SportsBet September 2015 by Sportsbet Magazine

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EDITOR’S LETTER It is with a true passion that I bring to you our September issue of SportsBet Magazine. Authentic in our expert analysis, accurate in the reporting of stats, up to the moment sporting news, betting trends and events. NFL is back with the first touchdown set to take place on September 10th. Our analysts have been working relentlessly this Summer to bring you the most accurate forecasts, the best teams to watch and Fantasy tips. After an offseason with deflategate banter, it’s time to finally ring in the new season. The September issue will bring you all the latest in the NFL, Baseball, AFL Football finals, Soccer, Tennis, and all sports in between. We are extremely excited to spice up the excitement of the US Open of Tennis, with our Flashback to Tennis’ Most Sexy Serves including our stunning cover model Anna Kournikova. We hope you enjoy the issue and SportsBet Magazine will continue to be your ultimate resource for always coming out on top. Welcome to the issue and to SportsBet Magazine. Happy Punting!

MICK MCCABE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

TABLEOFCONTENTS

CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE Letter from the Editor Top 5 Unimaginable Sporting Moments of All Time Freebets Model Feature: The Big Appleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sexiest Serves

FOOTBALL NFL Top 5 Superbowl Bound Predictions Betting Superbowl 50

8 12 16 43

SURFING

Rewind: Billabong Pro Tahiti Fast Forward: Pro at Trestles Betting

BASEBALL

TENNIS

Come in Swinger Major Contenders by Division

Final Grand Slam of 2015 Betting

BASKE TBALL NBA Summer Talk Top 5 Forecast 2015/2016

HORSERACING Australian Racing Farewell the Cup USA Horseracing

BOXING Money Mayweather Betting

23 25

27 28

AFL September Bound 2015 AFL Premiers Odds

CRICKE T Sticky Wicket

30 32 34

37 38

GOLF Time of Day

SOCCER Premiere League Betting

39 40 51 53

56 58

TRAVEL Mancation Destination

ENTERTAINMENT & ST YLE Man Cave Must-Haves Manscaping 101

DATING & REL ATIONSHIPS Gifts for Your Gal Dating Deeds

HEALTH & FITNESS The Latest Fitness Trend for Fall: Rucking

59 60 60

69 70

74 76

MASTHEAD

PUBLISHER Michael McCabe

EXECUTIVE M AN AGING EDITOR Ian Wilson

FOLLOW US THE SOCIAL MEDIA YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS For all the latest sporting news, injury updates and betting trends, follow SportsBet Magazine.

M AN AGING EDITOR Mark Nicholas

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS James Howard Adam Charles

ART DIRECTOR Alexandrea Achacoso

MULTI- MEDI A DIGITAL DIRECTOR Shannon Dannetelle

PUBLIC REL ATIONS DIRECTOR Amy McCabe

PUBLIC REL ATIONS M AN AGER Jill Winkler

PHOTOGRAPHER Dominic Petruzzi

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CONTENT M AN AGER Gillian Harvey

SPORTS DIRECTOR Jason McNeil

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TOP 5

UNIMAGINABLE

SPORTING MOMENTS

OF ALL TIME The most bizarre, unusual and completely unimaginable moments to happen during live sport.

MICK FANNING, J BAY OPEN 2015

Mick is Surfing the Final against Julian Wilson, is attacked by a huge Great White Sharkâ&#x20AC;Ś Responds with an uppercut, swims off without a scratch

1989 MLB WORLD SERIES EARTHQUAKE

Just minutes before the start of Game 3 of the World Series between Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the Bay Area causing significant damage to the local area.

2004 NBA, RON ARTEST FIGHT PACERS VS PISTONS

With less than a minute left in the game, a fight broke out on the court between several players. After the fight was broken up, a fan threw a drink from the stands at Pacers player Ron Artest while he was lying on the scorerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s table. Artest then entered the crowd and sparked a brawl between players and fans that stretched onto the court leaving several spectators and players injured. Players lost $11 million in salary and suspended for 146 games.

MONICA SELES STABBED IN H AMBURG IN 1993

Monica Seles was playing Magdelenda Maleeva in the Citizen Cup. During a break in play Seles was stabbed in the neck by an obsessed fan of Steffi Graf.

EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS. MIKE T YSON II IN 1997

Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield’s Ear. Arguably the most bizarre fight in boxing history, after Tyson bit off part of Holyfield’s ear. Tyson was disqualified from the match and lost his boxing license.

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SPORTS:FOOTBALL

→ FOOTBALL IS BACK NFL TOP 5 SUPERBOWL BOUND PREDICTIONS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 2014 RECORD: 12-4 (lost the Super Bowl) HEAD COACH: Pete Carroll (sixth season, 50-30 regular season, 7-3 playoffs) KEY ARRIVALS: Jimmy Graham (tight end), Cary Williams (cornerback), Will Blackmon (cornerback) KEY DEPARTURES: Max Unger (center), James Carpenter (guard), Malcolm Smith (outside linebacker), Byron Maxwell (cornerback) More than two decades have passed since the NFL had a team return to the Super Bowl after losing in the title game the previous season. The same goes for a franchise making three consecutive Super Bowl appearances. Despite a bumpy start to 2015

(more on that in a minute), Seattle has enough talent to make another championship run. The defense should remain among the NFL’s strongest and the offense received a major boost with the trade that brought in Jimmy Graham from New Orleans, which filled a long-standing tight end weakness. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and the Legion of Boom secondary (minus cornerback Byron Maxwell, who signed with Philadelphia) are back as well. Yet there are reasons for concern entering this season: 1. An offensive line that needs position coach Tom Cable to work his magic more now than ever 2. A locker room that could be combustible considering the offseason griping from some key players about their contracts 3. The challenge of moving past the “Second-and-Dumb” play call that cost the Seahawks victory in Super Bowl 49

4. A tough schedule that opens with road games against rival St. Louis followed by a trip to Green Bay where the Packers will be amped to try and avenge last season’s NFC Championship Game loss. 5. All this aside, the Seahawks are likely front runners and the team to beat, and will start the season as Super Bowl favorites after the narrow defeat in last years detrimental loss.

PREDICTION 11-5 GREEN BAY PACKERS 2014 RECORD: 12-4 (lost in NFC Championship Game to Seahawks) HEAD COACH: Mike McCarthy (10th year, 94-49-1 regular season, 7-6 playoffs) KEY ARRIVALS: *Damarious Randall (cornerback), *Quinten Rollins(cornerback), *Ty Montgomery (wide receiver), *Jake

Ryan(linebacker) KEY DEPARTURES: Tramon Williams (cornerback), Brad Jones (linebacker), A.J. Hawk (linebacker), Matt Flynn (quarterback), Davon House (cornerback The Packers celebrated their past recently when welcoming Brett Favre back to Lambeau Field and retiring his No. 4 jersey. The future should provide even more of a reason for Cheeseheads to cheer. Almost every key player is returning from a squad that would have gone to Super Bowl XLIX had a lead in the NFC title game against Seattle not been blown. All 11 starters from the NFL’s highestscoring offense last season (30.4) are back after the Packers re-signed wide receiver Randall Cobb and right tackle Bryan Bulaga. Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams, who Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy singled out as the team’s offseason MVP, give Green Bay the makings of the NFL’s best receiving trio to work alongside top quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. The only major change

on the offense is head coach Mike McCarthy ceding the play-calling duties so he can concentrate more on monitoring all areas of the team. The transition should go smoothly with replacement Tom Clements having spent the past nine seasons working closely with Rodgers and McCarthy as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Clay Matthews remains the key to Green Bay’s defensive success. The 2014 Packers turned the corner when Matthews began giving opponents fits by shuttling between inside and outside linebacker. There are still pre-season battles pending at inside linebacker and in the secondary to fill holes created by the free-agent departures of A.J. Hawk, Tramon Williams and Davon House. The Packers also are waiting to learn whether tight end Andrew Quarless will get suspended for allegedly firing a gun inside a Miami Beach nightclub. But overall, there’s good reason why Green Bay are major players in the hunt for Super Bowl 50.

PREDICTION 12-4

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 2014 RECORD: 12-4 HEAD COACH: Bill Belichick KEY ARRIVALS: Jabaal Sheard (linebacker), Matt Flynn (quarterback), *Malcom Brown (defensive line), Dane Fletcher (linebacker), Bradley Fletcher (cornerback), Brandon Gibson (wide receiver), Scott Chandler (tight end), Jonathan Freeny (linebacker) KEY DEPARTURES: Darrelle Revis (cornerback), Vince Wilfork (defensive tackle), Stevan Ridley (running back), Shane Vereen (running back), Kyle Arrington (cornerback), Brandon Browner (cornerback), Jonathan Casillas (linebacker), Dan Connolly (offensive guard), Akeem Ayers (linebacker) New England’s early-season fortunes are difficult to predict with Brady still appealing his four-game suspension in federal court for allegedly ordering the illegal deflation of footballs. Garoppolo, the second-year quarterback who is Brady’s likely replacement, has never started in an NFL game. But even if Garoppolo stumbles and the Patriots lose early, recent history shows that slow starts in New England are usually overcome. The Patriots opened 2-2 last season and finished with a 12-4 record so it shouldn’t be cause for great concern. The last star quarterback who began the year serving a fourgame suspension was Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger in 2010. Despite not being allowed to practice with his teammates during that stretch, Roethlisberger quickly shook off rust and ultimately led the Steelers to the Super Bowl. There’s no reason to think Brady couldn’t do the same. However, the Patriots must prove a revamped secondary that lost cornerbacks Revis and Browner in free agency is up to par. Expect more zone coverage with the hope that the front seven can affect quarterbacks with pressure. Because of the ongoing

Brady saga and all its fallout, New England has a even more to prove in 2015 which might light the fire they need to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

PREDICTION 11-5 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 2014 RECORD: 11-5 (lost in AFC Championship Game to Patriots) HEAD COACH: Chuck Pagano (fourth year, 33-15 regular season, 3-3 playoffs) KEY ARRIVALS: Andre Johnson (wide receiver), Trent Cole (outside linebacker), Nate Irving (inside linebacker), Vincent Brown (wide receiver), Kendall Langford (defensive tackle), Frank Gore (running back), Dwight Lowery (free safety), Todd Herremans (guard) KEY DEPARTURES: Sergio Brown (strong safety), Josh Gordy (cornerback), Hakeem Nicks (wide receiver), Cory Redding (defensive end), Trent Richardson (running back), AQ Shipley (center), Josh Cribbs (returner), Ricky Jean Francois (defensive tackle), Shaun Phillips

(linebacker), LaRon Landry (safety) None of the other three teams that reached last year’s conference championship games (Seattle, New England and Green Bay) made anywhere near the type of freeagent splash as the Colts. But rather than address a defense that was shredded once again by the Patriots last January, Indianapolis opted for a radically different and highly questionable path by adding more offensive weapons and older ones at that. The signings of two 30-something players in Gore and Johnson have boom-or-bust written all over them. Gore will be going for his ninth career 1,000-yard rushing season as the Colts punted Trent Richardson in the offseason. Johnson, the most seasoned player, will be taking on the same type of safety-blanket receiving role that Reggie Wayne held before parting ways during the offseason. From a skill-position standpoint, no AFC quarterback is surrounded by more overall talent than Andrew Luck. The Colts, though, must find answers on

defense, especially against the run or the efforts of Luck and his offensive firepower will go to waste. If they can do that, they are in great shape and poised to make a huge Super Bowl 2015 run.

PREDICTION 12-4 DENVER BRONCOS 2014 RECORD: 12-4 (lost divisional round to Colts) HEAD COACH: Gary Kubiak (first year) KEY ARRIVALS: *Ty Sambrailo (guard), Darian Stewart (safety), Shelley Smith (guard), Antonio Smith (defensive end), James Casey (tight end), *Shane Ray (outside linebacker), Owen Daniels (tight end), Ryan Harris (offensive tackle), Vance Walker (defensive tackle) KEY DEPARTURES: Julius Thomas (tight end), Terrance Knighton (defensive tackle), Rahim Moore (safety), Orlando Franklin (offensive tackle), Nate Irving (linebacker), Will Montgomery (center), Jacob Tamme (tight end), Mitch Unrein (defensive tackle) Is Manning’s window of opportunity to win a second Super Bowl ring still open or did it close shut with last year’s playoff loss to Indianapolis? The Broncos are banking on the former although the 39-year-old Manning needs better support in the running game in order to be successful. This is one of the factors that led Broncos executive John Elway to fire head coach John Fox and replace him with Kubiak, whose offensive system has produced strong ground attacks wherever he has coached. Even with the free-agent loss of Thomas, the Broncos still have a wealth of receiving talent. Kubiak, though, must hope that an offensive line that looks shaky on paper especially after the season-ending injury suffered Clady during a June practice is better collectively on the

field. The defense is primed for a big season under incoming defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, whose previous teams didn’t need much time before grasping his 3-4 concepts. But let’s not kid ourselves, the 2015 Broncos will go as far as Manning can take them. If the 5 time MVP stays fit and healthy, they’ll be right there in the playoffs.

PREDICTION 10-6

LONGSHOT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 2014 RECORD: 9-7 HEAD COACH: Mike McCoy (third year, 18-14 regular season, 1-1 playoffs) KEY ARRIVALS: Jacoby Jones (wide receiver/kick returner), Orlando Franklin (guard), Patrick Robinson (cornerback), Stevie Johnson(wide receiver), *Melvin Gordon (running

back), Denzel Perryman(linebacker) KEY DEPARTURES: Ryan Mathews (running back), Seyi Ajirotutu (wide receiver), Eddie Royal (wide receiver), Michael Huey (guard), Andrew Gachkar (linebacker), Reggie Walker (linebacker), Marcus Gilchrist (safety) San Diego’s offseason changes on their offense make it no secret that the Chargers are reverting to the rushheavy approach that led to a secondround playoff appearance during the 2013 campaign. A first-round pick was used on Gordon to become the running back that Ryan Mathews never was because of his health and injury issues. The biggest free-agent signing was swiping left guard Orlando Franklin away from Denver, which now gives San Diego one of the league’s biggest offensive lines. Chargers’ quarterback, Philip Rivers, isn’t complaining.

Rivers was forced to carry too much of the offensive load last season because of injuries that decimated the offense. San Diego failed to score more than 14 points, losing three of its final four games and missing the playoffs. The Chargers realize that Rivers will be without one of his top targets for the first four games as Gates serves a PED suspension while defensively, they are counting on improvements from Ingram and Attaochu to boost what was a lackluster pass rush in 2014. With contract extensions signed for Philip Rivers and the organization putting faith and longevity in their

PREDICTION 11-5

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SEAT TLE SEAH AWKS 5.50 GREEN BAY PACKERS 7.50 NEW ENGL AND PATRIOTS 9.00 INDI AN APOLIS COLTS 10.00 DENVER BRONCOS 13.00 DALL AS COWBOYS 17.00 PHIL ADELPHI A EAGLES 21.00 BALTIMORE RAVENS 19.00 ARIZON A CARDIN ALS 26.00 PIT TSBURGH STEELERS 26.00 MI AMI DOLPHINS 31.00 DE TROIT LIONS 31.00 CINCINN ATI BENGALS 34.00 SAN DIEGO CH ARGERS 34.00 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 41.00 NEW YORK GI ANTS 31.00 BUFFALO BILLS 34.00 KANSAS CIT Y CHIEFS 34.00 ATL ANTA FALCONS 41.00 ST LOUIS RAMS 41.00 CAROLIN A PANTHERS 41.00 HOUSTON TEXANS 41.00 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 41.00 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 41.00 CHICAGO BEARS 51.00 NEW YORK JE TS 67.00 CLEVEL AND BROWNS 81.00 WASHINGTON REDSKINS 81.00 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 151.00 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 101.00 OAKL AND RAIDERS 151.00 TENNESSEE TITANS 151.00

GREEN BAY PACKERS +500 SEAT TLE SEAH AWKS +600 INDI AN APOLIS COLTS +750 NEW ENGL AND PATRIOTS +900 DALL AS COWBOYS +1400 DENVER BRONCOS +1400 PHIL ADELPHI A EAGLES +1400 PIT TSBURGH STEELERS +2000 ARIZON A CARDIN ALS +4000 BALTIMORE RAVENS +2000 NEW YORK GI ANTS +4000 BUFFALO BILLS +4000 CINCINN ATI BENGALS +4000 KANSAS CIT Y CHIEFS +3300 MI AMI DOLPHINS +3300 MINNESOTA VIKINGS +3300 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS +6600 ATL ANTA FALCONS +4000 CAROLIN A PANTHERS +4000 DE TROIT LIONS +4000 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS +4000 CHICAGO BEARS +6600 HOUSTON TEXANS +5000 NEW YORK JE TS +10000 SAN DIEGO CH ARGERS +4000 ST. LOUIS RAMS +6600 OAKL AND RAIDERS +10000 CLEVEL AND BROWNS +10000 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS+10000 WASHINGTON REDSKINS+12500 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS +20000 TENNESSEE TITANS +20000

SPORTS:BASEBALL

→ COME IN SWINGER The MLB’s regular-season end is right around the corner, but there’s still plenty of time for bold predictions. Who is going to take home the American League Cy Young trophy? Which teams will be a surprise down the stretch? Aside from the Kansas City Royals winning the American League Central, we’re left with more questions than answers when it comes to baseball’s playoff picture as the regular season roars toward its final month of action. For teams that are still in the hunt for a spot in the postseason, those questions are all about the immediate future. Do they have what it takes in-house to make a successful playoff push, or do they need help from outside the organization? For those out of the hunt, the time has come to start answering questions for 2016.

WHO’S HOT Dallas Keuchel

If you needed further confirmation that Dallas Keuchel is a flat-out stud, the Houston Astros’ ace proved it in the last Tuesday of August. Keuchel dominated the New York Yankees for seven shutout innings, racking

up nine strikeouts, and the offense did the rest as the ‘Stros rolled 15-1. Keuchel’s ERA is now 2.28, and the rest of his stat line—185.2 innings, 165 strikeouts, .212 batting average against—is equally impressive. He’s backing up his breakout 2014 campaign while propelling himself into the thick of the American League Cy Young race. He’s carrying Houston toward an unexpected, yet increasingly probable, postseason appearance.

WHO’S NOT MIKE TROUT

In 24 games this month, Trout is batting .200 (17 for 85) with one homer and six runs batted in. He has a .327 on-base percentage, .306 slugging percentage, 28 strikeouts and 16 walks. Even more shocking is that Trout’s worst month in his four-year career has come on the heels of one of his best, a torrid July in which he compiled a .367/.462/.861 slash line with 12 homers and 24 RBIs in 21 games. “I looked at some video again [Tuesday] night, and the last few weeks, my front side is flying open, my swing has been getting a little

long, and I’m trying to do a little too much,” Trout said. “You can’t hit when your front side goes.” There are major concerns for the Angels, a team that is trying to remain in playoff contention. The Angels have lost 22 of 32 games to fall six games behind Houston in the American League West and are one game out of the second wild-card spot.

INJURY WOES Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig missed over a month with a hamstring injury earlier in the season, but he’s banged up again after getting pulled from last Thursday’s game with the recurrence of his hamstring issues. Puig was stellar immediately after returning from his hamstring setback, finishing the month of June with a .303 average and 23 hits. However, his production tapered off significantly in July and August most notably compared to his career averages. Puig’s been undeniably streaky when healthy, but the Dodgers could certainly use him as they seek to hold off the San Francisco Giants and capture a third straight NL West title.

MAJOR CONTENDERS BY DIVISION AL EAST

TORONTO BLUE JAYS The Toronto Blue Jays have been flying high since adding ace southpaw David Price and All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki at the trade deadline, including an 18-4 record so far in the month of August. And while they haven’t gained enough separation to be labeled postseason certainties, they appear an increasingly safe bet to bust the franchise’s 22-year playoff drought, the longest in North American professional sports. The Jays and New York Yankees clash seven times in September, three times in Toronto and four times in the Bronx with those contests likely to decide the outcome of the division finals.

AL CENTRAL

KANSAS CIT Y ROYALS The only true open-and-shut division leader in baseball, the Kansas City Royals can safely begin making their October plans. Surely those plans include a return trip to the Fall Classic, and this time a Commissioner’s Trophy. That’s a long way and a lot of drama off. For now, the Royals are repeating their winning formula—speed, defense, timely hitting and a shutdown bullpen—with unimpeachable results.

AL WEST

HOUSTON ASTROS The Houston Astros play 24 of their 27 games in September against AL West foes, so the division remains in play, theoretically. Houston is getting closer to wrapping up a postseason appearance after

three consecutive 100-loss campaigns between 2011 and 2013 and a 92-loss “rebound” in 2014. Whether the upstart ‘Stros can make a deep playoff run remains to be seen, but they’ll almost definitely get a chance to find out.

NL EAST

NEW YORK ME TS The New York Mets always had the pitching, and now they have the hitting. Really, who could have thought baseball is that easy.... An offensive bottom-dweller for much of the season, the Mets have plated 64 runs in their last six games. Not coincidentally, they’ve won them all and widened their division lead over the reeling Washington Nationals. Credit the arrival of trade deadline acquisition Yoenis Cespedes, cite the return of injured David Wright and just make sure you acknowledge the Amazins are rolling like few teams in baseball.

NL CENTRAL

ST LOUIS CARDIN ALS The St. Louis Cardinals own baseball’s best record thanks to a pitching staff that boasts the game’s best ERA (2.65), plus a winning culture that’s difficult to define but impossible to ignore.

Don’t question success as these are the Cards, the club that’s appeared in four consecutive National League Championship Series a World Series win. That said, St. Louis isn’t locked in to win its division. The Cardinals and Pirates will clash six times in September, meaning the Bucs could steal the Central. Right now, though, the Redbirds are soaring as per usual.

NL WEST

LOS ANGELES DODGERS After a disconcerting five-game skid, the Los Angeles Dodgers have rebounded with two straight wins and have maintained a narrow lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West. The Dodgers have not been playing Championship baseball despite the presence of co-aces Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw and MLB’s gaudiest payroll. The bullpen remains suspect, and there are significant holes in the lineup, but with the Giants treading water and the bulk of their remaining games against teams under .500, the Dodgers have a solid shot at defending their division crown. How much further they go into the postseason depends on their much-needed improvement.

SPORTS:BASKETBALL

→ NBA SUMMER TALK After the release of the much anticipated NBA 2015/16 schedule it’s time to take a look at the positives and negatives and forecast SportsBet Magazine’s Top 5 Teams to Watch! Reducing the number of back-to-back games and four games in five days that NBA teams play was high on Commissioner Adam Silver’s agenda. Without extending the season by a week at the start or a week at the end, Silver made a dent in those numbers in an effort to reduce fatigue, wear and tear and injuries, and increase the level of competition. A win for players, officials and spectators. The Commissioner should take a bow, the numbers speak volumes. • Back-to-backs have been reduced to 17.8 per team for 2015-16,

down from 19.3 last season, and no team has more than 20 backto-backs this season. • Long-distance back-to-backs have been trimmed from 111 last season to 85 this season; backto-backs that cross a time zone have also been cut from 194 last season to 160 this season. • Four games in five days have been reduced to .9 per team for 2015-16, down from 2.3 per team last season. • The NBA reduced the number of miles traveled per team by 2%. “I think this is the best schedule that we’ve ever produced,” NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kiki VanDeWeghe stated. “We are extremely mindful of player rest, recuperation and we were able to reduce four games in five nights

and back-to-backs to all-time lows. …“We want to be mindful of putting the best product on the floor that we possibly can. The rigors of an NBA season are tough. Nobody denies that". Important Games • Christmas day schedule: New Orleans at Miami (ESPN), Chicago at Oklahoma City (ABC), Cleveland at Golden State (ABC), San Antonio at Houston (ESPN) and Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN). • Noteworthy season openers: New Orleans at Golden State; Cleveland at Chicago; New York at Milwaukee; Dallas at Phoenix; San Antonio at Oklahoma City; and Denver at Houston.

t s a c e r o F 2015/2016

TOP 5

#5 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

#4 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS: 10-1

We’re not the slightest concerned that the upcoming 2015-16 will mark Billy Donovan’s first coaching stint in the NBA. It doesn’t matter that the team went 45-37 and missed the playoffs last season, all that matters is one man's foot. If Kevin Durant can return to 100% and be the superstar we already know he is, mixed with the powerhouse of the now MVP caliber Russell Westbrook, few teams in the NBA are as dynamic and dangerous as OKC. Let's hope they can both stay healthy.

Yes, there was a point this offseason when the Los Angeles Clippers appeared to be on the verge of losing their place among the Western Conference elite and their hopes of an NBA title. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago that guard J.J. Redick was asking if he could give his team an F for the teams disgraceful summer trades. However as we all know, that all changed and fast. After Deandre Jordan’s back flip, when he appeared certain to transfer to the Dallas Mavericks his heart now beats true for the red and the blue. They were unlucky to not get past Houston last season and have now added a smart signing in Paul Pierce. The Clippers will be a huge powerhouse again this season.

#3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS 5-1 Just when we all thought the Spurs were too old to be a contender. The genius of Gregg Popovich and the organization shine bright again. They get their superstars to stay on a budget and add the coveted Lamarcus Aldridge on a max deal and signed key talent David West for pennies. The question remains, “how did they do it?” It will be a full locker room for the Spurs this season and an exciting one at that.

#2 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS 6-1 After a championship year it seemed slightly disrespectful to have the reigning MVP Stephen Curry and the Warriors at 2. After all, this Warriors squad didn’t just come out of nowhere to take the NBA by storm, they dominated the competition all season long. They didn’t make a big splash free agency, but when you go 67-15 there isn’t much to fix. They locked in Draymond Green and that’s all they needed to do. Then again everything went right last season and other teams have added key pieces, they deserve to be number 1 in the west.

#1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS 4-1 If Lebron James can lead the junior varsity versttion of the Cleveland Cavaliers within two victories of an NBA title, just think what he can do with a full arsenal at his disposal. Entering the sophomore season of the latest “Big Three” experiment, the Cavs now know each other’s tendencies, have built on-court chemistry, and are a whole year wiser. If all their stars can remain on the court, the odds are in King James’ favor. They are clear cut Eastern conference champions, have made great acquisitions and kept a great roster that if stays healthy, might be unstoppable!

SPORTS:HORSERACING

→

AUSTRALIAN RACING

THE MEMSIE STAKES

The Memsie Stakes (1400m) is the first official Group 1 race of the spring carnival, and this year a quality field was assembled for a wide open race. The Memsie is rich with great history and winnings by true champions. The legendary Makybe Diva (2005), champion So You Think (2010) and stars El Segundo (2006), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Atlantic Jewel (2013) are among those to have won the race in the past decade alone.

THE WINNER BOBAN

The star had plenty to do halfway down the straight in Saturday’s Group I Memsie Stakes (1400m), but the Chris Waller-trained galloper’s late surge was enough for a thrilling last stride to victory giving him his fifth

win at the highest level. Boban proved any concerns he couldn’t handle the deteriorating Caulfield track wrong with Jockey Glyn Schofield, who has been aboard the Chris Waller-trained six-year-old in all five of his Group 1 wins, said his only concern going into the race was the persistent rain which had seen the track downgraded to a Soft 6 rating. Waller’s Melbourne foreman, Justine Hales, said Boban would now head back to Sydney where the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) would likely be a possible next target.

corner and he was chasing, I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to get there or not but he unleashed a strong finish, certainly inside the last 100m. He’s a fantastic horse.”

W H AT T H E JOCKEYS THOUGHT OF THE FIRST 5

WEARY | CRAIG NEWIT T

BOBAN | GLYN SCHOFIELD

“It all went pretty much to plan. Maybe landed a little bit closer than he normally does. Came round the

ENTIRELY PL ATINUM | DWAYNE DUNN

“He tries very hard. I thought I had them turning in. He’ll win of these good races one day.”

STRATUM STAR | BEN MELH AM

“Ran enormous.I thought I was the winner round the corner but he just peaked late.”

“Went great, the barrier was our undoing. We just had to go back to get in but his run was huge.”

HI WORLD | KERRIN MCEVOY “Good run. The 1400m was just a little sharp but the last 100m was his best.”

HOT JOCK BLAKE SHINN

Last Saturday’s Caulfield meeting was the first time Blake Shinn has ridden in his native state this season and the Melbourne Cup-winning hoop certainly heads home in peak form. Shinn, who grew up in Kilmore, has continued on the amazing form that last season saw him win the Australian Jockeys’ Premiership for the first time. The 27-year-old boasts the best strikerate of any jockey to have ridden at least 10 winners in Australia this season. Shinn has ridden 16 winners so far in 2015/16, two fewer than premiership leader Damian Lane but has taken just 45 rides to do so. That’s a strike-rate of 35.6 per cent. Five of his winners have come from just 11 rides where he rode a Metro double and treble in the space of 5 days.

Shinn who was in Melbourne to partner Volkstok’n’barrell in the $400,000 Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes, is set for a big campaign throughout the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

RACES TO NOT MISS IN SEPTEMBER

The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is undoubtedly the highlight of the racing year in Australia and it brings together the very best of Australian and International thoroughbreds for 50 days of worldclass horse racing action. The entire event has a vibrant festival like atmosphere which brings the city of Melbourne to life during spring carnival time. Whilst officially the 2015 Spring carnival will commence on October 10, there is plenty of action not to miss in the leadup in September

MOONEY VALLEY SEPT 5TH

• Mitty’s McEwen Stakes Group 2,1000m, • Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes Group 2, 1600m, FEEHAN, WFA

FLEMINGTON SEPT 12TH, SOFITEL GIRLS DAY OUT

• Let’s Elope Stakes Group 2, 1400m • Makybe Diva Stakes Group 1, 1600m

CAULFIELD SEPT 19

• Testa Rossa Stakes 1200m, • Naturalism Stakes Group 3, 2000m

CAULFIELD SEPT 26

• Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Group 1, 1400m • Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes Group 1, 1800m • BECK Caulfield Guineas Prelude Group 3, 1400m • Schweppes Thousand Guineas Prelude Group 2

SPORTS:HORSERACING

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FAREWELL THE CUPS KING

Bart Cummings, the biggest name in the history of Australian racing, has passed away.. The legendary trainer, fondly known as the Cups King due to his deeds in the Melbourne Cup, has fought a variety of health issues in recent years but lost his battle last Sunday morning. He was 87. Cummings’ death closes the book on one of the revered training records in the history of the sport, not only in Australia but worldwide. Born at Glenelg in South Australia on 14 November 1927, Cummings was the son of trainer, Jim Cummings. There was never any doubt that he would not follow in his father’s footsteps from a young age when he acted as strapper when the horse Comic Court, who was trained by Jim, won the 1950 Melbourne Cup. Cummings was granted his own trainer’s licence less than three years later in May 1953 and in 1965 added his own name to the Melbourne Cup honor roll when

Light Fingers edged out stablemate Ziema in a thrilling finish. It was the start of one of the most amazing chapters in the history of the race that stops a nation. Cummings would win the Melbourne Cup another 11 times, including the two years following his initial victory with Galilee (1966) and Red Handed (1967). Cummings prepared Think Big to become just the third back-to-back winner of the race, in 1974/75, and won further Cups in the

1970s with Gold And Black (1977) and Hyperno (1979). After failing to capture a Melbourne Cup in the 1980s, Cummings won the first two of the 1990s, with blueblood Kingston Rule and champion mare Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elope. He won another Melbourne Cup with a champion, Saintly, in 1996 and farewelled the 20th century with arguably his most unlikely Cup success with WA galloper Rogan Josh. His final Melbourne Cup winner, Viewed, was

the longest-priced of his 12 winning at $41 in 2008. Viewed would also win the Caulfield Cup and had seven victories in the Spring Racing Carnival. "For Bart, aged 87, this was a fitting endâ&#x20AC;?, his son James said in a statement. "A husband, father, grandfather and greatgrandfather as well as a master trainer and larger than life figure. We will miss you." Grandfather and grandson, who had formed

a training partnership last year, won their first Group 1 race together in September. "I got over the thrill of [a group 1 winner] 50 years ago," Cummings said then. "We want to get our next one together now." He had been hoping to take out another Melbourne Cup this year with the four-time Cup runner Precedence. From all Racing Fans and supporters across the globe, Bart we thank you. Raise a glass to a legend of the Turf!

SPORTS:HORSERACING

→ USA HORSE RACING S U P E R S TA R S SHINE BEHOLDER Beholder became the fifth female to race in the 25-year history of the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Paseana was the first, finishing fifth in 1992, still the best result for a female runner. She would open the early 5/2 favorite following her seven-length victory in Del Mar’s Grade I $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1. Where she was so impressive that trainer Richard Mandella quoted

"I knew she hadn't hit the afterburners yet and I said, 'This is going to be fun,'" the Hall of Fame jockey said. Beholder romped to an 8 1/4-length victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, becoming the first female to win the Grade 1 race in its 25-year history Saturday. "I chirped to her, and boom! She's gone," Stevens said. "I've never experienced it before so I don't know what to compare it to.

“I think when you come to a point when you’re winning in your own class so much, you probably ought to try something different,”

Not many Grade 1 stakes open to both sexes are won by fillies or mares each year. In part, this is due to North America having a good program of racing restricted to fillies and mares and is also due to the majority of toptier colts being bigger, stronger, and faster.

You think… Beholder shot to the lead on the final turn of the Pacific Classic and Gary Stevens peeked under his arm. No rival was even in eye sight.

Just don’t go telling that to Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, and now Beholder.It’s quite impressive company and we can't wait to see

where she goes from here!

AMERICAN PHAROAH American Pharoah may have been beaten, but he hardly embarrassed himself, and the applause that greeted him as he was led off the racetrack Saturday evening was a testament to the awe and the respect he has stirred in horse lovers. The colt was clearly not at his peak, but he had plenty of chances to wilt from a long, harassing, flank-to-flank challenge thrown down by the jockey Jose Lezcano, aboard Frosted. Instead, when his rival put a head in front of American Pharoah, the colt dug in and blew by him. Still, it took the starch out of American Pharoah, who did not have enough left to hold off the fastclosing Keen Ice. There was nothing dirty about Lezcano’s tactics.

“I found the ride a little bit odd, and it probably did both of them in, but that’s horse racing,” Baffert said. “If you can’t beat him one way, try another. We almost did it.” In fact, after sleeping on it, Baffert called it the most “positive loss” of his career. He knows disappointment. Before American Pharoah, horses that he trained came up just short of sweeping the Triple Crown races three

previous times, most heartbreakingly in 1998, when Real Quiet missed it by a nostril. American Pharoah, of course, belongs to Zayat, and what is next for the colt is up to him. But Baffert said Sunday morning that American Pharoah had not tailed off at all and that he had a plan: get the colt home to California for a couple of weeks of rest and then train him up for the Breeders’ Cup

Classic for a final and potentially history-making race. American Pharoah has also captured the hearts of sports fans. The overnight rating for NBC’s broadcast of the Travers was up 102 percent from last year, and the audience more than 1.5 million viewers was nearly triple the network’s average for its Premier League soccer telecasts.

THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL IN STYLE ON GAMEDAY

SPORTS:BOXING

→ MONEY MAYWEATHER The kickoff news conference to hype Floyd Mayweather’s supposed career farewell fight against Andre Berto was one gigantic exercise in justifying a fight that has been rightly ridiculed since it was initially announced. Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will defend his welterweight world titles against Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) on Sept. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a fight that nobody, Berto and team aside, has asked for, not even Mayweather’s most ardent supporters.

million minimum to close out his sixfight Showtime/CBS deal.

There maybe a solid reason for that; unlike a more deserving opponent, take your pick from Keith Thurman, Amir Khan, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter or even the rival top rank-aligned Timothy Bradley Jr. Berto has done absolutely nothing to earn the fight. Well, that is unless going 3-3 in his last six fights, including getting knocked out by journeyman Jesus Soto Karass, losing decisions to two guys, Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz, that Mayweather beat easily in recent years while getting suspended for testing positive for steroids, warrants a fight with the best in the business. So instead of a fight that the public and media might genuinely be interested in, the pound-for-pound king decided to take the path of least resistance in order to move to 49-0 and pocket another check for around $32

“Berto is a tough competitor, a former world champion and every time he goes out there, he gives it 100 percent,” he said.

Mayweather claimed he picked Berto because he makes fighting exciting. He has been in several good scraps. This is true, but this fight isn’t about true competition. This is about Mayweather supposedly walking away from boxing with a perfect record without taking much of a chance in a not-so-grand finale. As usual, Mayweather had some laughable quotes:

“Berto is a very tough guy, he’s hungry and he’s not going to lie down.” And a favorite, “I chose Berto because he’s very exciting. Andre Berto is going to push Floyd Mayweather to the limit. That’s one thing I do know.” This is the kind of match that does not befit the end of Mayweather’s great career, although one should not blame Berto. Who could rightly be upset with Berto for accepting a multi-million dollar paycheck? Who wouldn’t take the opportunity of a lifetime to fight against Mayweather? Berto, a former two-time titleholder

who has been a gentleman in the face of the withering criticism of the fight. “I can’t worry about that, and I’m not worried about that. Have you ever seen a boring Andre Berto fight?” As mind rattling and confusing as it is, is there more to this fight than meets the eye? Is it a tuneup? Is it to retire 50-0? Is Berto underrated? Is it in reaction to fans wanting more action after Pacquaio fight? Is it just tieing up loose ends for his Showtime/CBS contract? Only Floyd “Money” Mayweather knows the answer, perhaps we will have more insight come September 12th. Long Shot Theory…. Tune up/New contract for rematch. The MGM is building a new 20,000-seat arena on the Las Vegas Strip that is due to open in April. Executives there would love nothing more than to throw a ton of money at Mayweather for him to help open the building with, say, a spring rematch against Pacquiao, which no matter how upset the public was (and still is) about that $100-pay-per-view boondoggle in May, it still generated more than $500 million. If a rematch generated half that, it would be the second-highest grossing fight ever.

* BETTING M AY WEATHER $1.02 BERTON $15 DRAW $34 It’s very clear the odds account for how much true interest there is in this fight. That being said, if you are to have a bet “Money Mayweather” hasn’t knocked anyone out in a longtime! Expect this one to finish in a decision and perhaps another “Money Mayweather” disappointment.

SPORTS:TENNIS

→

FINAL GRAND SLAM OF 2015

2015 US OPEN OF TENNIS AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 13 The final Grand Slam tournament of 2015 is upon us and given the form that some of the world’s top men have shown so far this year, it will be hard to predict a winner with any real confidence. World number one Novak Djokovic will again start favorite at Flushing Meadows, as he looks to cap off a dominant season at the Grand Slams in which he won his fifth Australian Open title and third Wimbledon title on either side of a runner-up showing at the French Open. Challenging him, as always, will be second and third seeds Roger Federer

and Andy Murray, who claimed crucial lead-up tournaments at Cincinnati and Montreal, respectively, both at the world number one’s expense. Defending champion Marin Cilic, last year’s runner-up Kei Nishikori and French Open champion Stan Wawrinka will also be out to prove their worths and sabotage what is likely to be another Grand Slam final between Djokovic and Federer. However as proven in last year men’s final, which included none of the “Big Four.” Marin Cilic of Croatia defeated Kei Nishikori of Japan in straight sets to win his only Grand Slam. Cilic fended off Djokovic in four sets in the semifinals, while Nishikori upset Federer in straight sets. Anything is possible in New York

* BETTING

No matter the draw, the weather or the crazy outfits nothing is stopping the D Train. Novak Djokovic just knows how to win; a SportsBet Magazine Best Bet special. Follow SportsBet Magazine throughout the tournament for live betting, increased odds, and sign up for best bet updates at www.SportsBetMagazine.com @ sportsbetmagazine

WINNER | ANDY MURRAY The Brit has been playing so well this year that it’s just hard to see him walking away from 2015 without a Slam. It took a classic Roger Federer performance to knock him out at Wimbledon, and it’s likely that it will take something at least that special again in New York. Murray loves the U.S. Open, it’s where he made his first major final back in 2007 and also where he won his first major in 2012. Draw seems to favor the Brit and currently at $4.50 is our Best Bet for The US Open 2015. Long Shot is Milos Raonic at $51

N DJOKOVIC 2.25 A MURRAY 4.50 R FEDERER 5.00 S WAWRINKA 13.00 K NISHIKORI 17.00 R N ADAL 21.00 M CILIC 34.00 G DIMITROV 51.00 M RAONIC 51.00 T BERDYCH 51.00 N KYRGIOS 81.00 J-W TSONGA 101.00 J ISNER 126.00 B TOMIC 151.00 D GOFFIN 151.00 E GULBIS151.00 R GASQUE T151.00 D FERRER 201.00 G MONFILS 201.0

THE BIG APPLE’S

SEXIEST

SERVES

G S

With the US Open taking over the Big Apple, SportsBet Magazine countdowns the top 3 sexiest players that brought Time Square to a freeze.

A N N A KOURNIKOVA

MARIA SH ARAPOVA

TAT I A N A GOLOVIN

SPORTS:AFL

→ SEPTEMBER BOUND With the exception of minor premiers Fremantle, every September-bound side has a wide range of possibilities. Final round upsets are a tradition and it means sides like Sydney and Richmond have multiple possible opponents for week one of the finals, lets take a quick look at some likely possible outcomes for September.

WORST CASE SCENARIO

FREMANTLE

Sydney at Subiaco Oval, Saturday afternoon

The Dockers have nothing to play for in Round 23, and are expected to rest up to half of their side from Round 22 when they face Port Adelaide on Saturday. Their opponent can change dramatically though, with five different possibilities ranging from a Western Derby to a clash with the Bulldogs.

BEST CASE SCENARIO First on 72 pts

First on 68 pts

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS

on the Dockers’ form and the most recent Derby wouldn’t be a worst-case scenario at all.

West Coast, Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Richmond, Western Bulldogs all as home side in qualifying final

BEST CASE SCENARIO

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN AND LOSS

Fourth on 62 pts

WEST COAST

It’s simple for the Eagles, beat St Kilda on Saturday night and host a qualifying final, probably against Hawthorn. But if they were to be shocked by the Saints, they could fall as low as fourth, passed by both Hawthorn and Sydney. That would then see them face Fremantle in week one of the finals, which based

Second on 66 pts

WORST CASE SCENARIO POSSIBLE OPPONENTS Fremantle as away side, Hawthorn, Sydney as home or away side in qualifying final

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval, Friday night

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH LOSS Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, Saturday night

HAWTHORN

Due to there league-leading percentage, Hawthorn is virtually assured of finishing in the top four. However results will determine its finishing position. The Hawks could drop as low as fourth if they were to lose to Carlton and see Sydney win, while a West Coast loss and win for the reigning premiers could still see them host a qualifying final. They’re almost guaranteed to face a West Australian side in week one of the finals.

BEST CASE SCENARIO Second on 64 pts

WORST CASE SCENARIO Fourth on 60 pts

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS Fremantle as away side, Sydney as

home side, West Coast as home or away side in qualifying final

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN

They could also drop as far down as sixth, which would see the Swans hosting Adelaide in week one.

West Coast at Subiaco Oval, Friday night

BEST CASE SCENARIO

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH LOSS

WORST CASE SCENARIO

Second on 64 pts

Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, Saturday afternoon

Sixth on 60 pts

SYDNEY

Fremantle, Hawthorn or West Coast as away side in qualifying final, Richmond, North Melbourne or Adelaide as home side in elimination final

The Swans can still finish above both the Hawks and West Coast, in fact, although it requires some unlikely losses. More likely Sydney will defeat Gold Coast and finish fourth, locking it into a qualifying final with Fremantle, but if the Swans lose the machinations become much more interesting. The Swans can lose but still stay fourth if Richmond or the Bulldogs don’t make up their percentage gaps (2.7% and 7.3% respectively), or outright lose.

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN Fremantle at Subiaco Oval, Saturday afternoon

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH LOSS North Melbourne at SCG, Saturday night

RICHMOND

The Tigers are at a slight disadvantage due to A Friday night game. They will be forced to play as if win is crucial. If Sydney is stunned by the Suns, the Tigers can travel west for a qualifying final with Fremantle by beating the Roos. But if the Swans win and Richmond win, they can still drop to sixth with a big enough win by the Bulldogs over Brisbane. There’s currently a gap of 4.6% between the two Victorian sides. Lose to North Melbourne and it’ll likely be a matchup with Adelaide in week one, the location dependent on whether the Crows beat Geelong or not. The Tigers could even fall to eighth if they’re thumped by 100 points by the Roos. That could see them facing Sydney in an elimination final at the SCG.

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN North Melbourne at MCG, Saturday night

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH LOSS Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Saturday night

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Fourth on 60 pts

The Bulldogs face essentially the same scenarios as Richmond, with two differences they have an inferior percentage (for now) and there being no possibility of them facing Sydney in week one. Take care of Brisbane by a large enough margin and the Dogs could move as high as fourth, but more likely fifth. Even if both sides win, they’ll pass the Tigers by winning by approximately 50 points more than Richmond do. A qualifying final berth against Fremantle is still on the cards with a Sydney loss.

WORST CASE SCENARIO

BEST CASE SCENARIO

Eighth on 56 pts

Fourth on 60 pts

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS

WORST CASE SCENARIO

Fremantle as away side in qualifying final, Sydney as away side in elimination final, Adelaide, North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs as home or away side in elimination final

Eighth on 56 pts

BEST CASE SCENARIO

POSSIBLE OPPONENTS Fremantle as away side in qualifying final, Adelaide, North Melbourne,

Richmond as home or away side in elimination final

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH WIN Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, Sunday afternoon

LIKELY OPPONENT WITH LOSS Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Sunday afternoon

* 2015 AFL

PREMIERS ODDS

H AW THORN 2.50 FREM ANTLE 3.75 WEST COAST 4.25 SYDNEY 8.50 RICHMOND 15.00 ADEL AIDE 26.00 W. BULLDOGS 29.00 N.MELBOURNE 41.00

SPORTS:CRICKET

→ STICKY WICKET Underdogs England have upset Australia 3-2 to retain the Ashes in 2015. A test series that lasted just 18 days had many high’s and low’s for both sides. Let’s review some major highlights and moments throughout the series.

MAN OF THE SERIES

Stuart Broad raised his bowling to a new level in this series, both technically and strategically. At Trent Bridge, he took on the mantle of senior bowler in the absence of Jimmy Anderson, and his spell on the first morning was one of the most decisive in Ashes history, effectively winning the match and series for England in the first hour and a half.

BEST DELIVERY

Mitchell Johnson to Ben Stokes, first innings, at Edgbaston. Johnson had only a moderate series for someone carrying his reputation for ferocity but twice in the space of three balls he produced deliveries of such devastation as he had been unable to produce hitherto and incredibly was unable thereafter. The first, short and

rapid, did for Jonny Bairstow. The second, to Stokes, reared at him, was angled into the left hander and had he not managed a thin deflection, would have taken out his throat.

BEST SHOT

The Joe Root late cut, a shot played so late it’s a wonder the bowler isn’t on his way back to his mark by the time the ball is flicked through point. It brought him a bucketload of runs and had the added bonus of being insouciantly irritating for the fielding team.

FA V O R I T E MOMENT

Ben Stokes catches Adam Voges at Trent Bridge. Stuart Broad’s stunning spell and nothing caused more delighted surprise – not least in the bowler himself – than Stokes acrobatically plucking the ball from behind him to give Broad his fourth victim.

DISAPPOINTMENTS

The lack of competitive intensity. Each match was too one-sided for this series to truly be a classic. Batsmen too often

crumbled, and bowlers too frequently lost control. With the exception of the first Test at Cardiff, you pretty much knew which way each game was heading by the time the second innings was over. There was only 18 days of cricket? The English weather can't even be blamed for that.

WHY ENGLAND REGAINED THE ASHES

On the pitches that offered real help, the England seamers, backed by some wonderful catching, bowled superbly, finding the right length and line, where the Australians tended to bowl too full or too short. For the most part the Australian batsmen were unable to cope with the relentlessness of the challenge. England was also assisted by playing at home. The Australians haven’t won in England since 2001, and they’ve sent better batting sides to England than this one here in that time. They struggle to play well when the ball is moving in the air and off the pitch even more than England do when the ball is speeding through Down Under.

SPORTS:GOLF

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TIME OF DAY

J A S O N D AY ’ S MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

After a 314-yard drive on the par-5 16th hole at Whistling Straits, Jason Day had a decision to make. Ahead by three strokes in his bid to win his first major championship, Day could either lay up with his next shot, which was the smart but conservative move, or go for the green as if he had nothing to lose. Day did not deliberate for long. In the previous two majors, he had held at least a share of the 54-hole lead and had failed to win. Six times since 2013, he had posted top-10 finishes at golf’s four biggest annual events. He was going to win the 97th P.G.A. Championship or go down swinging. Using his 4-iron, Day hit a towering draw that landed on the fringe of the green. He made a birdie to get to 20 under par, and that was where he finished, closing with a five-under 67 to beat Jordan Spieth by three strokes. Branden Grace of South Africa finished third at 15 under, one stroke

ahead of Justin Rose of England. Day’s 20-under-par score set a major championship record for strokes under par, beating by one the mark set at the 2000 British Open by Tiger Woods, Day called the victory, "One of the best moments of my life”. www.tomwaterhouse.com.au has a special market just for Jason Day to win a major in 2016.

TO WIN A MAJOR IN 2016

Yes, Day Wins A Major $3.25 No, Day Does Not Win A Major $1.33

PGA SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 2015 AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 7

Deutsche Bank Championship TPC Boston | Norton, Mass

SEPTEMBER 14-20 BMW Championship Conway Farms | Chicago, Ill.

SEPTEMBER 21-27 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola East Lake GC | Atlanta, Ga.

SPORTS:SOCCER

→ PREMIER LEAGUE HOW STRONG DO LAST SEASON’S TOP 6 LOOK? CHELSEA Chelsea is likely to stick with last season’s formula after a surprisingly quiet summer in the transfer market. Although, they are closing in on the Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman and retain an interest in Everton’s John Stones, their only major signings have been Asmir Begovic as the new understudy to Thibaut Courtois and Radamel Falcao on loan. There is no pressing need to change the strongest defence in the league. John Terry is the leader and he will be partnered by Gary Cahill, although there will be opportunities for Kurt Zouma. Branislav Ivanovic will continue on the right, César Azpilicueta on the left.

The main question surrounds Diego Costa’s fitness. If the striker’s hamstring problems clear up, then Chelsea should win the league. Yet they will not want to have to rely on Falcao or Loïc Rémy too much.

MANCHESTER CITY Raheem Sterling is the big new arrival at the Etihad and it looks as though Manuel Pellegrini intends to play his £49m signing from Liverpool on the left of a front three, taking Jesús Navas’s place alongside Sergio Agüero and David Silva. The only thing that may complicate that situation would be if Kevin De Bruyne were to join the party before the end of the month, which would put a strain on City’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, not to mention Pellegrini’s preference for a couple of defensive-minded midfielders. Even without De Bruyne, City should

have an enviable range of attacking options however Central defence still remains a problem. With Martín Demichelis not getting any younger, Vincent Kompany erratic last season and Eliaquim Mangala not making the expected progress, it was a surprise City were not first in the queue for John Stones’ services.

ARSENAL The Petr Cech effect is already being felt. Whether Chelsea will live to regret the decision to sell the A-list goalkeeper to their cross-city rivals promises to be a subplot to their season but Arsenal is convinced they have a fortifying upgrade. They have already seen off the Blues in the Community Shield and hope that Cech can steady the jitters that have sometimes afflicted them. The lineup is otherwise the same as last season’s and Arsène Wenger’s greatest wish is simply to have better luck with

injuries, so that he will be able to field his best team more often and have them generate momentum, as they did over the second half of last season. The biggest teaser, at present, concerns the identity of the striker, with Theo Walcott in possession of the shirt, largely on the strength of his fine performance in the FA Cup final last season. But Wenger has said he remains open to opportunities on the market, and the club continues to monitor the Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Even without him, Arsenal have a lineup that bristles with power.

MANCHESTER UNITED Rio Ferdinand doubts whether Louis van Gaal knows what his best defence is, so it would not be all that surprising if no one else has much of a clue either. Matteo Darmian appears likely to be the first-choice right-back, despite Van Gaal initially saying the Italian would start behind Antonio Valencia in the pecking order, and if this is to be the season of Luke Shaw – as the manager has promised – that is left-back taken care of, too. Van Gaal is currently persisting with combinations of Daley Blind and Phil Jones or Chris Smalling for the centreback positions – yes, even after all that money spent further up the pitch – though it is hard to believe Marcos Rojo will not get a look-in once he is back after his summer with Argentina. Talk of United playing 3-5-2 at this stage of last season seems to have been abandoned in favour of a more workaday 4-3-3, though given Van Gaal wants Wayne Rooney as an outand-out striker and he keeps talking up Memphis Depay as a No10, the 4-23-1 he has been fielding in pre-season seems more likely. Depay could play forward left in a 4-3-3 but if he plays in the central position behind Rooney that would leave Juan Mata out on the wing or out of the team. United appear to have a surplus of talent and a strong force throughout the season.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR The most eye-catching change from last season will be the presence of the £11.4m signing from Atlético Madrid, Toby Alderweireld, in central defence. He will partner Jan Vertonghen in a kind of coming together of their roles in the Belgium team. At international level, Alderweireld is the right-back; Vertonghen the left-back. Kevin Wimmer, the big centre-half, has also been signed from FC Köln to further swell Pochettino’s defensive options and the manager hopes the unit will prove to be more secure than the one that shipped 53 goals in the Premier League last season. It will be imperative to retain the outstanding goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who has made it known he would be open to a move to a Champions League club. The line of three behind the talisman Harry Kane looks set to feature Mousa Dembélé, in the short-term at least. Dembélé is up against the erratic Erik Lamela but Tottenham are looking to sign a new wide attacker, plus cover for Kane.

LIVERPOOL The chance to exorcise last season’s demons at Stoke City may come too soon for Roberto Firmino with the

£29m summer signing having played only 67 minutes in pre-season, and Emre Can could start at the Britannia Stadium in a three-man midfield, but this probable team highlights exactly where Brendan Rodgers felt the need to strengthen. Liverpool look stronger with Nathaniel Clyne at right-back, James Milner offers experience and balance in the centre, Jordon Ibe’s impressive development may be rewarded with a regular start, so too Joe Gomez at leftback, and a concerted effort has been made to address last season’s serious weaknesses in attack. Danny Ings’ work-rate and movement have impressed but Christian Benteke, the costliest summer recruit at £32.5m, is favourite to lead the attack at the start of the campaign. The Belgium international scored a fine goal against Swindon Town in his first appearance for the club and his understanding with Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Ibe will be crucial to Liverpool’s prospects. However, the overall defensive unit continues to offer cause for concern, Raheem Sterling’s pace will be missed and whether central midfield has the quality required for a challenge to the top four remains to be seen.

BETTING * 2015/16 PREMIER LEAGUE WINNER

M ANCHESTER CIT Y 1.90 CHELSEA 4.00 ARSEN AL 5.00 M ANCHESTER UNITED 8.00 LIVERPOOL 17.00 TOT TENH AM 101.00 EVERTON 251.00 SOUTH AMPTON 501.00 SWANSEA 3,001.00 LEICESTER 3,001.00 STOKE 3,001.00 CRYSTAL PAL ACE 3,001.00 WEST H AM 3,001.00 ASTON VILL A 5,001.00 NEWCASTLE 5,001.00 WEST BROM 5,001.00 BOURNEMOUTH 7,501.00 NORWICH 7,501.00 WATFORD 10,001.00 SUNDERL AND 5,001.00

CURRENT PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

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SPORTS:SURFING

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REWIND

BILL ABONG PRO TAHITI

By far the most highly anticipated WSL contest on tour, Teahupo'o didn't disappoint again in 2015. Overhead and challenging conditions WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow needed to use the entire event window waiting period to send out the World's best in the best possible waves. The theme of the event was big wipeouts, huge upsets and an intense battle to steal the yellow jersey from ratings leader Adriano DeSouza. It was to be World Title leaders Desouza and Fanning to exit early in round 3, who both looked sharp and on point until they both found themselves in tricky conditions in Round 3, which was ultimately a wave catching contest. The Surfers who were on the best waves won each heat, leaving an element of luck in each matchup. This opened the door for Julian Wilson, Filipe Toledo and Owen Wright to

surf their way into the lead with only 4 contests remaining before a World Champ is crowned at Pipeline. Toledo squeaked his way into round 5 where he met fellow Brazilian Italo Ferreira, Toledo was left scoreless unable to catch a wave after the 35 minute heat was complete. Julian Wilson went down to tour veteran C J Hopgood and it was left up to Australian Owen Wright to chase down the number 1 position. Owen looked to be a likely winner and combined some of the highest heat totals throughout the event before meeting Gabriel Medina in the semi finals where Medina controlled the heat from start to finish and Wright was only able to post a highest score of 6 and was eliminated from the contest meaning Adriano gets to sleep with the yellow jersey again until Trestles. On the final day of competition, shifty winds and a strong westerly influence in the swell resulted in a particularly tough day, as the remaining 12

surfers repeatedly broke boards, hit the bottom, and left skin on the razor sharp Tahitian reef. Coming off a brutal skull fracture acquired during a free surf session in Indonesia last month, Jeremy Flores was still able to put his injuries aside and throw himself over the ledge and onto the winner’s podium. JFlo was on point from start to finish and in the final heat, opened up his account by posting a monster 9.87, followed by a backup of a 7.00, leaving Medina unable to find a decent wave to answer back. After taking down one heavy hitter after another, this marks Jeremy’s first CT win since the Pipe Masters in 2010. He jumped 5 spots on the Jeep leaderboard and finds himself in 7th place, heading into the last events of the year Europe and Pipe might favor the Frenchmen and give him a realistic shot at a world title. Other movers and shakers were Owen Wright who jumps to 3rd and Gabriel Medina hops 5 spots to sneak into the top 10.

FA S T F O R W A R D

event after an injury earlier this year.

SEP 09 - 20, 2015 LOWER TRESTLES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Ian Crane (USA) and Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) have won the Hurley Pro Trials local and Hurley team division, respectively, earning spots alongside the world's best for Stop No. 8 on the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour(CT), the Hurley Pro at Trestles.

HURLEY PRO AT TRESTLES

The World’s best now head to Southern California for the Hurley Pro. Lower Trestles means consistency, all-round fun, a classic reef/point break, perfect peeling left and right-handers, easy paddle-outs and endless wave faces. Last year Jordy Smith excelled in the conditions claiming his first win of the year and will make a comeback for the

With the World Title race so close this year, Trestles is a pivotal event for the World’s top 10 heading into the European leg of the season.

* BETTING

MEN’S WORLD CHAMPION JULI AN WILSON 4.00 MICK FANNING 4.00 OWEN WRIGHT 4.50 ADRI ANO DE SOUZ A 6.00 FILIPE TOLEDO 7.00 KELLY SL ATER 9.00 GABRIEL MEDIN A 17.00 JEREMY FLORES 29.00 ITALO FERREIRA 51.00 N AT YOUNG 67.00 TAJ BURROW 67.00 JOEL PARKINSON 81.00 BEDE DURBRIDGE 101.00 JOHN JOHN FLORENCE 101.00 JOSH KERR 101.00