tips for June 14

NRL (R14) for June 14

St George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys, WIN Stadium, Friday, June 14, 7.35pm

Dragons coach Steve Price can empathise with his opponent Neil Henry on the fickle existence of an NRL coach. The critics were circling for Price after the Dragons had lost their first three games of the season and the bookies had posted him as the coach most likely to lose his job. Fortunes have turned somewhat for the Dragons, and their coach, which now sees them above the Cowboys on the ladder and Henry the NRL coach in the hot seat, fending off rumours about his job security although the Cowboys hierarchy stay solidly behind him. If Henry didn't have enough on-field concerns, Origin and Test prop James Tamou is on drink driving charges.

Consistency hasn’t been the Dragons’ strong point either and they still have to struggle with non-established centres Nathan Green (seven NRL appearances) and ‘Matt Prior out wide with Kyle Stanley, Matt Cooper, Bronx Goodwin and Gerald Beale injured. But Josh Dugan's scintillating form and the gamble of dumping Jamie Soward and replacing him with the more dynamic runner Chase Stanley gives them an edge they did not have a month ago. They need it; the Dragons are just about on a par with Parramatta as having scored the least tries this season (2.67 per game compared to the Eels 2.65) and have only twice scored 20 points or more. – Preview with thanks to nrl.com

Suggested bet: Dragons -3.5 (2.5 units @ $1.66) LOSE, game total +36 (1.5 units @ $1.85) WIN (16-22)

AFL (R12) for June 14

Carlton v Hawthorn, Etihad Stadium, Friday, June 14, 7.50pm

Jarrad Waite’s seven goals in a narrow loss to the Bombers last week papered over the typically inconsistent football that Carlton has served up this season. They may not have lost by more than 16 points in any game, but the Blues are well below the standards they attained under Brett Ratten last year. The omission of Chris Yarran for disciplinary reasons despite being clearly among the best XXII underlines the tricky course Mick Malthouse is currently negotiating.

Meanwhile the Hawks, fresh from a week’s rest, will welcome back Max Bailey and Jack Gunston as they attempt to inflict a staggering 19th loss on Carlton on their home ground in the past 32 games. Under this format of the bye, sides returning from the break have shown an ability to run out the game stronger than their opponents. If this is close at three-quarter-time, expect the Hawks to bolt clear. However, it could be well and truly over for the Blues by that point of the game.

Suggested bet: Game total -201.5 (2.5 units @ $1.88) WIN, Hawthorn -24.5 (1.5 units @ $1.91) LOSE (87-102)

Racing for June 14

Horse racing: Geelong (Vic), Wagga (NSW – abandoned), Muswellbrook (NSW), Beaudesert (Qld). Harness racing: Young (NSW), Melton (Vic), Gold Coast (Qld), Newcastle (NSW), Gloucester Park (WA), Globe Derby (SA). Greyhound racing: Casino (NSW), Gawler (SA), Traralgon (Vic), The Gardens (NSW), Ipswich (Qld), Geelong (Vic), Wentworth Park (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Winnellie Park (NT).

With a modest program of races on the local calendar today, our focus returns to Singapore for our best of the day in the Open Benchmark 83 over 1200m on the Polytrack at Kranji.

Wearing the famous Mummify colours, trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by champion hoop Joao Moreira, it’s hard to find fault with #6 Cavallo. He gets in here with just 54kgs and is guaranteed an even run from barrier 7. His record in Singapore is a sound three wins and five placings from 10 starts, with his two paying efforts being a fourth and a sixth. Moreira has been on Cavallo three times for a win and two seconds, and his army of backers is sure to be on board.

Suggested bet: Kranji R7 #6 Cavallo E/W 1x4 2nd ($1.60)

Geelong R7 #9 Charmed Harmony (win) 1st ($2.10)

Muswellbrook R3 #1 Sumptuous (win) LOSE (4th)

Muswellbrook R5 #3 Star Thriller (win) 1st ($3.70)

Muswellbrook R7 #3 Lady Gazerra (win) LOSE (3rd)

Beaudesert R4 #3 Mishani Ace (E/W 1x4) 1st ($4.60/$1.50)

Harness racing tip: Melton R4 #7 Broadway’s Best (win) 1st ($1.60)

Greyhound racing tip: Wentworth Park R4 #4 Aqua Wolf (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication