Tipping Competition

[Equine Investor]

Wondering if there is enough interest here to start a tipping competition over a couple of months. It is just for fun - no prize.
Might be a fun exercise I thought. If we can get together enough people, I would be happy to keep the stats.

RULES

1. Units would be win bet only for $1.00 unit.
You must have at least 5 bets per week - that stops a person selecting one longshot winner and stopping.
:wink:

2. Dividends would be STAB closing prices.

3. You could have as many selections on any day you like but all selections to be in by 11 AM raceday. If scratching no substitute no bet. You can have multiple selections per race but must have them in before 11am.

4. The winner would be the tipster with the highest $ profit at LEVEL stakes only. No multiple bets (Quin / Tri etc).

What does everyone think?

We must all agree on the rules before starting.

Selections should be clear and include the meeting, race number, horse number, and horse name. (for ease of checking).

Hope we get some interest.

quapi - hope you think it's a good idea???

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 02:25 ]</font>

[hermes]

I'II be in it EI. A good way to trial a new selection system. And fun.

Hermes

[storm]

I'll be in that for sure, i'm sure you'll have no trouble getting the numbers.

[Numerator]

Count me in too. I've got to tip a winner somewhere! :smile:

[legion]

Count me in E.I. but I dont know if I can fulfill the five bet minimum clause.

[trench digger]

Equine Investor,

Count me in.

How about from Saturday till end of Spring Carnival?

[quapi]

It's an excellent idea Equine Investor.

[becareful]

Can I use the 99/100 system instead of posting selections? I'd be interested to see how it goes against the tipsters! Obviously I would define the rules of the system so there can be no argument whether a horse was a selection under the system and would send the results at the end of each day (which could be checked by the "judge" if there are any queries).

[LONGBOW]

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME GUYS. I'M IN.

CHEERS, LONGBOW

[michaelg]

Will the competition be Win betting only, or can it also be Place betting if preferred? If so, count me in.

[Sandgroper]

EI, how would we lodge our selections? Post onto a thread. Email someone. Another method?

_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-27 12:08 ]</font>

YOU CAN ALSO COUNT ME IN.

[becareful]

Just a couple of "rule" suggestions for people to agree or disagree with!

How about running from the 1st September to 30th November - this gives exactly 3 months and exactly 13 weeks - just seems like nice round numbers.

5 bet minimum could be averaged so if we went with the 13 weeks above the number of required tips would be 65 - this would allow people to post less than 5 tips some weeks if they want as long as they make it up before end of comp.

I would suggest emailing tips to the judge/judges (I am happy to also track results if we want a 2nd person to share the load) with a single posting at the end of each day (or next morning) from judge with a results summary for each person submitting tips. This would allow each person to check their results and query any discrepancies.

I have no problem with people choosing either win, place or eachway (E/W would be 50c Win, 50c Place) but agree that no quinella/trifecta, etc

[TESTAROSSA]

Sounds great to me EI and Becareful , i'll be in.

[Equine Investor]

Great to see some interest!

Yes I agree that perhaps the tips should be emailed rather than posted on the forum. I shall keep a running tally of $ profit at the end of each week rather than daily as I might not be able to check every day.
Results to be posted on Sunday evening as many might like to include SundaY METRO RACING.

Due to the work involved let's keep it to either win or place only but not eachway.

The average will be 5 bets per week. So one week you may have less than 5 bets. I also think we should keep it to METRO racing. WED-SAT-SUN and public holidays but include any country cups etc.
What do you think?

becareful, thanks for your offer of help - will contact you if it gets all too much :wink:

As far as the time range I was also thinking three months from 1st September to 1st December.

I will also start a rankings thread so you can see how you rank against the opposition.
Rankings will only be by profit $ not by P.O.T. or strike rate etc.

Everyone agree or more suggestions?

Above all let's have fun and enjoy it rather than have any ill feeling or bad blood. I think it's a great chance for the community to get together on a project.
I came up with the idea after seeing many Saturday posters get various winners and wondered how we would all fair if we backed all the tips together!
:grin:

Also, everyone makes mistakes, so if you notice an error on my part, please let me know via email and I will check it out and fix it promptly - everyone should keep their own records as well to make sure I haven't accidentally cost you the top position.
:wink:


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 14:38 ]</font>

[thekey]

count me in

[Equine Investor]

So far we have:

1.Equine Investor
2.becareful
3.hermes
4.storm
5.Numerator
6.legion
7.trench digger
8.LONGBOW
9.michaelg
10.Sandgroper
11.zetor
12.TESTAROSSA
13.thekey
14.mufcforever
15.shy
16.croft
17.Paddy
18.Tennesse Blue

If we get more than 20 people I will need help becareful. Perhaps we can start a tipping hotmail address and both have access to it, also create a tipping persona on this BB and both share the username and password for the stats / rankings purpose only.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 22:06 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 22:15 ]</font>

[hermes]

PLACE BETTERS CHALLENGE

I'd like to see a special award for place betters. There's a few place betters on this forum. I'm increasingly pessimistic about the profitability of set-and-forget place betting systems so I'd like to issue the following challenge:

Can anyone, in the course of this competition, demonstrate a place selection method that yields better than 5% POT? It shouldn't be hard, should it?

The rules of the challenge are:

*You post the rules of your selection method before the competition begins.
*You stick to your rules throughout the comp.

(You can submit the rules just to the "judge" if they contain closely guarded secrets you'd rather not post to all and sundry.)

If you can finish with POT of better than 5% you're the forum's official place ace.

It shouldn't be hard but I can't get a set-and-forget place selection system to pay better than money back, or maybe a few dollars POT if you're lucky, over three months Metro racing, so I'd be mighty impressed if someone can show how it's done.

Hermes

[Equine Investor]

We can split up the end results anyway people like and give recognition in various areas. Any selections provided to the "judges" will remain confidential at all times, except that we may make special mention of good selections or outstanding performances week to week.

For Example:

We might mention that TESTAROSSA had a good collect with selecting Defier last Saturday. But all the bets selected would remain between the "judges" and the selector.

Also would prefer that people just supply us with the selections and not variables or selection methods.

E.G. Only back this horse if it's over 5/1 or if it is wearing blinkers etc.
Otherwise it gets confusing.

[shy]

Sounds like fun... count me in

shy

[becareful]

EI,

I could whip up a small database to track the tips which attached to my results database (so all I would have to do is enter each persons tips by meeting code, race no and tab no and the database would automatically work out any divs and then display a progressive total which we could post). This would probably save a lot of time if we have a lot of tips to check.

I have my own domain name and mail server so I can set up an email address that automatically forwards to both of us or we can go with the hotmail address if you prefer. Tipping user on the BB is a good idea.

I was thinking we could monitor three "awards" - best profit win betting; best profit place betting and best POT figure. If we go with the database I can monitor win & place totals for everyones selections just out of interest - some place betters might be surprised how well they go betting win only.

As it is a tipping competition I will send my tips to EI (although since I don't ususally bet on weekend racing I don't hold out a lot of hope for them!). I will also monitor and post the results for the 99/100 system I have discussed on the other thread just to see how it compares to the tipping results (I will post full rules for the system before we start).

[shy]

Just wondering if we could possibly use any tab covered race on any race days, even if the results are collated weekly perhaps. That way there should be no reason anyone's selections would be disadvantaged or results distorted by having to miss selections or add to make minimum selections.

[becareful]

Shy,

That would be OK with me - what do you think EI? It would have to be a meeting covered by Tabcorp since we are using their dividends.

Should we have a maximum number of selections per week as well? Maybe no more than 20 to save the sanity of the judges?

[Tennesse Blue]

great idea! count the old tennesse in!

[Paddy]

What's the idea of emailing your selections?

Let's post them on the forum for all to see, say a new thread each week.

I just know you clever folk are gonna pick lots of winners.

I (and I am sure others) don't want to know about your clever picks after the event, want a chance to back them, and add to our pots o gold!

OOPS!?! :cool:

[Equine Investor]

O.K. we could open it up a bit to any VicTAB covered meeting, my only concern was that those only able to bet on weekends might feel disadvantaged.

The problem with limiting the bets is that some people like to bet only in say Victoria whilst others like to go countrywide and hence a lot more selections. Also some people would follow particular horses and five might run one weekend but 20 the next, so where to draw the line?

:???:

becareful, your idea of the database sounds great! Would save us both a great deal of work if it's easy enough to set up.
I will set up the Tipping persona soon and send you details via email, so that we can both have access if need be.

Thinking about the selections, perhaps an average of 5 a day would be in order. That way weekenders could tip up to 25 and not be behind the eightball. Also if punters like to tip midweek they can, but then are limited on the weekend.

Again we need to come to some consensus.

I was just wondering about the workload, as we would need then to update every day without fail!

Anyhow all suggestions gratefully considered.

P.S.
Paddy I see your point, but some forum members are a little guarded when it comes to revealing their tips, methods, or strategies.
Some selection methods have very small profit margins, and especially place systems...so I can understand not wanting to tip selections to everyone and have the dividends eaten away by the punters with the bigger pots of gold.
:wink:


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 21:34 ]</font>

[becareful]

Paddy,

My idea behind emailing the tips was that firstly it will be much easier for the judges to ensure they do not miss any tips. Also it will stop any disputes about "they copied my selections" if people select the same horses. Of course everyone is free to post their tips to the forum as well as you currently do but the competition tips should be emailed (they don't have to be the same tips!). Do you agree EI?

[Equine Investor]

Yep, tips need to be emailed so we know that no postings have been added to, deleted or otherwise altered and also many will have the same tips obviously and we want to keep it nice without accusations of plagerism etc.

[croft]

count me in as well.

[becareful]

EI,

The database should be quite simple so I will set that up in the next couple of days.

To summarise the "rules" so far:

1. "Competition" will run from Sunday 1st September to Saturday 30th of November inclusive (unless everyone loses interest before then).
2. Tips are to be emailed to the tipping email address by 11AM raceday (can be submitted previous day if preferred). If you want to tip on the first few New Zealand races then you will need to get your Saturday tips in by 10AM.
3. Each person must average at least 5 bets/week (so 65 bets minimum over the 13 weeks) but no more than 25 bets in any week (Sunday to Saturday).
4. You may tip on any race covered by Supertab (Tabcorp). Multiple selections per race are allowed.
5. Scratchings will be treated as a "no bet". If you submit bets early and a selection is scratched you may submit a substitution ONLY if you submit it in prior to the 11am deadline.
6. No conditional bets - if you tip it and it starts the race then it is included in your selections!
7. Results will be calculated as $1 bet per selection and results for Win and Place will be reported (so you don't have to specify win or place - we will work out both automatically). Results will be calculated on Supertab declared dividend.
8. At the end of each day (or next morning) each punters results for the day will be posted - you should check your results and send an email if you believe there are any errors.
9. At least weekly (but probably more often depending on activity) the "leaderboard" will be posted with the leading tipsters for Win (by $ profit), Place (by $ profit) and leading POT figures.

I think that about covers what has been discussed so far. Anyone have anything they would like to add or anything that they disagree with?

[Equine Investor]

Great summary becareful.

Yes should run til last race 30th November as it's a Saturday.
1st September is a Sunday.
:sad:

Wonder how many will be on the "getout" stakes in race 8 at Belmont?

:lol:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-27 22:45 ]</font>

[Placegetter]

Becareful and Equine Investor.

You guys are nuts! All that work for nix!

Having previously run my own tipping competition, can I just say this:

Entrants please note that the task becareful and equine investor are taking on is no small job. It will take time which they are willing to give up gratis. So be sure to be appreciative at all times.

Good luck to all, may the best tipster win, or should I say, may the luckiest guy/gal over the next 13 weeks be in front at the end!

I'll be watching with interest. :cry:

Placegetter

PS. Can I bet on the outcome? Hermes is a warm favourite for mine in the place pool.

[Equine Investor]

Placegetter, you're not in?

We would welcome your input if you like to contribute, even for interest sake.

Just thought this tipping comp might bring the community together in a common project and also increase traffic to the propun site.

Above all, even though it will involve work; I have the time to devote to it to make it FUN.

:grin:


becareful please send your email address to me at mrdavidking@hotmail.com as I have setup the tipping comp username and password.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-28 00:17 ]</font>

[midaswell]

Count me in too !!

[Paddy]

And a top o' the mornin' to you all.

Don't think I signed on for the tipping contest EI, just raised an issue.

Seems a shame that at least those participating don't have the same opportunity (afforded to yourself and perhaps becareful) of observing the fate of those selected & perhaps having a little flutter if they too, fancy someone's selections.

Anyway, to all those participating, hope you have fun.

[Placegetter]

On 2002-08-27 23:52, Equine Investor wrote:
Placegetter, you're not in?

We would welcome your input if you like to contribute, even for interest sake.


Equine Investor, did you notice the little crying man in my post?

If it weren't for lack of form guides and internet connections over the course of the competition, I would be in with bells on. I applaud your efforts.

If you could handle an experiment, my selections would be Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Saturdays only, lowest saddlecloth number in races 5 and 6. So that's 6 selections a week to meet your minimum. I expect to at least be even.

Regards,

Placegetter

[Sandgroper]

Hi EI, just noticed I have made your starters list, sorry you will need to scratch me, didn’t realise I had actually nominated.

Apologies if my earlier post (this thread)was in any way misleading, thought I was just posing a question.

Good luck to all those in the competition!



_________________
All the best from the West

Sandgroper :smile:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-28 10:51 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Sandgroper on 2002-08-28 10:53 ]</font>

[michaelg]

I have only a minimum knowledge of computers but if someone's selections are posted prior to 11 a.m. is it not possible that for some reason those selections could be delayed and therefore not received by the 11 a.m. deadline? If so, can it be ascertained the precise time that the selections were posted? I expect to post my selections at approximately 10.30 a.m. so hopefully I will not have this problem, but my understanding is that there are sometimes unforseen delays of which the sender is not aware.

[Equine Investor]

Guys please be assured that all are welcome to join.

Sorry that I include some people that may not have wanted to participate. :sad:
I will amend the list appropriately.

Paddy, we will give final results in detail as well as a running tally.

Also with the work involved in maintaining the results and rankings selections and scratchings, I doubt that either myself or becareful will actually have time to have a bet!
:wink:

We are considering having a trial run on Saturday just to iron out any bugs - this will not count towards the final tally.

Hope you all agree as we would hate to start and find it all messed up! :evil:

Best of luck to you all.

So far we have:

1.Equine Investor
2.becareful
3.hermes
4.storm
5.Numerator
6.legion
7.trench digger
8.LONGBOW
9.michaelg
10.zetor
11.TESTAROSSA
12.thekey
13.mufcforever
14.shy
15.croft
16.midaswell
17.Tennesse Blue
18.Placegetter (I will track his tips myself as he is at a disadvantage with internet access etc and his method is quite simple).
19.schmucta80
20.wjp
21.INTERGAZE
22.Rain Lover
23.Mark

michaelg, we will be a little flexible with deadlines but not to the point of 5 mins before the jump. :grin:
Perhaps you could request a read receipt to ensure we got your email in time.

In outlook express
1.Create your new message
2.Go to tools menu
3.Select Request Read Receipt.

(not sure how to do it in other applications).

Also the time of sending of the email can be verified in the message source details.


I am also going to start a new thread ONLY for tipping results as over the three months it's going to get quite long. Please don't post comments there - just post them in this thread - otherwise we are going to have a 27 page thread!!!
People want to be able to see standings etc at a glance without going through all the discussions.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-30 16:24 ]</font>

[schmucta80]

and lucky 19 Schmucta, or The Schu, or hey u with the hair, anything u like just count me in:)

[Equine Investor]

Some further guidelines for the competition just to make it run smoothly.

1. Tips to be sent by email to tipping@tlcbc.com.au

2. Each email should contain tips for a single day only - if anyone wants to submit 2 days tips at once (eg. Sat and Sun on Friday night) then 2 emails to make it easier

3. Subject should contain the Propunter username and date the tips are for - eg. Becareful tips for 28/8

4. Each tip should be on a seperate line in the body of the email and must contain the venue name, Race No, Horse No and Horse Name. eg:

Balaklava R6 - 3 Old Man
Balaklava R6 - 9 None For The Road

Hope this helps.

[Placegetter]

On 2002-08-28 14:15, Equine Investor wrote:

18.Placegetter (I will track his tips myself as he is at a disadvantage with internet access etc and his method is quite simple).


Already I have lulled the competition into a false sense of security. Indeed a cunning plan! :lol:

[INTERGAZE]

I'd like to join....Intergaze....is it too late?whah...whahhh...whahhhhhhhhhhhh...??

[Equine Investor]

INTERGAZE...you're in!

:grin:

We have 21 people so far and would love to have up to 50 to make it interesting. Please register your interest before Sunday as that is our first "live" day.
Also just for interest sake and to smooth out any bugs, could you please do sample selections and email them to the tipping address on Saturday.
(Those results won't count to the final tally).

tipping@tlcbc.com.au

Results will be posted on the Tipping Results thread when the competition starts and more detailed breakdown will be available at this web address:

http://www.tlcbc.com.au/tipping.htm

A big thanks to becareful who has done a lot of work as well behind the scenes to get this up and running!
Thanks mate.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-29 18:48 ]</font>

[Rain Lover]

Please can I play too!! Sounds like fun.

[TESTAROSSA]

EI and Becareful ,

Have to thank you on a job well done so far , and i'm sure i speak for everyone on the forum when i say thanks for taking on the initiative to start this competition and preparing to do the hard yards to keep it fun and interesting , because in the end thats what it's all about and hopefully it's what all the forum contributors are all about.

Once again many thanks and lets hope it all works out in the name of FUN!!!!

[Mark]

.....and me.

[malua]

Equine Investor if there is still space I would like to take part.

[Equine Investor]

So far we have:

1.Equine Investor
2.becareful
3.hermes
4.storm
5.Numerator
6.legion
7.trench digger
8.LONGBOW
9.michaelg
10.zetor
11.TESTAROSSA
12.thekey
13.mufcforever
14.shy
15.croft
16.midaswell
17.Tennesse Blue
18.Placegetter (I will track his tips myself as he is at a disadvantage with internet access etc and his method is quite simple).
19.schmucta80
20.wjp
21.INTERGAZE
22.Rain Lover
23.Mark
24.malua
25.wise one
26.TheDuck
27.Martin Friedman
28.Carol Friedman
29.Zev Friedman

:grin:


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-08-31 17:13 ]</font>

[wise one]

I would like to join also

bet wise bet smart

[TheDuck]

Hey!

I was away on vacation and it looks like all of you were having fun too!

I would be interested but only if you can provide me with some information. Is there a website (or two) with the races, horses and morning line? Being in Ontario, Canada it's difficult to see the tote board from here. :wink: But if you have that, count me in for sure.

And great work, becareful, on the website. Since all seems well in-hand I'll put my offer of assistance on the shelf. But if you need anyone to create auto-load scripts from the web or statistical analyses of how things are going (that's my day job, data warehouses and analysis) then I'll do what I can.

-Duck

P.S. What time zone are you in? I would say it's 4:24pm here now but that wouldn't help in the least. However, I am GMT-5. I need to know to meet the 11am deadlines. Thanx

[becareful]

TheDuck,

Thanks for comments re website - I think I have it all under control but I'll let you know if there are any problems!

Re. The Timezone - We are GMT+10. I presume you guys are still on Daylight Saving time at the moment since from the timestamp on your message it looks like we are 14 hours ahead of you (your 4:24pm Friday message is showing to us as 6:22am Saturday).

Can't help you with the "morning line" - the TAB sites have the race/horse details with form but not any price guide. See http://www.tabonline.com.au (this is Qld TAB) and click on the "tomorrows racing" link if you are trying before about 9am our time. Click on any of the runners to see their recent starts. There are also lots of more comprehensive form guides (eg http://www.ozeform.com) available. Unfortunately I dont know of any sites with morning prices - maybe someone else can help?

[shy]

The WA tab online (something like The West Online) has price forcasts included with all form. Sorry I haven't got the exact web address.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shy on 2002-08-31 10:16 ]</font>

[Equine Investor]

On 2002-08-31 06:22, TheDuck wrote:
But if you need anyone to create auto-load scripts from the web or statistical analyses of how things are going (that's my day job, data warehouses and analysis) then I'll do what I can.

-Duck


TheDuck,

Very nice of you to offer help all the way from Canada! You are very welcome to enter the competition and see how your methods apply to Australian racing. We would very much welcome your participation!

You mentioned about autoload scripts from the web. Well, becareful has amended his scripts he uses for his own systems to apply for the tipping competition, but can't really share them with anyone at this stage as they also contain his system rules and selection method.
Being a little "backward" when it comes to scripting in Visual Basic, if you could send me a quick example of how to retrieve data from the web and download it say to an excel program, I would very much appreciate it.
:wink:
If it's a big job, then don't spend too long on it. I just think it would be very handy and save many many hours of frustration.

To give you some idea of how our data is listed - visit http://www.tab.com.au/realodds/2002/8/31/index.html and click on any meeting and then a race.

You could send any ideas to mrdavidking@hotmail.com or just post them on the forum.

Thanks Duck,
Look forward to seeing your tips!

[croc]

The address for the WA site is:

wwww.tabform.thewest.com.au

Registration is free.

Good luck to all with the comp.

[Tipster]

Thanks to everyone who submitted trial tips for today. I will be posting results for todays trial after Belmont Race 8 (yes a couple of people tipped in that race!).

Just thought I would share the most popular picks of the day without naming any tipsters names.

Caulfield Race 3, 1 Bel Esprit (7 tips)
Caulfield Race 6, 1 Northerly (6 tips)
Rosehill Race 6, 1 Century Kid (5 tips)
Caulfield Race 6, 5 Fields of Omagh (3)
Doomben Race 6, 5 Levante (3)
Rosehill Race 8, 7 Bedouin (3)

Good luck to everyone!

[MartinFriedman]

The Friedman Family would love to be part of this competition as we already post outsider tips every week anyway for free. Those that are not aware, there are my wife, Carol; my son, Zev; and myself, Martin who are involved. Unfortunately, my daughter wants not a bar of racing.
As we only select outsiders that we believe have a good chance against the favourites, we would prefer each way (win & place) betting as we select many placegetters yet often some really good priced winners as well. Why don't we start the competition next week (7th Sept) as this thread was initiated too late for everybody to have been ready by today, including our family.
Also, we cannot be ready by 11.00am as we work on Saturdays mornings (early), but we can send the selections in by around noon. So long as the first selection is well before the start of the race (say by half-an-hour), then I cannot see any problems. Also, I agree with the 5 minimum selections per week for the reason originally given - to stop the one odd-longshot shooting the competition to bits.
Cheers,
Martin

[Equine Investor]

We are more than happy to have you on board Martin, but we have to have a cut off and be consistant to be fair to everyone.

Is it possible if you are working Saturday mornings that you could even send in your tips late Friday night?

Otherwise we have to extend the deadline and it's very difficult to set up the database for becareful to autodownload the stats from the tab website in time.

Also we received a few late scratching replacements which was fine for the trial, but we can't accept them after the cut off when we go "live".

As many may not be aware there is a lot of behind the scenes setting up involved EACH raceday and therefore everything is already in place by the time 12.00 rolls on.

Hope all can work within these boundaries as we are trying to be fair and consistant with everyone.

Good Luck!

[Equine Investor]

Thanks to everyone who took part in the trial and congratulations to LONGBOW who selected Crystal Finale at big odds.

Bugs have been ironed out and we are "live" from today.

Good Luck in the competition.

[Equine Investor]

Due to popular request, we will now accept your tips up to one hour ONLY before your first race.

For example, if you have your first selection at Melbourne race 6 which starts at 3:20pm - you will need to have ALL your selections in by 2:20PM.

We will only accept ONE email of selections per day, so if you have a scratching it is just a non-runner. No substitutes.

So for the Friedman family and others, this should help.

We don't really want to be recieving emails all day, so the sooner you can post your selections to us, the better. Remember that you can't just send emails for each race an hour before. The email must contain all your selections for the day at all venues.

Thanks.

[becareful]

Just a reminder of the "25 bet/week" rule. We will only accept your first 25 tips each week (we do not count scratchings). The purpose of this rule was to keep the amount of work for the "judges" to a reasonable level and also to prevent people trying to win just by submitting hundreds of tips. If you do select more than 25 bets in a week only the first 25 will be counted in the results/rankings.

Also we are still accepting new entrants and will continue to do so as long as you can satisfy the 65 bet minimum by the end of the competition (without breaking the 25 bet/week rule!).

A copy of the rules has been posted on the website at: http://www.tlcbc.com.au/tippingrules.htm

[Bozo]

Hi there.

I'm new to the forum and would like to join your tipping competition. I figure it will give me a chance to keep trying my luck at making sense of the form guide without making further unnecessary donations to the TAB.

Is the tipping confined to gallops or are dogs and trots also included?

[thevig]

I would like to have a go at the tipping competion too!

[thevig]

I would like to have a go at the tipping competion too!

[Equine Investor]

Everyone is welcome to join the competition and it's great that we have this much interest to date.

Makes me think it was all worthwhile.
:wink:

The competition is limited to gallops racing only at this stage.

[TheDuck]

Hello EI,

I have sent you an email with how to read web data into Excel. Provided you have the right version of Excel, it's so easy you won't believe it! :smile:

-Duck

[Equine Investor]

Many thankyous TheDuck,

I received the email and I am, disecting it with a fine tooth comb!

Your example was definitely a help, and thanks for explaining it so well and taking the time to go to the Tabcorp site for the example.

Much appreciated!

:grin:

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-09-06 05:21 ]</font>

[shy]

TheDuck, would you mind sending me that info on saving web info to excel. Sounds very helpful.
Thanks
shy

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shy on 2002-09-07 15:13 ]</font>

[becareful]

TheDuck,

I suspect you may be inundated with requests for that information. Would you mind if the information was posted on the tipping competition website as a download (to save you emailing it to a hundred people)?

[Big Louie]

Duck,

I'm also interested in how to read web data into Excel.

I think becareful has a point that you may be indundated with these requests.

Any info from you on the subject is greatly appreciated.

Thanks & regards,
Big Louie

[TheDuck]

Yes, becareful, go ahead. There's nothing proprietary about it or anything. I think that's a great idea to post this stuff on the competition website.

If EI hasn't forwarded the explanation on how to do it let me know and I'll send it to add to the download.

My 'day job' is data warehousing and analysis so acquiring, cleaning and categorizing data is something I have to stay on top of. Otherwise my consulting business gets tossed on the floor with the rest of the losing tickets! Excel is the way I cheat while the company hums and haws over the .5 million dollar price tag for a proper ETL tool. :smile:

-Duck

[becareful]

Thanks TheDuck.

For those that are interested I will post the info that TheDuck sent to EI on the website later today (when I get time) - it should be there by the time the tipping competition results are posted tonight.

Speaking of which please remember to get your tips in by 1 hour before your first selected race. Its looking like a big day with lots of tips already received so don't miss out!

[Tipster]

A good response today (so far - still expecting a few more entries for the later races) with 210 tips from 26 tipsters. According to our tipsters the best bets of the day are:

MR5 - 9 Innovation Girl (6 Tips)
SR4 - 1 Victory Vein (6)
MR6 - 2 Northerly (6)
MR3 - 5 Auckland Blues (6)
SR6 - 6 Red Trinket (5)

Best of luck everyone - results will be posted after the last race at Belmont.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: tipster on 2002-09-07 12:06 ]</font>

[becareful]

That info that The Duck sent on getting Web data into Excel is now available from the tipping web site.

Congratulations to our Tipping Competitions leaders after the end of week 1:

WIN PROFIT: 1.Hermes, 2.QTab, 3.Becareful :smile:
WIN POT: 1.Hermes, 2.QTab, 3.TheKey
PLACE PROFIT: 1.TheKey, 2.QTab, 3.Mark
PLACE POT: 1. TheKey, 2.Malua, 3.MagicFlute
E/W PROFIT: 1.Hermes, 2.QTab, 3.TheKey
STRIKE RATE: 1.Shy, 2.EquineInvestor, 3.RainLover

[Equine Investor]

Congratulations Hermes, well done!

How do I get to the tipping web sight.
I would like a copy of the info getting web data into excel or could TheDuck send me a copy.
ConstantineDblc@aol.com
Any one know what the a stands for in aodds in the Wizard

[Equine Investor]

The tipping website address is

http://www.tlcbc.com.au/tipping.htm

becareful has put the information of web data into excel on there.

Cheers.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-09-08 10:46 ]</font>

[Equine Investor]

Congratulations to hermes still leading the competition after two weeks!

The ever consistant shy gets an honourable mention for her great place strike rate and third place behind the QTAB ratings.

Great to see continuing interest, the next few weeks should see some smoothing out of the rankings as consistency will be the true test.

Please don't forget there is a minimum of five tips per week and a maximum of 25.

For those interested, it's still not too late to join in the fun. There are many on negative figures (including me :sad:), so plenty of room to jump up the rankings.

Have fun all!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Equine Investor on 2002-09-17 01:56 ]</font>

[Equine Investor]

A big congratulations to Zev Friedman (Friedman Family outsiders fame) who is now on top in the competition.

Well Done Zev!

:grin:

[becareful]

Due to the late finish of the night racing tonight the results for today will be posted tomorrow morning.

[Equine Investor]

Congratulations to Orbit57 leading the competition at the half-way mark.

Closeley followed by Rogan Josh, Becareful and WJP.

Can they go the distance, or will someone finish over the top with a late run?
:wink:

Just a note that we are only covering Gallops races at the moment - no Greyhounds or Trots because of the late finishes and extra workload involved.

Maybe next time.

[Rogan Josh]

Hey Hermes, me thinks you are patiently awaiting one or some of us to get near your $23.50 profit, but in the end you still need to meet the minimum tipping requirement. So why all the suspense - make your profit even harder to beat!

[Sarge]

Count me in too.

[Sarge]

Count me in too.

[Rain Lover]

I had a quick look at the figures after Round 6, last weekend. Total win dividends (all punters)on 417 winners was $2,045 after 2,554 bets. So we are only selecting one in six winners and running at -20% POT, just a shade worse than the TAB skim. Place tote was a shade better, 1,033 winners from 2,554 bets to total $2,165.80 in divvys. 40% payers but still a 15% loss.
We, as a group, are more average than your average punter!!

[MartinFriedman]

Tipping Competition Tips for Saturday 2 November 2002, for the Friedman Family Outsiders.

Martin's tips are marked (*M)
Carol's tips are marked (*C)
Zev's tips are marked (*Z)

Sydney (Rosehill):
race 3, #11 Campbell's Run (*M), #4 Architrave (*C), #10 Sentimental
Tour (*Z)
race 4, #12 Ripon By (*M), #1 Plea (*C), #4 Onyx (*Z)
race 6, #8 Tycoon Jester (*M), #5 Medicine (*C), #6 Musical Beat (*Z)
race 7, #5 Majestically (*M), #1 Restless (*C), #6 Helsinborg (*Z)

Melbourne (Flemington):
race 1, #3 Palladium Star (*M), #4 Mowerman (*C), #6 Karamazou (*Z)
race 2, #1 Choisir (*M), #6 Titanic Jack (*C), #7 El Capitan (*Z)
race 3, #16 Miss Meliss (*M), #9 Requiem (*C), #14 Lester Thunderwing
(*Z)
race 4, #1 Hosannah (*M), #5 Gold Lottey (*C), #2 Miss Zoe (*Z)
race 5, #10 Just Fame (*M), #3 Milanova (*C), #8 Bulla Borghese (*Z)
race 6, #10 Diamond Jake (*M), #11 Zylvester (*C), #8 Sir Pentire (*Z)
race 7, #3 Bedouin (*M), #8 Pentastic (*C), #9 Distinctly Secret (*Z)
race 8, #13 Phoenix Park (*M), #6 Umrum (*C), #12 Belle Du Jour (*Z)
race 9, #10 Lord Volksraad (*M), #6 Stormy's Son (*C), #3 True Glo (*Z)

Cheers,
Martin

[MartinFriedman]

Tipping Competition Tips for Saturday 2 November 2002, for the Friedman Family Outsiders.

Martin's tips are marked (*M)
Carol's tips are marked (*C)
Zev's tips are marked (*Z)

Sydney (Rosehill):
race 3, #11 Campbell's Run (*M), #4 Architrave (*C), #10 Sentimental
Tour (*Z)
race 4, #12 Ripon By (*M), #1 Plea (*C), #4 Onyx (*Z)
race 6, #8 Tycoon Jester (*M), #5 Medicine (*C), #6 Musical Beat (*Z)
race 7, #5 Majestically (*M), #1 Restless (*C), #6 Helsinborg (*Z)

Melbourne (Flemington):
race 1, #3 Palladium Star (*M), #4 Mowerman (*C), #6 Karamazou (*Z)
race 2, #1 Choisir (*M), #6 Titanic Jack (*C), #7 El Capitan (*Z)
race 3, #16 Miss Meliss (*M), #9 Requiem (*C), #14 Lester Thunderwing
(*Z)
race 4, #1 Hosannah (*M), #5 Gold Lottey (*C), #2 Miss Zoe (*Z)
race 5, #10 Just Fame (*M), #3 Milanova (*C), #8 Bulla Borghese (*Z)
race 6, #10 Diamond Jake (*M), #11 Zylvester (*C), #8 Sir Pentire (*Z)
race 7, #3 Bedouin (*M), #8 Pentastic (*C), #9 Distinctly Secret (*Z)
race 8, #13 Phoenix Park (*M), #6 Umrum (*C), #12 Belle Du Jour (*Z)
race 9, #10 Lord Volksraad (*M), #6 Stormy's Son (*C), #3 True Glo (*Z)

Cheers,
Martin

[MartinFriedman]

..
Tipping Competition for Saturday 16 November 2002, for the Friedman Family Outsiders.

Martin's tips are marked (*M)
Carol's tips are marked (*C)
Zev's tips are marked (*Z)

Sydney (Rosehill):
race 3, #7 Architrave (*M), #8 Lion Pride (*C), #5 Force Zulu (*Z)
race 4, #13 Tyrrell (*M), #9 Priscilla (*C), #12 Stark Touch (*Z)
race 6, #4 Terrible Taurus (*M), #11 Terrific Taurus (*C), #5 Lanolin (*Z)
race 7, #12 Straight Back (*M), #13 Think On (*C), #1 Typhoon (*Z)

Melbourne (Sandown):
race 5, #7 Magic Bird (*M), #4 Lawson's Storm (*C), #6 Glefti (*Z)
race 6, #11 Hill Of Grace (*M), #6 Prince Hal (*C), #10 Rediness (*Z)
race 7, #13 Spring Warrior (*M), #6 Flavour (*C), #11 Another Warrior (*Z)
race 8, #5 Shovoff (*M), #3 Ramano's Star (*C), #8 Franjelica (*Z)

Cheers,
Martin
...

[Equine Investor]

To all involved in the tipping competition, it ends after the last race Saturday 30/11/2002.

Good Luck to everyone!

I might take this opportunity to thank all who took part and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have (even though I'm still showing a loss).

It sure has been interesting though!

I would also like to thank becareful for running everything in such a professional and honest manner. Without his hard work and input, it certainly would not have been half as successful as it has been.

He gave up much of his time to devote to making things run smoothly (even through illness he still made sure things ran without a hitch) and I for one appreciate that sort of dedication for no reward.

Thanks becareful!