HOW TO CHOOSE THE WINNING HORSE
Many racegoers tend to choose the horse with the most fun or stylish name or the jockey’s silk colour. There are many other credible strategies that will help you make an informed decision about your bets. These are the key attributes to look for when trying to find a winner at race day.
RACEHORSE ITSELF
Before you make a decision about a racehorse, it is advisable to consider all aspects. Ask yourself these questions:
Is he/she a good runner at the distance today? A high winning percentage at today’s distance is a big tick in the box.
Is he/she able to handle the track/racing surface? Horses can show their best when they are on better ground. Others prefer to race in the mud. Verify that the horse is able to handle synthetic turf and dirt.
How does my horse’s position look like? Sprint races that include one turn favor outside positions, while route races with more turns at longer distances favour inside posts.
How about the distances? Pay attention to distances. Front runners who are getting closer are worth paying attention to. The most obvious factor is the distance. This is crucial in determining winners. Horses will have limits on how far they can travel, both over and flat. A horse with proven stamina is a huge advantage, especially when the ground can be challenging.
TRAINERS
Before placing your bets, it is worth looking at the jockeys and trainers. In general, winning trainers tend to win more, and vice versa. It is possible for trainers to have multiple horses in the race, which can indicate that they are trying to win. Keep an eye out for the trainers as they are key to the success of the racehorse.
THE JOCKEY
The jockey is also crucial in the victory of a racehorse. It takes time to get to know a horse and its characteristics. You should look for horses that a jockey has ridden before. It doesn’t really matter if the horse loses (which is very likely) – they will be back with avengeance and will try harder to win again. Some jockeys are better suited for certain horses than others. Keep an eye out for horses that have won previous races. Chances of a win are high if the jockey rides the same horse.
THE FAVOURITE
Voting for the underdogs in a race is a good move, especially if it means that the winners will flood in. Although the odds of winning the next race or being the favourite are not always good, they have a higher chance of winning. 33% of the times, the race favourite is victorious. The odds of your favourite being in the first or second place pay out around 53%. If you look at the third place, it pays off about 67%. Although there are many variables, it is clear that the favorite is the best bet.
RACE CARD
RACECARD The features. It is helpful to look at the letters on the race cards when looking at a horse’s profile. The letter C represents the Course, while D is for distance. These letters help identify horses who have won on that course previously or at that distance. The letter C denotes a horse that has won both the distance and the course of the race being considered. F denotes a horse that has fallen, U denotes a rider who was unseated respectively, and S denotes a horse that has fallen. The form numbers on a race card indicate the horse’s finishing position in the most recent races. However, numbers alone can be misleading. A horse may have a form number of ‘3’, but the third-placed finish could have been in a three-runner race. Before making any sudden decisions, be sure to consider the context.
THE PADDOCK
While the racehorse has been mentioned, it is important to mention the importance of the paddock. You can assess a runner’s mental health, fitness, and temperament by watching them in the paddock prior to a race. A horse that is sweating or seems agitated is usually a sign of trouble. A horse that does well in the preliminary rounds will have a greater chance of performing at its best. The sheer number of factors that must be taken into consideration when choosing your race day winner can seem overwhelming. Although horse race betting can be difficult, a smart punter will be able to pick a winner more often than those who are not.
Last Updated on November 18, 2021