By Betsefy
Horse racing is an exhilarating sport. Avid fans are always eager to see which one of the promising contenders will dominate and win the race. But what makes it more intriguing is putting money on the line for it.
If the horse you bet on wins, you can claim a good amount of money in return. However, before you can seize a win, you must choose a runner who you believe will finish the race first.
And to do that, there are several factors you need to consider.
The Horses’ FormA horse’s form is a record of important events, primarily its accomplishment in previous races. You may see the horse’s wider pedigree, dam, and sire in the form as well. Bettors and tipsters alike use the horse’s form in predicting its performance in future races.
The form is typically sorted in an array of numbers, indicating abbreviations or finishing positions. The oldest runs are placed on the left side, while the most recent races are on the right.
Generally, the horse’s finishing position in the race is illustrated by the numbers one to nine. Zero means that the runner finished outside the first nine. What’s more, numbers before the symbol “-” are for the last racing season.
PU or P indicates that the runner didn’t finish the race or was pulled out by the jockey. You may also see the following abbreviations:
R means a horse refused
F means the horse fell
UR or U means that the jockey was unseated
BD means another runner knocked over the horse
BF means beaten favourite
CD means a horse has won over distance and course
D means the horse has dominated that distance before
C means the horse has dominated on that course before
DistanceThis refers to the total distance that the horse race is run over. In general, jump horse racing is run over two-four miles and four furlongs. On the other hand, flat horse racing is usually run over five furlongs and two miles.
As such, when deciding which horse to bet on, see to it that the runner has the proven stamina and speed to run well. You can figure this out by examining the horse’s previous results and its performance. Breeding typically gives insight about what distance a certain horse can take.
PedigreeWhen it comes to knowing how good a horse is, the most significant factor is its pedigree. A horse’s pedigree can tell you many things about what it can achieve on the racetrack. In essence, the supremacy of the horse’s parents (dam and sire) can affect their offspring’s potential is on track, as can extended family like siblings and aunts. To know a horse’s pedigree, familiarise yourself with the sire and dam. Dig deeper into their bloodlines.
BalanceA horse should have a good balance. Keep in mind that balance is a huge factor in the performance of the runner. With that said, look if the horse’s hip, neck, and back are of equal length.
On top of that, the rider or jockey must have good balance too. Otherwise, they may not be able to follow the motion of a horse.
ConditionYou can tell the difference between great-performing horses to underperforming ones by knowing the horse’s condition. It means that your ideal winning horse must be well-rested and currently not suffering from any health problems.
Choose a horse with a competitive spirit. You can know a horse is competitive if they are constantly competing and racing. A horse in the best condition has generally raced for about one to two months. Horses are more likely to be exhausted if their last race was about one or two weeks ago.
Odds PlacementThe odds show how likely the horses will close out the race, and if the horse you bet on wins, you’ll also know how much you will get. Remember that the experts in the industry make the odds. Hence, you can put your faith in them.
What’s more, you can find betting odds and a betting guide on various sports betting sites and on the race’s website. Most people place a bet on the race’s favourite horse. However, you don’t have to do that. The betting odds can change, and the favourite pick could be overpowered in the actual race.
TakeawayThe horse you bet on must have what it takes to dominate and win the race. Your winning horse must be healthy and well-trained. Learn everything about the horse and upcoming race to increase your chances of bagging a win. Although you can never be sure who will win the horse racing event until the race day, just bet responsibly, make well-informed decisions, and believe in your winning horse.
