Bernard Tomic's Return Buoys Sydney Officials

HIS life might still hold some uncertainties but organisers believe Benard Tomic will be in the right frame of mind to try to defend his Sydney International title in January.

Tournament director Craig Watson is a relieved man being able to confirm that Tomic has signed on again for the combined ATP-WTA event (January 5-11) at Sydney Olympic Park courts.

“To win his first (ATP) title was an important breakthrough for him but equally important for us to get him back as he's a crowd-pleaser,” Watson said. “His tennis is great to watch.

“I've found that with tennis players when they come back to defend titles they grow an extra leg.”

Tomic's personal life as well as his professional hiccups with his coaching arrangements so often brings the Queenslander into the headlines.

In the lead-up to Sydney last January police were called to the roof of a Gold Coast hotel where Tomic and mates were involved in a scuffle in a hot-tub to celebrate his 20th birthday.

His 21st birthday passed in October without incident.

But the fall-out from the eight-month suspended sentence handed to his father John Tomic for assaulting former warm-up partner Thomas Drouet in May is ongoing.

The ATP and ITF have banned Tomic from being an accredited person at tournaments, including the past three grand slams and next year's Australian Open. Tomic Snr can however buy a ticket to the Sydney International.

Tomic was due to name a new coach this month, but there has been no announcement as yet.

Watson said Tomic showed last time on Ken Rosewall Arena he could handle the pressure of both opponents and public opinion.

“It was a great win by him because he was coming off the back of some issues with his father and Tennis Australia back then too,” Watson said yesterday.

“But he played an absolute fantastic tournament last time.”

Tomic has held a consistent ranking - still No51 in the world - for the past season, although he ended it poorly losing in the first round of his last five events.

Watson also named world No5 Juan Martin Del Potro and Poland's Wimbldeon semi-finalist, and world No21, Jerzy Janowicz as Sydney contenders.

Del Potro enjoyed a boom end of the season making three finals back-to-back and winning two - Tokyo and Basel. The 25-year-old Argentine also made the semis at Wimbledon, falling to Novak Djokovic.

Great Value Australian Open Package at Metro Apartments Bank Place

With Roger Federer considered to be back in top form and a real threat to win the tournament, and Victoria Azarenka hoping to score a hat trick after claiming the winner’s trophy in 2012 and 2013, courtside is the place to be when the Australian Open Tennis is played at Melbourne Park from January 13-26, 2014. 

Now is the time to book your Melbourne accommodation for the Australian Open, and Metro Apartments Bank Place, located just a 10 minute tram ride away from Melbourne Park, is offering a great value package for the duration of this world-class event.

The Australian Open Package offers accommodation for two people in a one bedroom apartment from $225* per night from January 13 – 26 (inclusive), with a minimum three night stay. An additional guest bed is available for $40 per night, making it ideal for a couple, a family with one child or a small group of friends to stay. Complimentary WiFi is also included.

Metro Apartments on Bank Place offers inner city apartment style accommodation that lives up to the city’s European charm. Tucked away down an atmospheric cobbled laneway, the surrounding heritage-listed piazza introduces you to Melbourne’s charming lanes and city precinct with its range of cafes, restaurants and enticing shopping. 

Bustling by day and alive with al fresco dining by night, Bank Place is situated a short stroll away from all of Melbourne’s sought after attractions: Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, Southgate Centre and Crown Casino. Hop on one of Melbourne’s famous trams to spend the day at the MCG or the National Gallery of Victoria, and take in a show at the Victorian Arts Centre – only a short ride away by taxi or tram. 

Book This 2013 Australian Open Accommodation Package

The property offers 46 apartments, a choice of either studio or one-bedroom suites, as well as a split level, two bedroom penthouse. All suites include a kitchenette and laundry facilities. 

*Terms and conditions apply.

To enquire about this package, contact Metro Apartments Bank Place on +61 3 9604 4321 or call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternatively, bookings can be made online at www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group currently provides a national accommodation network of 13 properties, with over 1000 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.

Melbourne Cup: Fiorente, Verema Meet Strong Support of Call of the Card

 

Fiorente's hold on Melbourne Cup favouritism was secured after meeting with strong support at Monday's traditional call of the card.

One punter placed $50,000 on Fiorente at $7.50, and other bets on the Gai Waterhouse-trained runner saw him shorten into $7.

Waterhouse's son Tom tried to back the horse to win $1 million but he was knocked backed by bookmakers, while a separate attempt by a punter to win $400,000 was limited to $100,000.

Australian racing's first lady is also saddling up Tres Blue in the Cup, but there was limited interest for him at $21.

Two-time Cup-winning jockey Damien Oliver says he couldn't be happier with his booking for Fiorente.

"He just does everything you ask of him and he has trained on well since the Cox Plate," Oliver told RSN Racing and Sport Radio.

"When you ask him to quicken he's got great acceleration and he relaxes well in his races, so he's just got the perfect attitude for a Melbourne Cup horse.

"It's got a lot of depth this field this year ... up to half the field have got strong winning chances, but I've got a lot of respect for the imported horses and for Lloyd Williams's horses as well."

Verema, meanwhile, also came in for solid support at the call of the card, including one $7,500 bet each way at $15.

There continues to be steady money for the French mare, whose trainer Alain de Royer Dupre rated her as good as his 2010 winner Americain.

She is drawn inside in barrier three, which poses a minor concern for de Royer Dupre.

"We are only careful because she is a filly with a very long action and if you have no pace there could a problem," he said.

"She is a similar horse to Americain, but I think the level of competition is going up every year and the competition is very tough."

There were moves at longer odds for Ibicenco, who was backed to win $500,000 at odds of $101, forcing his price into $61, and Ethiopia was supported at $91 to win more than $250,000.

One bet to win $100,000 was placed on Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, while runner-up to him Dandino ($14), as well as Irish runner Simenon ($18), also had some support.

Mount Athos remains the second favourite at $11 despite drifting slightly since Saturday's barrier draw.

An unlucky fifth last year, Mount Athos had been supported into favouritism in some markets last week on the back of strong trackwork.

But drawing barrier 22 saw him attract measured interest at the call of the card, except one bet written for him to win $200,000.

There was a handful of smaller bets on Metropolitan winner Seville ($18), but punters seemed disinterested in the defeated Caulfield Cup favourite Hawkspur at $16.

The outsider for the Cup remains Sydney Cup winner Mourayan at $151.

The final call of the card prices were:

1. Dunaden $41
2. Green Moon $41
3. Red Cadeaux $81
4. Sea Moon $15
5. Brown Panther $19
6. Fiorente $7
7. Foreteller $31
8. Dandino $12
9. Ethiopia $91
10. Fawkner $17
11. Mourayan $151
12. Seville $18
13. Super Cool $61
14. Masked Marvel $36
15. Mount Athos $11
16. Royal Empire $21
17. Voleuse De Coeurs $17
18. Hawkspur $16
19. Simenon $18
20. Ibicenco $61
21. Verema $15
22. Dear Demi $21
23. Tres Blue $24
24. Ruscello $71

Accommodation Right in the Heart of Melbourne

Accommodation Right in the Heart of Melbourne - Metro Apartments on Bank Place

Metro Apartments on Bank Place, Melbourne NEW Image Set

New Images of Metro Apartments on Bank Place. Melbourne - Quality Serviced Apartments in the Melbourne CBD.

Great Rates at Metro Apartments Bank Place for Melbourne Cup Carnival

Great Rates at Metro Apartments Bank Place for Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival is just around the corner, and Metro Apartments Bank Place in inner Melbourne is offering boutique apartment accommodation for the duration of the Carnival from just $185.00 (room only).  

Demand for accommodation in Melbourne during this period is high, so visitors to the city are advised to book now to avoid disappointment.

A minimum two night stay applies to Derby Day on Saturday 2 November and Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5th November, and WIFI is complimentary for the duration of the Carnival period – November 2 - 9, 2013.

Metro Apartments on Bank Place offers inner city apartment style accommodation that lives up to the city’s European charm. Tucked away down an atmospheric cobbled laneway, the surrounding heritage-listed piazza introduces you to Melbourne’s charming lanes and city precinct with its range of cafes, restaurants and enticing shopping. 

Bustling by day and alive with al fresco dining by night, Bank Place is situated a short stroll away from all of Melbourne’s sought after attractions: Bourke Street Mall, Federation Square, Southgate Centre and Crown Casino. Hop on one of Melbourne’s famous trams to spend the day at the MCG or the National Gallery of Victoria, and take in a show at the Victorian Arts Centre – only a short ride away by taxi or tram. 

The property offers 46 apartments, a choice of either studio or one-bedroom suites, as well as a split level, two bedroom penthouse. All suites include a kitchenette and laundry facilities.

View Metro Apartments on Bank Place

View this Press Release and more and Metro Hotels News

9 Interesting Facts About The Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's premier horse race, established since 1861 and held every year on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it has become a national tradition in Australia.

9 Interesting Facts The About Melbourne Cup 

Peter St. Albans

1. The youngest jockey to win Melbourne Cup was Peter St. Albans on Briseis in 1876 - who was only 12 years old!





2. In 1915, the first woman owner to win was Mrs E.A. Widdis with Patrobas. First female jockey to ride in the cup was Maree Lyndon on Argonaut Style in 1987.

3. During WWII between 1942 and 1944, the race day was changed to Saturdays.

Jean Shrimpton 1965

4. Fashion on the Field begun in 1962 to attract more women attendees to the cup. British supermodel Jean Shrimpton made headlines in Australia and around the world when she rocked up to Melbourne Cup in 1965 in a sleeveless dress with a hemline four inches above the knee and a man's watch - which shocked race goers and caused a fashion furore worldwide.



5. In 1861, the winner of Melbourne Cup - a horse named Archer - walked all the way to Melbourne from his stables in Nowra, NSW!

6. Criminals tried to shoot Phar Lap on the morning of Saturday 1 November 1930 after he had finished track work. Luckily for Phar Lap, they missed.

7. Forensic investigation conducted by Dr. Ivan Kempson and Dermot Henry, found that Phar Lap had ingested a massive dose of arsenic 30-40 hours before his death, adding to the speculation that the champion horse was poisoned to death by gangsters.

Phar Lap

8. When trainer Harry Telford and owner David J. Davis saw Phar Lap for the first time, the horse was gangly, face covered with warts, and had an awkward gait. Davis was furious when he saw the colt, and refused to pay to train the horse. Telford at the time had not been a successful trainer, and Davis was one of his few remaining owners. As a compromise for the poor form of the colt, Telford agreed to train the horse for free, in exchange for a two-thirds share of any winnings.


9. The only horse to have won three Melbourne Cups - consecutively in a row - is Makybe Diva.


To celebrate this year's Melbourne Cup race day, Metro Apartments on Bank Place Melbourne is having this special for travelers coming to stay for the race!

Melbourne Cup Accommodation Packages - Choose either a...

Studio Room for $250.00 per room, per night (including free Wi-Fi)
OR
One Bedroom Apartments at:

• Friday - Saturday* - $300.00 per room, per night  (including free Wi-Fi)
• Sunday - $280.00 per room, per night                   (including free Wi-Fi)
• Monday - Tuesday*  $300.00 per room, per night (including free Wi-Fi)

For details and to book online: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/320
Or call: +61 3 9604 4321
Location: 18 Bank Place, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia - only 14 minutes by car or taxi to the Flemington Racecourse!