Locals odds-on Games favourites with bookies

Australia's betting agencies are at odds over the prices they are offering on selected Commonwealth Games events, but on one thing they agree - the Australians will start hot favourites in almost everything.

Their basketball teams are virtually unbackable - the Opals (women) at $1.02 to collect gold, the Boomers (men) at $1.03.

Even at less than full strength, the Australian men deserve to be short but the Tall Blacks, the second favourites, are worth considering at $8.

Next best are Nigeria at $26.

The Tall Ferns (New Zealand women) face a tougher task against the near full-strength Opals. They too are second pick at $13, with Nigeria again on the third line at $41.

It is the same story in hockey. The Australian women go in at $1.35, New Zealand next best at $5.50 and England a close third at $6.

The men's competition promises more of the same in the gold stakes, with Pakistan second pick at $7, ahead of India ($8) and New Zealand ($13).

The expected two-team race in netball is reflected in the odds: New Zealand at $1.60 and Australia at $2.25.

Jamaica are favoured for bronze, at $9, and England next at $15. Malawi are the clear outsiders at $801.

Australia is further down the list in the chase for rugby sevens gold, coming in on the fourth line at $7.

Fiji offer good value as $3 shots ahead of New Zealand and England (both $3.50) and South Africa ($6). Sri Lanka and Uganda will attract little interest despite the $1001 on offer.

In the triathlon, Australians Emma Snowill ( $1.67 yesterday after opening at $2.60) and Brad Kahlefeldt ($3.25) head their respective events.

Sam Warriner, despite her two wins on last year's World Cup circuit, is the least favoured of the New Zealand trio - at Centrebet at least.

It has Andrea Hewitt at $7, Debbie Tanner at $11 and Warriner at $13. The TAB also has Warriner at $13 but Tanner at $17 and Hewitt $8.50.

Despite his Olympic success, Hamish Carter is seen as only sixth-best for Saturday afternoon's race.

Kahlefeldt is first selection with the TAB but comes in third with Centrebet (at $4) behind fellow Australian Peter Robertson and New Zealand's former world champion Bevan Docherty at $3.50.

Kris Gemmell is the second most favoured New Zealander - $5.50 (TAB) and $6 (Centrebet).

A Carter victory would earn punters $8 with Centrebet and $9 with the TAB. It is also offering odds on which country will win triathlon gold.

Australia is again favoured but only narrowly in the men's race - $1.85, just ahead of New Zealand's $1.95. The Australian women are a short $1.30 with New Zealand next, at $4.00.

A TAB spokesman said books would be opened on other events, including swimming, athletics and cycling, but probably only on finals.