Golf - Barclays Championship

Course is expected to suit the long hitters and may play soft the opening two days suiting them even more. Greens are quite tricky so need to be in decent putting touch.

JB Holmes - 1 unit to win @ $91 (Sportsbet)
Near enough to the longest hitter on Tour and is in very good form of late. A 3rd round 77 in the PGA cost him basically a top 5 finish in that event and of his four starts prior, finished in the top 20 three times (including a T14th in the British Open). Has missed just one cut for the year so there are absoloutly no doubts on his consistency.

Aaron Baddeley - 0.6 units to win @ $280 (Betfair)
More on course suitability than form here. Hits the ball long and high and is a very good putter. Badds's main problem has been his accuracy off the tee and he may not get punished as much as he usually does on this course. Showing signs of getting back to his best on his two most recent events (although they were pitch and putt tourny's !!!) shooting 9 and 11 under respectively. Could be a bolter.

Steve Elkington - 0.6 units to win @ $190 (Betfair)
In excellent form and has been knocking the pins out. Putting was once somewhat of a weakness but he seems to have turned it into a bit of a strength lately. Not a long hitter by any means but not overly short either. His superior iron play may make up for shortcomings in that area. I'm happy to stick with him at the big price again.

Paul Casey - 2 units leading Euro @ $6.00 avge price (Betfair)
Clear top Euro rater on my figures and was almost tempted to back him to win but the price isn't great. Long hitter and excellent putter playing very well at the moment. If I had a query its that his GIR stats aren't maybe as good as they should be. However against that, there are doubts on a lot of the other Euros (putting might sort Rory out here for instance) that I am happy to back Casey.

No joy here.

BMO Q3 2010 Earnings

Scotia Capital, 25 August 2010Event• BMO cash operating EPS increased 9% to $1.14, below our estimate of $1.20 and consensus of $1.21. Earnings were lower-than-expected due to extremely weak trading revenue and lower security gains, partially offset by lower than expected LLPs. Operating ROE was 13.9%.Implications• Positives for the quarter were credit and strong operating results in core

Credit Suisse: Revenue Growth to Slow for Banks

Credit Suisse, 19 August 2010As Canadian bank earnings/returns on equity (ROE) benefit from declining credit charges, slowing revenue growth represents a headwind.We forecast provisions for credit losses (PCLs) to decline 35% and 36% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, providing a substantial boost to group profitability. However, as this earnings/ROE driver loses momentum, the onus falls on revenue

No Golf Bets This Week

Well we're back to a pitch and putt course this week for the Wyndham Championship so am not getting involved as I have no interest in these types of events any more.

The winner will shoot 20 under (par 70 course mind you) and be the best putter for the week.

May as well stick them on a mini golf circuit !!!!!

Races 14th August

Caulfield r6 n6, Predatory Pricer - 1.5 units e/w
One of the best horses in Oz resuming here. Last time first up here produced a withering burst to get up on the line. Strong wind may hinder front runners today and am hoping the Pricer can repeat his effort of last time. Clear top rater here as most of other favoured runners are on pace types.
2nd @ $2.20 place. Desperately unlucky I thought and seeems to be set for a big Spring.

Caulfield r7 n7, Ocean Challenger - 1.5 units e/w
5 starts here for 3 wins and a second. Also excellent 2nd up record of 2 wins from 3 starts. Gets the sit in the middle of the field. Is a mare on the rise and there are plenty of queries on the other runners. Happy to cop the $10 each way here.

Unplaced at $11. Never a hope.

Preview of Banks' Q3 2010 Earnings

Scotia Capital, 12 August 2010Banks Begin Reporting Third Quarter Earnings August 24 - Uninspiring• Banks begin reporting third quarter earnings with Bank of Montreal (BMO) on August 24, followed by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) on August 25, Royal Bank (RY) and National Bank (NA) on August 26, Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) on August 31, Canadian Western (CWB) on September 1 (after market

Golf - US PGA

Plumping for some players at long odds here. Whistling Straits is a good test of golf but with four par 5's we are looking at players who hit the ball relatively long and play the par 5's well.

Vaughan Taylor : 0.6 units to win @ $400(betfair) and 1 unit top 25 @ $7.00(sportsbet)
Been very consistent the past month with three top 15 finishes his past 5 starts. In the other two starts he made the cut but threw a 74 in both times which ruined his chances. Although not a long hitter ranks 12th in par 5 performance this year, is very accurate and a decent putter. Is a non winner but am happy to take 400s about a player in good form.

Steve Elkington : 0.6 units to win @ 450(betfair), 1 unit top 25 @ $8.00(sportsbet) and 0.6 units top Aussie @ $13 (luxbet)
Another who has been very consistent in the lesser tournalments without looking like winning. Veteran who should relish his first opportunity to play in a major this year. Ranks 22nd for par 5 performance and 16th in ball striking. Putting has always been the question mark but that seems to have improved this season.

Brendan de Jonge : 0.6 units t win @ 190(betfair) and 1 unit top 25 @ $6.00(sportsbet)
Six top 20s in his last 8 appearances on tour says it all about this blokes consistency. Knocking on the door for a win and why can't it be a major ? Very accurate and putts well. 190 is miles over the odds for a player in the form that he is.

Matt Jones : 0.6 units top Aussie @ $13 (luxbet)
Long hitter with a good record on the par 5's. Over the odds for top Aussie.

Update : Put a few lays in the system hoping to get matched in running.
Elkington to lose 30 units @ $17 (win 2 units)
Elkington to lose 30 units @ $7 (win 5 units)
Elkington to lose 30 units @ $3 (win 1o units)

More wishful thinking but you never know. If he finished top 25 that will be enough for me and if he gets top Aussie that will be a bonus.

Well the Elk gave me a good run for my money and if he'd holed that eagle putt on 16 then who knows what might have happened. Managed to get set at $7 and $17 on the lay side and also collected on the T25 and Top Aussie.

The majors have been worth their weight in gold to me this year.

Would be great to get an outright winner before the PGA season finishes but am in front on the golf so can't complain too much.