There are few more popular sports to bet on than horse racing, with millions wagered on some of the biggest events on the calendar such as the Cheltenham Festival or the Kentucky Derby future pool.
Racing is more than just the big events, as the action takes place throughout the season, with smaller events being staged between Monday and Friday.
Typically, the biggest stakes races will be staged on a Saturday, and these typically gain more attention from the mainstream bettors that only look to wager on the action rarely. But, what are some of the best betting strategies for bettors looking to have the best chance of gaining long-term success when wagering on the horse racing action?
Study The Form
While it may not necessarily be a strategy, it is always worth mentioning that any bettor looking to wager on the horse racing action should assess the latest form of all horses involved before making a selection.
That includes examining the races that the runners have competed in, for example have they gained experience in Grade One company, or are they a regular runner in handicaps.
This could be essential reading, especially when it comes to assessing a horse’s chances of a competition race at the highest level. Bettors should also examine the form of connections, weighing up whether the trainer and jockey are in good form or struggling for victories.
Bettors should also examine the conditions that runners produce their best form. For example, if a horse has poor form on good ground, then they may produce a better effort if they are competing on a soft or heavy surface. All these factors in the form book could help a bettor weigh up the pros and cons of each horse in the field.
Oppose Short-Priced Favourites
Bettors will need to weigh up their options before making horse racing selections, which often includes looking at the chances of the favourite at the top of the betting. As the odds would suggest, the runner with the shortest price should have the best chance of landing victory, but laying these selections is typically a very popular option with bettors looking to get returns.
Stats show that 50% of horses priced at evens or smaller lose, meaning that if you’re looking to bet a favourite, then you must be confident that they will deliver. There are a number of reasons that contribute toward a bettor looking to bet against the favourite. Those include runners that could be making a first start over hurdles after impressing on the flat.
Meanwhile, a bad draw could also be detrimental to a runner’s chance when it comes to assessing their probability of winning a race. Bettors will also need to take ground conditions into account. Should a favourite have no form on heavy ground, then it could be worth siding with a horse that prefers a bit of cut in turf rather than side with the favourite purely because they have the shortest price.
Utilize The Other Betting Markets
While win betting is the most popular type of wager to place when it comes to betting on the horse racing, it could be worth examining the other markets available, which could offer better value for your selection.
This includes the place betting market, which could offer better returns if your selection is at bigger odds. Place betting will enable the selection to finish first or second, and in some instances, third, in order to get returns. Bettors should also examine the exotic markets, which include the Exacta and Trifecta.
Here, the wager must correctly predict the runners that will be the first two and three past the post in the correct order, respectively. These markets are typically most common with experienced bettors, as a huge amount of research must be completed beforehand.
Horses For Courses
The old saying ‘horses for courses’ rings very true when it comes to horse racing, as proven horses around a certain track will always stand a better chance of victory. Some runners just have a preference for the direction in which they are running, and that could be a huge factor to consider before making a selection.
Winning records at unique tracks such as Santa Anita and Churchill Downs should never be overlooked before making a bet, as it will pinpoint the most likely winner of a race. This also means looking at whether a horse has a poor record at a certain track. Horses that are on a losing sequence at a specific track should be handled with care, and it would indicate that the course doesn’t suit their style, and it’s unlikely that they will a race there.
The form lines never lie when it comes to betting on racing, meaning that only gamblers that do the required research will be rewarded with returns for their hard work.
