Daily tips for April 17

Racing for April 17

Horse racing: Sportingbet Park (Vic), Canterbury (NSW), Doomben (Qld), Strathalbyn (SA), Ascot (WA)

Harness racing: Tamworth (NSW), Shepparton (Vic), Redcliffe (Qld), Bendigo (Vic)

Greyhound racing: The Meadows (Vic), Angle Park (SA), Shepparton (Vic), Richmond (NSW), Albion Park (Qld), Warrnambool (Vic), Rockhampton (Qld), Ballarat (Vic), Dapto (NSW), Cannington (WA)

It’s a slow (6) for today’s Canterbury meeting where a classy field of 3yo fillies will line-up in the Canterbury BMW P J Bell Stakes over 1200m. #1 Catkins won well two back when she beat Golden Sunshine, Villa Splendido and Knight Exemplar. She ranked third on the day on a heavy track so the slow here is no issue. She is a long way ahead of the rest on handicap rating and only carries 1.5kg more.

The Chris Waller-trained runner has always shown ability in her short career. This race looms as a much easier task compared to what she took on in her last two, and top Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy goes on board for the first time. Also in her favour, she has won over the trip previously.

Suggested bet: Canterbury R5 #1 Catkins (win two units) WIN $3.90

Other racing tips for April 17

Sportingbet Park R8 #13 Lord Durante (E/W) LOSE

Doomben R5 #4 Stop Crying (E/W) 2nd $1.40

Harness racing tip: Shepparton R2 #5 Blue Seelster (win) LOSE

Greyhound racing tip: Dapto R6 #3 Princess Mea (win) WIN $1.60

MLB for April 17

Kansas City Royals @ Atlanta Braves, Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia, Wednesday, April 17, 9.40am

Despite being on the brink of their longest winning streak in 13 years, the Atlanta Braves are remaining level-headed. The Kansas City Royals, meanwhile, are generating some excitement with their solid start. Atlanta sends Kris Medlen to the mound as it seeks a 10th consecutive victory to begin a two-game set against visiting Kansas City.

Royals counter with Jeremy Guthrie, who became a free agent at the end of last season but the Royals were so impressed that they re-signed him, and he is off to another good start this year. The Atlanta bullpen leads the majors with a 1.30 ERA while the Kansas City bullpen is ranked sixth in the American League with a solid 2.45 ERA.

Suggested bet: Game total -7 (two units) LOSE

Other tips

Nationals WIN @ Marlins LOSE

Phillies @ Reds +8 LOSE

Royals @ Braves WIN WIN

NHL for April 17

Florida Panthers @ New York Islanders, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, NY, Wednesday, April 17, 9am

Who would have imagined at the beginning of the season that the New York Islanders would be hot favourites in any game this season?

The New York Islanders have been able to overcome some average performances at home by posting one of the league's best road records. Lately, though, they've been playing well no matter the venue. They are 5-0-2 in their last seven and are 4-0-1 in their last five at home.

Florida is again trending downward as they’ve lost three of four while being outscored 10-3 in their last two games. They are 6-13 on the road this season and will have to deal with Evgeni Nabokov, who has a 7-1-2 lifetime record against the Panthers.

Suggested bet: Islanders -1.5 (three units) WIN

Other tips

Maple Leafs @ Capitals WIN WIN

Hurricanes @ Senators -1.5 LOSE

Wild WIN @ Oilers WIN

NBA for April 17

Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Clippers, Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA, Wednesday, April 17, 12.30pm

With the postponement of the Pacers @ Celtics clash in the aftermath of the Boston bombings, there are just two NBA games scheduled for today.

Following a key victory in the fight for home-court advantage, the Los Angeles Clippers control their own destiny in the final week of the regular season. The Clippers, a franchise-best 31-9 at home, will need to win for the third time in four meetings with the Blazers (33-47).

The Portland Trail Blazers are simply trying to end one of the longest losing streaks in franchise history. Playing without injured starters LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum, Portland started four rookies and dropped its 11th straight at Denver on Monday. They have little hope here, and we expect the Clippers to win easily.

Suggested bet: Clippers -15 (three units) WIN

Other tips

Raptors @ Hawks -196.5 LOSE