Australian Horse Racing Tips: What To Look For In A Racehorse
With plenty of memorable Australian horse racing events happening this year, betting on a winning horse is one of the best ways to enjoy these events fully. Doing so will give you excitement compared to simply watching the race. Unfortunately, with plenty of factors to consider when choosing a winning racehorse, horse racing can be a complicated sport. Thus, choosing a winning racehorse isn’t as simple as it may seem.
Fortunately, this article will present some tips that’ll guide you in choosing a racehorse. Without further ado, here are some factors to look for in a racehorse:
Always Read The Race Form
One of Racenet’s horse racing tips, or any other reliable sources regarding horse racing, always includes the idea of understanding, analyzing, and reading the race program or form. This is because, even if you haven’t seen the participating horses, the form will provide bettors like you with some valuable data. So, by reading the race form, you’ll have more chances of winning.
Here’s some information contained in the race form:
- The horse’s history of performance in various races
- Statistical records
- The chances of winning
- Speed record
- The jockey
Take note that the race program can be confusing to analyze if you’re a beginner in horse racing. But, with experience, you’ll get used to it. Also, there are plenty of websites or resources you can visit to help you understand a race form. (*1)
The Pedigree
The pedigree, or the record of the horse’s ancestry, is a good factor to keep in mind when selecting a racehorse. Usually, a sire that has won plenty of races during its time will likewise produce winners. But, as genetics will tell you, also consider the dam’s side. Even a famous British horse trainer says 75% of the breeding stems from the dam’s side. (*2)
So, ask yourself, how many winners did the dam already give birth to? How many offsprings have made it to a racecourse? If a horse came from a good mother, then you’ll have a good statistical advantage.
The Horse’s Last Race
Before you get to the horse’s physical appearance, you should also consider a well-rested horse. This means that the horse has taken time off a racecourse between one to two months. (*3)
Keep in mind that a horse that’s too well-rested will need a race or two so it can return to its peak fitness level. Otherwise, a horse that’s always on the track may already be exhausted. Hence, it’s best to give a horse a break for at least a month. To take this advice to another level, look into how many races the horse has attended in the past two years. Ideally, you should select a horse that averages around 45-60 days – thus, if a horse has competed in about 14 races in two years, bet on that horse.
Look At The Horse’s Physical Appearance
Similar to athletes, the horse’s physical appearance is a key indicator of a strong horse. Once the horses are in the paddocks, take note of these body parts:
- Head and ears: If the horse’s head is confident and high and the ears are big and pointed, then he’s completely aware of his surroundings. This indicates that the horse is ready for the race.
- Hair: The horse’s hair, or mane, is a general indicator of the horse’s health. A fine and glossy hair means the horse is in excellent good condition to run.
- Muscle: Horses, like athletes, build muscles over time. In horse racing, choose one that has toned muscles in the chest and rib cage area. Hence, it’s best to avoid betting on overweight or underweight horses. (*4)
Final Advice
As one of the most popular sports in many countries, it’s important to take note that Australian horse racing is made for entertainment. So, aside from getting too serious about researching the best horse, don’t forget to enjoy and have fun during the event. Of course, winning a horse race bet is a plus, but don’t let losing ruin your day during these fun and memorable events. Besides, with these tips in mind, you’ll have better chances of selecting a winning horse, allowing you to focus on the day itself.
Lastly, make sure you bet with due caution and only place money you can afford to lose. Even if you’ve read through all the tips and tricks to look for in a racehorse, anything can still happen on the track, which is why horse racing can be a complicated yet enjoyable sport.
References
- “4 Insightful Advice on Picking the Right Your Horse to Bet on Racing Events”, Sources: https://dailyiowan.com/2021/06/23/4-insightful-advice-on-picking-the-right-your-horse-to-bet-on-racing-events/
- “Key things to look for in a racehorse”, Source: https://hotsr.co.uk/what-to-look-for-in-a-racehorse/
- “Off-Track Betting: Picking A Horse”, Source: https://www.thesportsgeek.com/general/off-track-betting-picking-horse/
- “Helpful tips on picking your winning horse bets in horse racing events”, Source: https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2021/04/22/helpful-tips-on-picking-your-winning-horse-bets-in-horse-racing-events/
