Richest Day in Racing Attracts Classy Contenders to Dubai

The Americans are coming! The Americans are coming! To Dubai for the 12th running of the world’s richest horse race – the Dubai World Cup worth $6 million American.

Horses from the Americas or those thoroughbreds bred in foreign lands that run in the United States are being lured across the Atlantic by the richest day in horse racing that exceeds $21 million for a half-dozen Grade 1 events on March 31.
Several arrived early like Premium Tap, who won the 1.5-mile Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, a quarter-mile shorter than the World Cup. The 5-year-old son of Pleasant Tap captured Saudi Arabia’s premier race by 2.75 lengths on March 16.

“We were worried about whether his journey over from America may have unsettled him as he was delayed for two days,” said Frank McGovern, general manager for new owners Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and his sons. “But he showed what a good horse he is, and we won’t be scared of taking on Discreet Cat and Invasor.”.............to read article in full visit Horse Racing News at The Betting Directory.

New eStore at The Betting Directory

I am pleased to announce the opening of a NEW eStore at one of my web sites, The Betting Directory, where you are able to buy books, videos, software and accessories for your favourite betting or gambling interests.

So whether you wish to learn the latest Poker or Sports Betting secrets, the rules of Backgammon or Mahjong or to buy your own roulette wheel or poker chips, pop over there now.

Just click on the link to visit The Betting Directory eStore.

The Wild Rover

Sitting in the pub the other night, someone started singing The Wild Rover.

Fortunately, he only new the first verse (his voice was even worse than mine). For anyone else who is desperate to know the full version, here it is:-

The Wild Rover

I’ve been a wild rover for many a year,
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer,
But now I’m returning with gold in great store,
And I never will play the wild rover no more.

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I went into to an ale house I used to frequent,
And I told the landlady my money was spent.
I asked her for credit, but she answered me “Nay.
Such custom like yours I could have any day.”

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I pulled from my pocket ten sovereigns bright,
And the landlady’s eyes opened wide with delight,
“The words that I said sir were only in jest,
For you I have whiskeys and wines of the best.”

And it’s no, nay, never
No, nay, never, no more,
Will I play the rover
No never, no more.

I’ll go home to my parents, confess what I’ve done,
And I’ll ask them to pardon their prodigal son.
And if they caress me as oft times before,
I never will play the wild rover no more!

So next time you are out on a sing-a-long lets here the full version belted out (Remember it always sounds better after several pints of beer - preferably Guiness!!)

Odds Favor Clinton, Obama and McCain for U.S. President

San Jose, Costa Rica – February 26, 2007 – With the United States presidential nominations on the horizon and impending elections in 2008, bettors are flocking to sites like WagerWeb.com to put their money where their mouths are. Unlike many polls on Yahoo, AOL, Fox News and CNN, wagering sites offer a different insight into the minds of voters-to-be.

“Online bettors are not just interested in sporting events and are very serious about how they use their bankrolls,” says Dave Johnson, CEO of WagerWeb.com. “It’s not luck when it comes to betting on the news. Instead of just answering a poll question, they maximize their profit by gathering as much information as possible and using that knowledge to their money making advantage.”

Favorites are determined by whichever item is receiving the most bets. In the case of the presidential nominations, Clinton and McCain are leading the pack. Odds are listed on the Betting Directory site

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

I have, unfortunately attended a couple of funerals lately and this has set me thinking which songs I would like played at my own funeral.

The one I have come up with as appropriate for the final music, as the curtains are drawing to hide the coffin before it is cremated is Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, from the ending of The Life of Brian, and I trust that Eric Idle will not mind me publishing it here.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you’re chewing on life’s gristle
Don’t grumble, give a whistle
And this’ll help things turn out for the best…

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you’re feeling in the dumps
Don’t be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that’s the thing.

And…always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the light side of life…

For life is quite absurd
And death’s the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it’s your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life’s a piece of shit
When you look at it
Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke, it’s true.
You’ll see it’s all a show
Keep ‘em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the right side of life…
(Come on guys, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life…
Always look on the bright side of life…
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life…
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you’re going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life…

Marriage Counselling

A husband and wife came for counselling after 15 years of marriage. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the 15 years they had been married.

She went on and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unloveable, an entire laundry list of un-met needs she had endured over the course of their marriage.

Finally, after allowing this to go on for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and, after asking the wife to stand, embraced and kissed her passionately.

The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze.

The therapist turned to the husband and said, "This is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do this?"

The husband thought for a moment and replied,.. "Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Friday's I go fishing."