Daily tips for July 4

Racing for July 4

Horse racing: Cranbourne (Vic), Wyong (NSW), Mackay (Qld), Bordertown (SA), Pinjarra (WA), Grafton (NSW). Harness racing: Geelong (Vic), Gold Coast (Qld), Maryborough (Vic), Penrith (NSW), Tamworth (NSW). Greyhound racing: Albion Park (Qld), Casino (NSW), Dapto (NSW), Angle Park (SA), Geelong (Vic), Hobart (Tas), Maitland (NSW), Mandurah (WA), Sandown Park (Vic), Warragul (Vic), Warrnambool (Vic).

More than $1 million in prizemoney will be up for grabs over the next 11 days as the Clarence River Jockey Club hosts the 2013 Grafton XXXXGold July Cup Carnival. Action starts today with the running of the Westlawn Finance Grafton Cup Prelude (2100m) and the John Carlton Cup (1200m), named in honour of the popular race caller at CRJC meetings. The winners of these races are exempt from ballot in the Grafton Cup and Ramornie Handicap respectively. Our eyes will be on the Cup Prelude (race 3) where the seasoned 3yo gelding #1 Zar Zar Binks looks the best chance. Trained at Taree by Bindi Cheers and ridden here by Matthew Paget, he’s a winner of seven from 34 and took out Murwillumbah Cup last time out over 2200m. He’s down in distance but a long way down in class and doesn’t mind it wet or dry (slow 6 today).

Suggested bet: Grafton R3 #1 Zar Zar Binks (E/W 1x4) 1st ($2.70/$1.30)

Other tips

Cranbourne R2 #5 Sharp Money (win) 1st ($2.50)

Cranbourne R8 #1 Design for Life (E/W) LOSE (U/P)

Cranbourne R9 #2 Human League (E/W) 1st ($5.10/$2.10)

Grafton R1 #10 Natural Dancer (win) 1st ($1.80)

Grafton R2 #11 Nuclear Class (E/W) 1st ($7.10/$2.20)

Grafton R8 #2 War Ends (E/W) 1st ($5.50/$2.10)

Wyong R1 #1 Tribal Art (win) LOSE (2nd)

Wyong R3 #4 Casiroll (win) LOSE (2nd)

Wyong R6 #1 Sheniyan (E/W) 3rd ($2.10)

Wyong R7 #2 Eight Strikes (E/W) LOSE (4th)

Mackay R2 #1 Hotel Paradiso (win) 1st ($2.00)

Mackay R4 #3 Cracow (win) LOSE (3rd)

MLB for July 4

Philadelphia Phillies (40-44, 21-26 away) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (51-31, 28-14 home), PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA, Thursday, July 4, 9.10am

The Pittsburgh Pirates faced a decision that most teams wish they had to make. Having selected Jeff Locke to take the mound, the Pirates will look to rebound after the Philadelphia Phillies snapped their nine-game winning streak in the series opener. Pittsburgh (51-31) could have gone with Jeanmar Gomez, who surrendered an unearned run in five innings at Seattle in his return from right forearm tightness. The Pirates have won all eight games that Gomez has started this season. Instead, Locke (7-1, 2.06 ERA), who was scratched from yesterday’s game due to a lengthy bullpen session in Sunday’s extra-inning win over Milwaukee, is scheduled to make the start. The left-hander has been outstanding of late, with a 1.07 ERA over his last eight starts.

Philadelphia (40-44), which entered Tuesday with a 1-6 record and a .203 batting average in road contests against NL Central teams, received a spark from Ryan Howard. The first baseman, who finished June in an 0-for-20 skid with 11 strikeouts, had two hits Tuesday in his first game of July. John Lannan (1-2, 4.83) looks to build off his first win of the season. The left-hander failed to win any of his first five outings, posting a 5.84 ERA, but was in excellent form Friday against the Dodgers. He allowed one run and five hits in seven innings as the Phillies rolled to a 16-1 rout. Lannan last saw Pittsburgh in July 2011, while with Washington. He’s 1-4 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career starts against the Pirates.

Suggested bet: Pirates WIN (three units @ $1.53) WIN, game total +8 (one unit @ $2.02) WIN (5-6)

Other tips

IL: Padres @ Red Sox -1.5 $2.00 LOSE (1-2)

IL: Cardinals WIN ($1.96) @ Angels WIN (12-2)

IL: Cubs @ Athletics WIN $1.50 WIN (7-8)

AL: Tigers WIN $1.80 @ Blue Jays WIN (6-2)

AL: Orioles WIN $1.83 @ White Sox WIN (4-2)

AL: Mariners @ Rangers WIN $1.77 LOSE (4-2)

AL: Indians WIN $2.05 LOSE @ Royals +8.5 $1.78 WIN (5-6)

AL: Rays WIN $1.67 @ Astros LOSE (1-4)

NL: Giants @ Reds -1.5 $2.20 LOSE (2-3)

NL: Diamondbacks @ Mets WIN $1.58 LOSE (5-3)

NL: Dodgers @ Rockies -9.5 $2.00 LOSE (10-8)

Although we won’t be posting our Independence Day tips until tomorrow (July 4 comes around a bit quicker in this part of the world), I’d like to wish all of our US friends a happy Fourth of July – hope you have a profitable day!

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.