A crap few days
February already ... great.
Goodbye and good riddance to January - my second worst month ever punting. A nice end (not) by getting too cute on the ODI last night - had backed Sri Lanka at the off, watched them get to 140/1 after about 23 overs, and normally I'd back South Africa at this point and lock in a guaranteed profit no matter the result. But oh no, I decide for once to let the bet ride and watch as they get bowled out for 222 and the Saffers win in a canter.
I was distracted by Hong Kong races at the same time - for those who aren't quite aware, my other line of income is by rating HK horse races for a syndicate who bet on an exotic bet over there called the Triple Trio(TT). What that involves is picking the first three horses (any order) in three races - harder than it seems. Last night was the Chinese New Year meeting and the TT had a 20 million (HKD) jackpot. Even if the HK dollar is worth about 0.2 NZD, it's still worth chasing. HK races are broadcast on NZ TV now, so I could watch the syndicate's money go down the gurgler as a 38/1 shot won the second leg with an 88/1 shot coming second. Everybody else's money went down as well, meaning there's a 48 million starting pool in the weekend and another couple of days watching videos for me coming up.
At times it's like having two jobs, and if I count the list of Orienteering things to do more like three. At times they conflict, like a couple of days ago when preoccupied with rating races I forgot about the start of the third Pakistan-India cricket test. I had intended to go against the draw, and remembered around start time, so got up Cricinfo to find Pakistan 0-3 (that's 0 runs and 3 wickets) after 1 over. It's at times like this the cat is in severe danger of a good kicking, but after a couple of choice F words I settle down and remind myself while it is an opportunity lost, in punting land there are always more opportunities around the corner.
So it hasn't been a great few days, or month for that matter. But I think to be a reasonable punter you have to remain optimistic and have faith - that may come as a surprise to some acquantainces who find me a sad, cynical bastard - and I've been through other rough patches and come through them. The day where the negative thoughts outweigh the positive ones is the day you should consider giving up, or at least taking a break.
So roll on February. West Indies here in NZ (they'll get thrashed), Six Nations rugby (allez les blues) and Super 14 (the Canes all the way) is all coming up. Can't wait, as it gives me a chance to get rid of that red figure that is currently occupying my P/L column.
Goodbye and good riddance to January - my second worst month ever punting. A nice end (not) by getting too cute on the ODI last night - had backed Sri Lanka at the off, watched them get to 140/1 after about 23 overs, and normally I'd back South Africa at this point and lock in a guaranteed profit no matter the result. But oh no, I decide for once to let the bet ride and watch as they get bowled out for 222 and the Saffers win in a canter.
I was distracted by Hong Kong races at the same time - for those who aren't quite aware, my other line of income is by rating HK horse races for a syndicate who bet on an exotic bet over there called the Triple Trio(TT). What that involves is picking the first three horses (any order) in three races - harder than it seems. Last night was the Chinese New Year meeting and the TT had a 20 million (HKD) jackpot. Even if the HK dollar is worth about 0.2 NZD, it's still worth chasing. HK races are broadcast on NZ TV now, so I could watch the syndicate's money go down the gurgler as a 38/1 shot won the second leg with an 88/1 shot coming second. Everybody else's money went down as well, meaning there's a 48 million starting pool in the weekend and another couple of days watching videos for me coming up.
At times it's like having two jobs, and if I count the list of Orienteering things to do more like three. At times they conflict, like a couple of days ago when preoccupied with rating races I forgot about the start of the third Pakistan-India cricket test. I had intended to go against the draw, and remembered around start time, so got up Cricinfo to find Pakistan 0-3 (that's 0 runs and 3 wickets) after 1 over. It's at times like this the cat is in severe danger of a good kicking, but after a couple of choice F words I settle down and remind myself while it is an opportunity lost, in punting land there are always more opportunities around the corner.
So it hasn't been a great few days, or month for that matter. But I think to be a reasonable punter you have to remain optimistic and have faith - that may come as a surprise to some acquantainces who find me a sad, cynical bastard - and I've been through other rough patches and come through them. The day where the negative thoughts outweigh the positive ones is the day you should consider giving up, or at least taking a break.
So roll on February. West Indies here in NZ (they'll get thrashed), Six Nations rugby (allez les blues) and Super 14 (the Canes all the way) is all coming up. Can't wait, as it gives me a chance to get rid of that red figure that is currently occupying my P/L column.
posted by Rob Crawford at 9:57 AM
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