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Sizzling Poulter snatches WGC win

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 04 November 2012 | 23.01

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Pumped up Poulter ... the Englishman heads Down Under on top form. Source: Mark Ralston / AFP

Englishman Ian Poulter will arrive for his Australian Masters defence in the form of his life after snatching victory in the WGC-HSBC Champions event.

The Ryder Cup hero started the last round four off the pace at China's Mission Hills, but crafted eight birdies against a lone bogey - on the penultimate hole.

He sealed a nerve-jangling, two-shot win with a steely par putt on the last hole.

Poulter fired rounds of 69, 68, 65 and 65 for a total score of 21-under-par 267, with Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Jason Dufner and Scott Piercy sharing second place on a congested leaderboard.

Australian Adam Scott hit a final-round 67 to finish four shots off the pace in a tie for eighth with defending champion Matin Kaymer, one shot behind overnight leaders Louis Oosthuizen and Lee Westwood - who both faltered with last round 72s on the Olazabal Course.

Poulter claimed the $US1.2 million ($A1.16 million) winner's cheque with his first individual win of the season, and the 15th of his career - just a month after playing a key role in Europe's come-from-behind Ryder Cup triumph at Medinah.

His next assignment will be the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath from November 15-18 where he is the reigning champion.


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Key questions facing Wallabies

Big questions ... The Wallabies' spring European tour is a big moment in Kurtley Beale's future Source: AAP

From David Pocock to Kurtley Beale, it is a defining month for Australian rugby. Iain Payten looks at the key issues on the spring tour.

1. Is Kurtley Beale the long-term answer at five-eighth?

November shapes as a defining tour for Beale. After a poor start to the Rugby Championship at fullback, Beale turned in three assured performances at No. 10.

Beale is a superb ball-player, capable of creating numbers with his step and speed, but on the softer grounds of Europe, the Rebels star must also demonstrate a clever kicking game; carving out field position for his forwards.

Berrick Barnes's goalkicking is an asset, so don't discount his possible return to fullback.

2 Can the Wallabies get the best out of David Pocock and Michael Hooper?

Don't hold your breath to see them start together. These two outstanding openside flankers both deserve the No. 7 jersey, but only one can wear it. To have both short blokes in the side not only takes out a lineout option but leaves the Wallabies under-gunned for the physical clashes.

Robbie Deans has shown a willingness to use two opensides in the last half-hour, when most Test matches are won and lost.

The big question is who starts? Pocock won't be ready to play France and will return via the bench against England, with Hooper starting.

Pocock will likely get his chance with starts against Italy and Wales.

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3. Can the Wallabies' re-discover their running game?

They showed great character to finish second in the Rugby Championship, but even a cursory glance at the stats leaves you asking how.

The Wallabies scored the fewest  tries, averaging just one a game, and managed to conjure less than one linebreak per game. Only Argentina scored fewer points.

Injuries robbed the side of several key attackers like Will Genia and James O'Connor.

Only solid defence and the goalkicking of Barnes and Mike Harris turned what could have been a disastrous tournament into a second-place finish.

The Wallabies' backs have to turn to Beale and winger Digby Ioane for half-breaks, and keep bold young centre Ben Tapuaii in the team.

4. Will this tour matter ahead for the British and Irish Lions showdown next year?

You bet - for both the Wallabies and their UK opponents, England and Wales. Deans and Lions coach Warren Gatland will be looking to see which of their prospective troops for next year's series display the willingness to stand up and fight for their jersey.

Lions tours are brutal affairs. Hard men are required, and this month's tour is a perfect audition for the Wallabies.

5. What chance a Wallabies slip-up, and where will it come from?

The Wallabies have an annoying tendency to play like superstars when backed into a corner, only to clock off when the pressure has eased.

So pencil in the clash with Italy as Australia's potential banana skin.

The Azzurri travel overseas as well as a banana at the bottom of a backpack, but at home, with the crowd at their back and a friendly ref swayed by the atmosphere, the Italians can be tricky. They almost beat Australia in Florence in 2010 - only Barnes' goalkicking saved the day - and with improved discipline, they could be dangerous.

Need we mention the precedents - Scotland 2009 and 2012, Samoa 2011?

6. Could a bad tour see Robbie Deans sacked?

Nope. The pressure that existed on Deans' job in TRC was not as cut-throat as commonly believed, with many of the ARU board remaining strong supporters.

A second-placed finish and the draw with New Zealand in Brisbane gave the ARU board all the evidence it needed to stick with Deans for the last year of his contract in 2013.


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Adelaide frustrate Roar to go top

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Tussle ... Thomas Broich and Dario Vidosic battle for the ball at Suncorp Stadium. Source: Darren England / News Limited

Dario Vidosic boosted his prospects of a Socceroos call-up with a brilliant free kick to shoot Adelaide United to the top of A-League ladder with a 1-0 win over Brisbane on Sunday.

The loss was the Roar's second straight at Suncorp Stadium, continuing the club's worst start to an A-League season and leaving them anchored near the bottom of the ladder.

Vidosic's third-minute free kick clipped the top of the defensive wall before avoiding the outstretched fingers of Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo, giving Adelaide the perfect start.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Adelaide 5 4 0 1 5 12
2 Central Coast 5 3 1 1 6 10
3 Perth 5 3 0 2 2 9
4 Newcastle 5 3 0 2 0 9
5 Western Sydney 5 2 1 2 0 7
6 Sydney 5 2 0 3 -6 6
7 Wellington 4 1 2 1 0 5
8 Brisbane 5 1 1 3 2 4
9 Heart 5 1 1 3 -3 4
10 Victory 4 1 0 3 -6 3

The visitors then withstood an avalanche of shots from Brisbane, including one from Roar midfielder Mitch Nicholls, who blew a chance to convert from point blank range in the 14th minute of the clash.

Vidosic's classy strike, from a metre outside the box, would have impressed national coach Holger Osieck who has bobbed up at A-League matches across the country this weekend scouting talent for his Socceroos squad to play a friendly against South Korea next week.

With his father and Roar coach Rado Vidosic watching on from the sidelines, the United striker's celebration was muted.

"When I played here (Brisbane) I was voted the fans' favourite, so I have respect for them also with my dad being the coach," said the Adelaide striker.

"I've played with a lot of those guys (Brisbane players), they're my friends and I've got my friends and family here so that respect is there.

"The mailman doesn't celebrate every time he delivers, it's his job."

Despite a mountain of possession Brisbane never recovered - German Thomas Broich, Albanian gun Berisha Besart, fellow import Henrique and Nicholls all missing opportunities to score the equaliser.

United "keeper Eugene Galekovic came up with the play of the game in the 53rd minute with his cat-like reflexes denying Erik Partaalu's header.

Partaalu's nod appeared to have snuck past Galekovic before he reached back and grabbed the ball with one hand.

"It was just instinctive, it was a reflex save," the Adelaide gloveman said.


Re-live all the action from the clash, including all the stats that matter, at our A-League Match Centre!


"We got an early goal up to get on the front foot and then toughed it out."

The win moves Adelaide two point clear on the A-League ladder and continues their resurgence under coach John Kosmina.

Brisbane coach Vidosic refused to be critical of his players after conceding an early goal.

"I cannot question the effort, the effort was fantastic," he said.

"Apparently this is our worst start to an A-League season in history, what can you say?"

Adelaide defended resolutely but their coach John Kosmina denied that was the game plan.

"We didn't come here to defend," he said.

"Eugene was fantastic, Daniel Bowles (right fullback) looked outstanding and he is only a young kid."

Kosmina was mystified why striker Sergio Van Dijk was disallowed a goal in the 53rd minute after some shoving in the box, which resulted in Brisbane being awarded a free kick.

"You can ask the referee but I've got no idea what it was for," he said.

"You wouldn't get a free kick for that in a netball game, it wouldn't even be called contact."


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Quiney rushed into Australia squad

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Back-up man ... prolific Victoria batsman Rob Quiney is in the squad. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

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Late-blooming Victoria batsman Rob Quiney is set to make his Test debut at the Gabba after being rushed into the Australia squad for an injured Shane Watson.

Quiney, 30, is on his way to Brisbane on Sunday night and will meet up with teammates when they assemble ahead of Friday's Test against South Africa.

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"It's a massive opportunity to join the squad heading into such an important series," Quiney said.

Watson admitted he was unlikely to be fit to play after re-injuring the calf muscle he tore in England earlier this year.

National Selector John Inverarity said: "The National Selection Panel has named Rob Quiney to be on standby for Shane Watson who injured his calf whilst playing for New South Wales against Queensland.

"A decision on Shane is likely to be made earlier rather than later.

"Rob Quiney has impressed the NSP with his performances in all formats in recent years. He was particularly impressive in the Australia A game that concluded at the SCG today (Sunday)."

Watson confirmed he is an unlikely Test starter - because of his lengthy injury history.

His latest calf inury itself is not serious, but Watson knows his lengthy catalogue of injuries is counting against him and he does not want to miss the second or third Tests.

"It's not as bad (as it's been), it's only pretty minor but I know how things can go if you don't really look after it and get it right the first time,'' Watson said.

"I'll be certainly making sure I get it right the first time.

"It's still a little bit stiff, I'm just hoping it settles down over the next couple of days."


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'If it ain't broke, why fix it?'

Pandemonium ... Wanderers supporters were delighted with their side's first home win. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich is joined by Central Coast Mariners defender Patrick Zwaanswijk to review the weekend's A-League action, with Bozza praising Western Sydney Wanderers for getting it right so quickly.

Adelaide United 1 defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at Suncorp Stadium

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Bozza says: It was a very good free kick from Vidosic that separated the two sides, although it was a bit fortunate to take a deflection. I was a little bit startled that Rado Vidosic said at the end of the game that Adelaide's early goal 'pretty much killed us'. In past seasons, that for me would have inspired them. A few problems up there for Vidosic. The Roar aren't playing at the same tempo and the same pace for the whole game, especially in that last third. It's very, very important, especially when you play the ball around like the Roar, that when you're up in that last third you increase the tempo because there's some very good defences in the A-League and they'll be comfortable if the Roar don't play with more pace. The tackle on Berisha wasn't a penalty.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: Brisbane had plenty of chances. They created a lot but they didn't have that many shots on goal. The Roar copped an early goal and then Adelaide dropped behind the ball and defended in numbers and the Roar need to be prepared for that because that's what sides will try to do once they get a lead.


Perth Glory 3 defeated Newcastle Jets 2 at NiB Stadium

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Bozza says: Fantastic game. I think it was the game of the round. I think Van Egmond would be disappointed the Jets didn't at least pick up a point out of it. I thought they deserved a point. Both sides really had a go at each other. The Jets had enough chances not only to get a point, but probably to win the game and they came away with nothing. It was another really exciting game. Perth came back really well from last week's disappointment against Sydney. You can understand exactly where Van Egmond was coming from, saying he was pleased with the performance, but I think he wouls have had a quiet word to his players to say he was disappointed they didn't at least get a draw.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: Perth always give 100 per cent and are a very good team. If you can go with them and match them physically you can pick up the three points but the Glory always give it all in that respect.


Western Sydney Wanderers 2 defeated Melbourne Heart 1 at Parramatta Stadium

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Bozza says: The Wanderers are going really well and it was great to see them get their first win in front of their home fans. There's a bit of talk about their attack not being good enough but I don't see any need for them to change the way they play. Why fix something that's not broken? They didn't win for their first three games but they only really needed to give it a slight tweak, which they did. Poppa's made it very clear he's going to build his side from the back. And his triumvirate of the goalkeeper and two central defenders have been outstanding. They're starting to really come in to their own. If they could add perhaps a little bit more quality up front - maybe a striker or a wide man - just to help their squad depth, they're going to be a real threat. I believe that. Joey Gibbs has been excellent since he's come in. He can hold the ball up, he's mobile and he adds another dimension to their play.

Patrick Zwaanswijk says: We don't have to keep talking about the Wanderers as a young side because there's a salary cap and there's only a few clubs with a bit of extra money that go outside that. They've got Aaron Mooy and Shinji Ono, who control the team well, they're defensively hard to break down, they've got experienced players at the back and experienced players at the front. So, yeah, they're a young team but the players within the team have got experience.


Central Coast Mariners 7 defeated Sydney FC 2 at Bluetongue Stadium

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Bozza says: Ian Crook said last night that his players didn't lack heart, well I'm not sure based on that game that he should have said that. It's not good enough. Sydney's one of the truly big clubs in this country, and I mean that judging by support and success, and they can not continue to serve that up to supporters and expect them to keep coming back watching and paying their hard earned money. They've got a massive job this week to show they can come back from this.

Watch the A-League, Live and Exclusive, and in stunning High Definition, on Fox Sports!


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Bozza's Save of the Week, R5

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Eugene Galekovic ... pulled off a stunning reflex save against Brisbane Roar. Source: Tim Marsden / AAP

Adelaide United produced a fine defensive performance to defeat Brisbane Roar 1-0 on Sunday and go top of the A-League.

No one was more impressive at the back than Reds shot-stopper Eugene Galekovic, who gets the gong for Bozza's Save of the Week for Round Five.


Click on the video at the top to see the block Bozza nominated as Save of the Week and tune in to Sunday Shootout on Fox Sports 1HD every Sunday for analysis of every round of A-League.


Although there were a number of worthy entries in round five, Bozza was of the view that Galekovic deserved the award for his outstanding reflex stop to deny Eric Paartalu's point-blank header when the Roar started to pile on the pressure in the second half.

"He was absolutely outstanding," Bosnich said of the  veteran goalkeeper.

"That save was as good as any you will see over the whole weekend in world football.

"His initial position was out and it made him recover. It's what we call a miracle save."

At the end of each round of A-League action, Fox Sports Football expert Mark Bosnich will nominate his Save of the Week on Sunday Shootout.


Did you think Galekovic's save was the best from all the games in A-League round five? Leave a comment below to have your say on Bozza's pick!


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Wacky guide to the Cup

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Anyone can win ... the Melbourne Cup attracts an interesting bunch. Source: Craig Borrow / News Limited

It's on again. The race that stops the nation getting any work done for a day. So who's going to win?

Most form guides are a bit tricky for the average person to decipher because they're full of bewildering racing jargon. But not this one, as Anthony Sharwood gives you Australia's naughtiest Melbourne Cup form guide for the famous two-miler.

1. Dunaden (Barrier 16) Craig Williams 59kg

2. Americain (12) D Oliver 58kg

3. Jakkalberry (19) Colm O'Donoghue 55.5kg

4. Red Cadeaux (18) M Rodd 55.5kg

5. Winchester (22) J Mott 55.5kg

6. Voila Ici (13) V Duric 55kg

7. Cavalryman (6) L Dettori 54kg

8. Mount Athos (8) Ryan Moore 54kg

9. Sanagas (4) Nicholas Hall 54kg

10. Ethiopia (14) R McLeod 53.5kg

11. Fiorente (2) J B McDonald 53.5kg

12. Galileo's Choice (11) P J Smullen 53.5kg

13. Glencadam Gold (7) Tommy Berry 53.5kg

14. Green Moon (5) B Prebble 53.5kg

15. Maluckyday (9) J A Cassidy 53.5kg

16. Mourayan (3) J Bowman 53.5kg

17. My Quest For Peace (1) C W Brown 53.5kg

18. Niwot (15) D Dunn 53.5kg

19. Tac De Boistron (21) O Dolueze 53.5kg

20. Lights Of Heaven (17) L Nolen 53kg

21. Precedence (20) B Shinn 53kg

22. Unusual Suspect (23) G Schofield 53kg

23. Zabeelionaire (24) C Newitt 52kg

24. Kelinni (10) G Boss 51kg

1. Dunaden
Trainer: Mikel Delzangles. Barrier: 16.
Odds: $7. Jockey: Craig Williams
This hideously ugly Gallic beast won last year's Melbourne Cup by a tiny hair protruding from its enormous Gallic nostril. On its return to Australia this year, it then arrogantly won the Caulfield Cup. Dunaden subsists entirely on oat croissants cooked by Gabriel Gate, a leaden diet which has helped him prepare for the massive task of trying to win this year's Melbourne Cup carrying 59kg.

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2. Americain
Trainer: Alain de Royer-Dupre. Barrier: 12.
Odds: $5. Jockey: Damien Oliver
Ah Americain, you've done it again! Well, that's what punters hope. The 2010 winner ran an unlucky fourth in 2011 and is a clear favourite to win in 2012. His main problem, like his French comptariot Dunaden, is weight. Rounding the home turn, American is going to feel more bogged-down than the pizza guy delivering to the Rinehart mansion.

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3. Jakkalberry
Trainer: Marco Botti. Barrier: 19.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Colm O'Donoghue
This slow, clumsy animal has raced in six different countries, not because he is a world-beater but because other horses keep making fun of him. When the swift French horses pass this ponderous nag in the straight, they yell out the classic Monty Python line "your mother was a hamster and your father smells of jakkalberries"! At least his trainer has a name you could never make fun of. His surname is "Botti".

4. Red Cadeaux
Trainer: Ed Dunlop. Barrier: 18.
Odds: $9. Jockey: Michael Rodd
Remember that higgs boson particle scientists discovered recently? They have since found that Red Cadeaux lost this race last year by approximately a short-half higgs boson, even though that's actually impossible. No one is talking much about this English visitor this year, which is actually a good sign as it's amazing how often the forgotten horse wins the Melbourne Cup.

5. Winchester
Trainer: John Sadler. Barrier: 22.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Jamie Mott
Like Major Charles Winchester from the TV series MASH, this seven-year-old horse has both American and European lineage and is stubborn as a mule. Winchester is easy to spot in his bright red silks, which will make it all the more infuriating for his backers to watch him storm home from near the tail of the field into his customary 6th or 7th place.

6. Voila Ici
Trainer: Peter Moody. Barrier: 13.
Odds: $101. Jockey: Vlad Duric
Despite his pretentious French name, this horse is not actually French. On the evidence of recent years, that means he's no hope of winning this race. Voila Ici likes to race near the lead, so at least you'll get a glimpse of it before it collapses in a heap. If you draw him in the office sweep, your only hope is to turn the TV off halfway through the race and hope nobody reads the papers.

7. Cavalryman
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor. Barrier: 6.
Odds: $51. Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Dubai has built the world's tallest building, an indoor ski slope in a shopping mall and an unbelievably flash racecourse where the world's wealthiest stable is based. All that cash, yet they've never won Melbourne Cup. They'll go home trophyless again this year, as will superjockey Frankie Dettori, because Cavalryman is a hack who hasn't raced since September and spends far too much time duty-free shopping.

8. Mount Athos
Trainer: Luca Cumani. Barrier: 8.
Odds: $8.50. Jockey: Ryan Moore
British trainer Luca Cumani is the father of the gorgeous Francesca, who bobs up on Channel Seven's coverage making Bruce McAvaney's fondness for the word "delicious" seem appropriate for once. The stable keeps sending horses here and keeps narrowly missing. One day they'll strike, and you sense the ever-improving Mount Athos will go ever so deliciously close.

9. Sanagas
Trainer: Bart Cummings. Barrier: 4.
Odds: $51. Jockey: Nicholas Hall
Not even the maestro Bart Cummings has been able to do much with this American horse which has run 13th, 10th, last and 10th in its four Australian outings. Bart is famous for turning horses with average form into Melbourne Cup winners, but it's hard to see this horse being nearly good enough. It's much more likely that he'll lose two A's from his name and be "snags" by Tuesday evening.

10. Ethiopia
Trainer: Pat Carey. Barrier: 14.
Odds: $19. Jockey: Rhys Mcleod
This small poverty-stricken African nation has assumed an equine form in a bold bid to bring home some much-needed foreign currency. This is quite a brilliant idea given Ethopia's proud record in producing long distance Olympic track champions. Ethiopia won the Australian Derby in Sydney and ran well in the Cox Plate last week. But it's harder to see him winning this than it is to spell Haile Gebrselassie.

11. Fiorente
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse. Barrier: 2.
Odds: $26. Jockey: James McDonald
This young improving stayer has been transferred to the Gai Waterhouse stable after running some decent races in England. It could probably win, but ask yourself: Do you really want to see Gai Waterhouse gushing if it does? Do you really want Tom Waterhouse going on about how clever his Mummy is? If Fiorente hits the lead in the straight, tackle it.

12. Galileo's Choice
Trainer: Dermot Weld. Barrier: 11.
Odds: $19. Jockey: Pat Smullen
Only canny Irish trainer Dermot Weld would subject punters to this sort of dilemma. This Irish steed was formerly a jumps horse, and jumps horses are notoriously slow compared to their flat-race counterparts. But the man who won this race with Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle knows what he's doing. Like Galileo's detractors, you'd have to think the world is flat to give this seven-year-old no chance.

13. Glencadam Gold
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse. Barrier: 7.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Tommy Berry
Another Gai Waterhouse runner, which strung together an impressive sequence of four wins in NSW before flopping badly as favourite in the Caulfield Cup. This horse is a leader, so he'll be easy to spot at the front of the pack for much of the race, and just as easy to spot at the rear of the field when he starts going backwards in the straight.

14. Green Moon
Trainer: Robert Hickmott. Barrier: 5.
Odds: $17. Jockey: Brett Prebble
A blue moon is a second full moon in a month, which is quite a rare event. A Green Moon is a horse which is vastly inferior to Purple Moon, the horse which ran second to Efficient in 2007. Green Moon has won some decent races over distances ranging from 1600m to 2300m, but anyone who thinks he can run the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup is a lunatic. Don't be fooled by his relatively short odds.

15. Maluckyday
Trainer: Hawkes family. Barrier: 9.
Odds: $13. Jockey: Jim Cassidy
The 2010 runner-up has a lot of admirers this year, and is one of the least slow of the lumbering local horses. Jockey Jim 'Pumper' Cassidy is versatile, having won this race leading on Might And Power in 1997, and storming home from last on Kiwi way back in 1983. But Pumper's best is probably behind him, and you can say the same thing with confidence about this horse.

16. Mourayan
Trainer: Robert Hickmott. Barrier: 3.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Not to be confused with Mourilyan, who ran third in 2009, this former Irish horse has now been based in Australia for two years and is definitely the forgotten horse of the spring. Problem is, he's so forgotten that he's actually forgotten he's a horse himself. If he remembers to sleep in a stable Monday night instead of playing the pokies at Crown, he'll run a great race.

17. My Quest For Peace
Trainer: Luca Cumani. Barrier: 1.
Odds: $26. Jockey: Corey Brown
Horse racing people say the silliest things. This English import had a lovely, easy run in the Caulfield Cup. He sat behind the leader, then popped off the fence and burst to the lead at the top of the straight yet wilted into fifth place. He seriously could not have had a better run, yet his jockey said he "hit the front too early". Quest for peace? Quest for sanity, more like it.

18. Niwot
Trainer: Team Hawkes. Barrier: 15.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
The good news is, he was the first Australian horse across the line last year when he finished 8th. The bad news is, seven international horses beat him and the raiders appear stronger in 2012. His name spells "to win" backwards, which is nice in theory, but they could change it from Niwot to "Pal Rahp" and he still wouldn't be half good enough to win this.

19. Tac De Boistron
Trainer: Mick Kent. Barrier: 21.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Olivier Doleuze
This unusual beast has developed such a fondness for tic tacs that its coat has turned whitish grey. A slow, miserable plodding creature who ran sixth out of seven in the Geelong Cup, he will have an excellent view of every other horse's rump for the entire race, and will return to its stable in need of a good rub down, a lecture in existentialist philosophy and a nice pail of minty oats.

20. Lights Of Heaven
Trainer: Peter Moody. Barrier: 17.
Odds: $26. Jockey: Luke Nolen
Black Caviar's trainer saddles up a top horse here with Black Caviar's jockey aboard. Problem is, Black Caviar is a sprinter and the jockey will likely pull up after his first trip past the winning post. Also, Black Caviar keeps stealing this horse's oats in the stables. In truth, Lights Of Heaven looks the best of the Aussie horses. His third in the Caulfield Cup, holding off Americain, was excellent.

21. Precedence
Trainer: Bart Cummings. Barrier: 20.
Odds: $101. Jockey: Blake Shinn
On the positive side, he was the second Australian horse home last year in 11th spot. On the negative side, the international horses sped past him so fast he is lucky he didn't catch equine influenza. On the positive side, he is trained by Bart Cummings and has the services of a former Cup-winning jockey. On the negative side, his last win was over a mile and he'll be hailing a cab at the halfway point.

22. Unusual Suspect
Trainer: Mick Kent. Barrier: 23.
Odds: $301. Jockey: Glyn Schofield
His last win was in November 2010 at Hollywood Park, United States, but not even the most creative Hollywood screen writer could pen a plot for him to win this. He's old, slow, bad-tempered and still thinks Craig Thomson is an eminent parliamentarian. OK, so we made one of those things up, but this suspect will be easily rounded up by the entire field. He could start on Monday and not win.

23. Zabeelionaire
Trainer: Leon Corstens. Barrier: 24.
Odds: $35. Jockey: Craig Newitt
His Daddy Zabeel has sired countless champions including Melbourne Cup winners Might And Power and Jezabeel. Trained by Bart Cummings's former stable foreman, Zabeelionaire has been running like a Cummings stayer, making steady late ground in his races without winning. So will you become a Zabeelionaire yourself if you back him? He's big odds, he's not hopeless, and yes, you just might.

24. Kelinni
Trainer: Chris Waller. Barrier: 10.
Odds: $26. Jockey: Glen Boss
He automatically qualified by winning a race called the Lexus Stakes on Saturday. But the Melbourne Cup is a race for Rolls Royces and BMWs and it's doubtful if this young horse has the class yet. Trained by expat Kiwi Chris Waller, who has been Sydney's top trainer for the past two years, Kelinni will be ridden by Makybe Diva's old pilot Glen Boss. That'll help, but so would wings.

TAB odds corrects as of 4/11/2012


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Reindler blazes out as Whincup wins

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Clean sweep ... Jamie Whincup cleaned up in Abu Dhabi. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Karl Reindler relived his worst nightmare with the V8 Supercar driver caught in a fiery wreck for the second time in 18 months in a dramatic sprint race won by Jamie Whincup in Abu Dhabi.

1. Jamie Whincup (Holden) 30mins36.6840sec

2. Will Davison (Ford) 30:37.8160

3. Tim Slade (Ford) 30:39.5900

4. Shane Van Gisbergen (Ford) 30:40.2650

5. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 30:43.5860

6. James Moffat (Ford) 30:47.8350

7. Garth Tander (Holden) 30:48.2730

8. Lee Holdsworth (Ford) 30:49.3060

9. Rick Kelly (Holden) 30:50.2430

10. Fabian Coulthard (Holden) 30:51.0100

11. Craig Lowndes (Holden) 30:51.3900

12. David Reynolds (Ford) 30:51.7420

13. James Courtney (Holden) 30:52.4630

14. Alexandre Premat (Holden) 30:53.1200

15. Michael Caruso (Holden) 30:53.3880

16. Russell Ingall (Holden) 30:54.7940

17. Tony D Alberto (Ford) 30:55.1480

18. Steve Johnson (Ford) 30:57.4900

19. Michael Patrizi (Ford) 30:57.6830

20. Steve Owen (Holden) 30:58.5760

21. Jonathon Webb (Ford) 31:01.7040

22. Tim Blanchard (Holden) 31:01.8960

23. Taz Douglas (Holden) 31:03.2310

24. David Wall (Holden) 31:04.2370

25. Greg Murphy (Holden) DNF

26. Dean Fiore (Ford) DNF

27. Jason Bright (Holden) DNF

28. Karl Reindler (Holden) DNF

As Whincup continued his assault on the V8 championship with a clean sweep at the Yas Marina Circuit, Fair Dinkum Sheds driver Reindler was forced to flee his V8 Supercar after his Holden burst into flames following a lap-three smash.

Reindler was hospitalised with severe burns in 2011 following a horrifying flame ball incident in Perth and was forced to endure another fire scare on Sunday night when his fuel cell burst in a collision with Jason Bright and Dean Fiore.

With his car engulfed in flames, Reindler frantically freed himself from his car and ran from the track as fire crews rushed to put out the blazing vehicle.

Shaken but unhurt, Reindler admitted he was terrified when he saw flames inside his vehicle and felt intense heat on his face.

"The fuel tank split open, the fire wall split open and I looked over and saw flames," Reindler said.

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw fire in the car again. I felt the heat on my face and the first thing I though of was back to Perth. I just had to get out of there as quick as I could. I didn't worry about unplugging anything and just figured if I ran fast enough they would all snap off and they did.

"I took a few breaths and just had to shake it off."

Reindler said the fire evoked painful memories of the accident that saw him in hospital with burns for more than a week last year.

"I am honestly fine but I was definitely shaken up," Reindler said.

"The memories of last year came flooding back but I have dealt with that. It was an unfortunate incident and I will be fine. I have no injuries this time and no recovery, so I can just forget about it and work towards Winton."

Reindler said the current cars, which will be replaced next year, were unsafe and posed a high fire risk.

"They are a worry," Reindler said.

"Where the fuel tank is at the moment, it is just so vulnerable. This is not the first time it has happened since my accident. There was one at Bathurst and one at the Australian GP. It happens continually and thankfully there are only two races to get through."

There were no such dramas for Whincup, who made it three from three in the desert with another clinical drive.

Tapped by Will Davison following a willing start, Whincup cleared the pack and easily lead when the fire brought a halt to the race.

Whincup made the perfect getaway following the race restart and and never looked like being caught during the final six laps of the weekend.

The three time champion extended his lead to 296 points over Ford challenger Mark Winterbottom.

Will Davison pursued in vein and scored another second place with Ford driver Tim Slade claimed third position.


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