Harry the croc picks Gillard to win

File photo / Getty Images)

While the fame of Paul the Octopus died with the end of the soccer World Cup, there is now a new psychic force predicting the outcomes of contests.

Darwin's "Harry the Crocodile", who picked Spain to win in South Africa, believes Julia Gillard will come out above Tony Abbott in Australia's general election this Saturday, Australian media reported.

Harry's handlers gained knowledge of the result by placing two photos of Ms Gillard and Mr Abbot with chicken underneath, each at an equal distance from the reptile.

Although he took a minute to make up his mind, eventually Harry snapped up the chicken from beneath Ms Gillard's picture.

Harry is not the only crocodile with a strong sense of foresight in Darwin. Earlier this month, Harry's friend Bert predicted the winning horse at the Darwin Cup.

- NZ Herald staff