Horse racing is arguably one of the top sports for betting on. In fact, most people will admit that they only watch it because of the betting angle and not because the racing itself. It’s easy to see why when a day out at the track can be quite the glamorous affair – placing your bet at the window, checking out the horses in the parade ring and then watching them gallop along the course through your binoculars.
Of course, not everyone can win when it comes to betting on horse racing. If you want to improve your odds, check out these useful tips for beginners. You’ll learn how to read the signs and place solid bets that limit your risk and hopefully yield high rewards.
Learn The Lingo
There can be a lot of terminology thrown around a racecourse or the bookshop. It’s important to understand exactly what they mean, as this lingo can have a big impact on the race and the horse you pick. For example, you need to know the race company. You get horses that can be classified as “outsiders” and “front runners” – if one of these are in the company for your race, they could impact tactics on the track.
The class of the race is also important. Take a look at the opposition to your chosen horse to see who has been running well. Your horse may have won previous races, but they may have been against weaker opponents.
Research The Humans Involved
A horse race is not just about the horse. There are trainers and jockeys involved, and they will have a lot to do with how the horse performs in races. You can have the finest looking horse in the pack, but it won’t be able to win if it doesn’t have a good rapport with its rider or if something has upset its training period.
Over time, you’ll be able to pick out patterns of winning trainers and jockeys. This can also be linked to performances at specific tracks or types of tracks. If you don’t know the horses, you can look to see who is riding and who did the training in order to make an educated guess about the horse’s abilities.
Know Your Tracks
The surface of the track and its shape can play a big role in the outcome of a race. The firmness of the course is of particular interest in this case. A lighter horse will usually prefer to run on a dry track where the ground is packed hard. On the other hand, a heavier horse will often do better on a track where the turf is softer as it’s less of an impact on the legs. Softer ground also allows a heavier horse to get extra traction for sprinting.
Be sure to check the history of the venue, as well as what the groundskeepers are saying about it for that particular event. This can give you insights into which horses will do better on the day.
