Week on the Punt: $1m up for grabs in Railway Stakes

Australian Test cricket is back on television just when you need it the most, there’s plenty going on in the racing world with a big race scheduled in Ascot and it’s a hard weekend to keep up with all the basketball action on offer in the NBL and NBA. Here’s a few things you can look forward to this weekend in sport and racing.

All eyes on Ascot for $1m Railway Stakes

One of the best races to bless the city of Perth is set to jump this Saturday at Ascot Racecourse.

Railway Stakes Day draws big crowds every year, with the $1,000,000 main event widely regarded as the top title in WA racing. The race originally had 16 runners, but two early scratchings have shortened the field to 14.

In the betting, there is a lot of love going towards The Velvet King at $5.50 with Sportsbet. The horse has had an excellent preparation and boasts a good record, winning seven of its 14 starts.

Australia vs Pakistan heats up in Brisbane

What a wonderful first day of Test cricket it was. You had to admire the Pakistani openers after they didn’t drop a wicket until the 36th over, setting a new record for the highest opening partnership by a visiting team in the first innings of a Gabba Test with 75 runs.

AUSTRALIA vs PAKISTAN: FIRST TEST BETTING TIPS

But then the match went in the Aussies’ favour within minutes as they took four wickets for only three runs in a brutal spell after lunch. A dash of controversy involving a no-ball non-call off the back of a Pat Cummins wicket only added to the day’s eventfulness.

The game fell into a familiar pattern on Friday as Aussie openers Joe Burns and David Warner put the hosts in a commanding position. Online bookmakers now have Australia as short as $1.01 for the win, but can the tourists fight back over the weekend and make a game of it?

Must-see local and international basketball

A few years ago it was dead and buried, but the NBL is more popular than ever. Future NBA players RJ Hampton and LaMelo Ball are making international headlines, while attendances are strong all over the country.

This weekend sees the South East Melbourne Phoenix host the Sydney Kings in the match of the round. Both teams are contenders for the championship and boast star-studded rosters, with Mitch Creek leading the Phoenix and Casper Ware the main man for the Kings.

Watching the NBA this season has been a joy for fans and punters alike. This era of duos is much better for watchability and general team balance, with no teams standing out as the solitary best.

Denver against Boston and the Clippers against the Rockets both feature in our NBA multi tips for Saturday, while it’s hard to go past Philadelphia and Miami on Sunday with Josh Richardson and Jimmy Butler facing their former teammates.