Daily tips for July 15

Comment: Clouds gather over Sunshine State racing

Serious allegations have already been put before the Queensland Racing Inquiry as staff pore over more than 14,000 documents, with more arriving every day. The inquiry, which opened this morning before Commissioner Margaret White, has been told serious issues have arisen but no details have been provided on their nature.

The volume of information is so high the inquiry has not yet determined when it can begin public hearings. The inquiry was announced by the Newman Government after a series of allegations were made about corporate governance inside the peak industry body; Racing Queensland Limited. The inquiry will examine Racing Queensland and its now amalgamated predecessor bodies such as Greyhounds Queensland Limited and Queensland Harness Racing Limited. The wide-ranging terms of inquiry include:

• The adequacy and integrity of procurement, contract management and financial accountability policies.

• The events surrounding the contractual arrangements between QR and Contour Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd to manage contracts.

• Whether resulting contracts were underpinned by sound procurement practices and whether appropriate payment policies and processes were adhered to.

• The adequacy and integrity of, and adherence to, management policies, processes and guidelines and workplace culture and practices.

The terms of reference also specifically allow an investigation of the arrangements with Tatts Group concerning fees paid by the Tatts Group for Queensland wagering on interstate races through TattsBet. Information has already been made public suggesting QR was bleeding up to $30 million a year because of a deal it made with Tatts Group on racing fees. (Story with thanks to couriermail.com.au)

• Another quick word on Queensland racing after Saturday’s Tattersall’s Mile at Eagle Farm. The bookies seemed to have it spot on when favourite Lucky Hussler drifted in the market to $3.20 before late money returned him to favouritism at $2.60. Jockey Brad Stewart then proceeded to find more pockets than Minnesota Fats, particularly as he sought a run inside Listen Son, which resulted in a visit to the stewards. They cleared him on this incident, but handed down a seven-meeting suspension for careless riding and, just to rub salt into the owners’ and punters’ wounds, a $200 fine for returning to scale overweight!

MLB for July 15

Kansas City Royals (43-48, 21-26 away) @ Cleveland Indians (50-44, 29-19 home), Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH, Monday, July 15, 3.10am

Ubaldo Jimenez may have pitched worse each successive time he has faced the Kansas City Royals this year heading into his fourth such outing while Kansas City has to like its chances of avoiding a sweep by Jimenez’s Cleveland Indians with James Shields on the mound. Jimenez (7-4, 4.37 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA in three starts against Kansas City (43-48), beginning with seven outstanding innings in a 9-0 road win April 29. The right-hander is limiting the Royals to a .131 average – the lowest among teams that have faced him this year.

Shields (4-6, 3.12) has not lost since May 27, going 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his last eight outings. He limited the Yankees to one run over seven innings Tuesday in a 3-1 victory, finishing with five hitless frames. The right-hander has no record with a 4.76 ERA in two 2013 starts against the Indians – both during the Royals’ eight-game run with him on the mound. Nick Swisher did not play in those games, once due to injury. He's faced Shields more than any Indians hitter, going 8 for 45 with three homers.

Cleveland (50-44) will head into the All-Star break in second place in the AL Central for the second straight year, but probably feels better about itself now. Last year, the Indians trailed the second-place White Sox by three games before manager Manny Acta was fired near the end of a 24-53 collapse thereafter. Under new skipper Terry Francona, the Indians are 1 1/2 games behind Detroit as they seek a fourth straight win here. Kansas City has scored eight runs with 32 strikeouts and a .213 average during a four-game slide.

Suggested bet: Indians WIN (2.5 units @ $1.85) WIN, game total -8 (1.5 units @ $2.05) LOSE (4-6)

Other tips

IL: White Sox @ Phillies WIN $1.61 WIN (3-4)

AL: Twins @ Yankees -1.5 $2.00 LOSE (10-4)

AL: Rangers @ Tigers WIN $1.60 WIN (0-5)

AL: Blue Jays @ Orioles WIN $1.85 WIN +9.5 $1.97 WIN (4-7)

AL: Red Sox @ Athletics +8.5 $1.95 LOSE (2-3)

AL: Angels @ Mariners +8 $1.85 LOSE (3-4)

NL: Nationals @ Marlins WIN $2.23 LOSE (5-2)

NL: Reds WIN $2.18 @ Braves WIN (8-4)

NL: Cardinals WIN $1.68 @ Cubs WIN (10-6)

NL: Rockies WIN $2.26 @ Dodgers WIN (3-1)

NL: Giants WIN $2.46 @ Padres LOSE (1-10)

NL: Brewers @ Diamondbacks WIN $1.62 LOSE (5-10)

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