Professional gambler Patrick Veitch describes the split personality of a successful gambler as part brain surgeon and part mad axeman!

I am warming to Patrick’s book. The initial reviews were luck warm but having read a few of the later chapters especially the one where he outlines the type characteristics required to bet for a living.

The selection process is carried out by the brain surgeon. He needs an entirely meticulous approch, as he reserches every detail possible. He must be mentally consistent at all times. When he’s done his part, the door is kicked open bythe max axeman.

A willingness to trade aggressively, the ability not to care when a fortune is at stake on one day, and the force of mind to push through all bookmakers resistance requires the mentality of a mad axeman.

After the day is over, the brain surgeon takes over again coolly assessing the results and planning the next day’s betting after making adjustments for what has been learned.

As I’ve always thought, hard work and dedication will get you a long way but sometimes success is a state of mind..

It’s a rare event for me to watch “The Morning Line” on Channel 4 for reasons I won’t go into here. During the program, the ex Ballydoyle stable jockey Kieran Fallon was interviewed and asked to comment on today’s 2000 Guineas.

Given his experience in the race, when asked who would be his choice from the Aidan O’Brien horses, my ears pricked when he replied that his fancy was Mastercraftsman based on Speed Figures!

Ballydoyle/Coolmore are masters of their trade employing sophisticated training methods throughout their operation. I did read somewhere in the mists of time that sectional timing is employed on their gallops.

Mastercraftsman may or may not win the 2000 Guineas today (I’ve backed him along with Sea The Stars and Lord Shanakill). However Kieran’s comment (regardless of his off course exploits) gives us punters a valuable insight into the thinking behind  Aidan and Kieran’s selection strategy.

Update

Some beer money in addition to my punt on Betfair

During my nocturnal web surfing session with Vodka and Coke to hand (I was still fuming over a couple of missed opportunities today),  I came across the following quote from an interview with bookmaker Victor Chandler (VC Bet)

“One thing with bookmaking is that it’s an awful lot like punting: never chase when behind, only push forward when you’re going well. A lot of people have a different mentality. When they’re winning they shut up shop, when they’re losing they chase. That’s the biggest mistake a bookie or punter can make.”

The “between race fill-in” examined Paul’s preparation for next weeks Cheltenham Festival, his thoughts on his stable stars and his fears for next week. The interview was “fascinating” as Dr Spook would remark.

The attention to detail pertaining to race preparation for every horse in his stable explains why he is top banana amongst National Hunt trainers

Nicholls sets a high standard and I get the impression that Gene Krantz (of Apollo 13 “failure is not an option fame” ) are breed from the same pod.

My punting has been haphazard over the last year or so, and listening to Paul is an example of why I need to set my own uncompromising standards as I struggle to build and maintain that illusive trait punters need to stay in the game.

Consistency

Don’t know if it’s a good or bad omen for future punts; but I’ve moved a hop, skip and a jump away from Bath Racecourse which over recent seasons has been my arch nemesis.

In respect to the blog normal service resumes on Monday 5th, I will post my selection on the notepad. Per this time of year my betting resolutions are to

1. Focus exclusively on All Weather Racing through out the year and refine my handicapping approach in this code of racing.

2.  Refine my tissue compilation process

3.  Add Great Leighs and Dundalk All Weather Courses to my punting list

4. Specialise in races at Bath Racecourse (given that I will be walking the course on a regular basis)

Let’s hope for a profitable year 2009!

My thoughts go out to the family of legendary bookmaker Freddie Williams who died of a heart attack yesterday aged 65.

In a world where bookies are more risk managers, Freddie was one of a dying breed who would stand by his opinion and was prepared to put his hard earned on the line in taking bets from anyone who thought otherwise.

I never had a chance to meet the man, but It would have been an honour to have retained a losing betting slip in his memory.

Article About Freddie 1.

Article About Freddie 2.

Article About Freddie 3.