Never placed a bet before? Or perhaps you have, but now you're planning your first trip to the racetrack. Don't let fear of the unknown put you off – there's plenty of ways to have a flutter.
Print out this guide and put it in your pocket – or handbag – and get so much more from a great day out.
Pick up a race book
Racebooks are pocket and handbag sized, and once you get the hang of it, easy to refer to. The race book lists all the races for the day, and the runners in each race, along with form for each one – that's how they've been performing recently.
It'll give you the all-important race numbers and runner numbers – and this guide tells you how to start making sense of the form as well.
Runners and Races
You may find yourself at a
- thoroughbred meeting or gallops (a meeting is the proper name for a raceday) where thoroughbred horses are raced by jockeys;
- a harness meeting where drivers take the reins from a sulky, a super lightweight cart; or
- a greyhound meeting where purebred dogs race lightning fast after an artificial rabbit on a rail.
Whichever is your raceday, the animals racing are referred to as runners.
How do I get a bet on?
Go up to a betting window, and talk to the TAB operator. There will be a queue if a race is starting soon. The cardinal rule is, get your bet on early.
What do I say?
Just three simple things:
The number of the race (or just say “the next race” if that's the one you want).
The number of the runner – that's the number on their saddlecloth or dog vest.
How much you want to pay for your bet.
How do I pick a winner?
There's no magic formula, and the experts don't always get it right. Here's a look at picking for three levels of expertise...
Lucky pick
Choose your lucky number. Watch out for the jockeys' silks (that's the name for their colourful jacket and hat) or the dog vests, and pick your lucky colour. Or back your lucky number in each race – odds are you're bound to have a win during the day. Lucky wins from random picks have a long and honourable tradition.
Take it Easy
If you want to get a bet on but can't decide what to back, ask the TAB operator for an Easybet. The computer will pick your runner for as little as $2.
View at the birdcage
Before the start of a horse race, the runners are paraded. At a thoroughbred meeting, this takes place in the birdcage – the enclosure in front of the grandstand. At a harness meeting the horses are driven out of the stables, drivers (the reinsmen) already in the sulkies (the proper name for the carts). Take a look and see what you think. Also watch them on their way to the start line. Once the horses leave for the start you have about 10 minutes to place your bet.
Good look... Look for a horse striding around purposefully, calmly taking in what is happening, looking alert and focused, coat well groomed looking strong and muscular. If a thoroughbred gives a “bunny hop” - a small buck - when the jockey jumps up, it signifies that it is feeling really well and in good form. If you see a horse do that, back it (at your own risk!)
Bad Vibe... You'd be wise to avoid a horse that is charging around pulling the arms out of its groom or driver and generally misbehaving. Likewise any you see loping around lazily like a labrador looking for somewhere to lie down. Also beware a horse whose coat looks dull or who is sweating-up a lot. A little bit of sweat is often a good sign but profuse sweating, especially between the legs (never a good thing in man or beast) signals an agitated, nervous horse unlikely to run well.
How to read the form
At the very least you'll use your race book for the race number (usually there are about 10 races on a raceday), and runner number (that's your horse's number in the race, which it will also wear on its saddle cloth or dog vest).
But there's a wealth of information in the string of numbers by each runner's name. Here's a thoroughbred example:
2 3X021 No Hero 5 65 Jonathan Riddell
The 2 at the start of the line is No Hero's runner number. He'll be wearing it, and if you pick him, it's the number you'll give the TAB operator.
The numbers in the form column refer to the last five races No Hero has run, and they read from right to left. It's the same for a harness or greyhound race.
1 = 1st (he came 1st in his most recent race).
2= 2nd (he came 2nd two races ago).
0 = 10th or more (he came in 10th position or worse three races ago).
X = He had a three month break from racing.
3 = 3rd (he came third in his last race before the break)
5 is the barrier number – that's where he'll start from in the starting gates. 1 is the closest to the inside rail and is considered the best starting position; the higher the number the worse the draw.
65 is the number of kilos the horse will be carrying in a thoroughbred race. The handicapper at the racing club sets these weights for each horse, to equalise their chances. There is no handicap weighting in harness or greyhound racing.
Jonathan Riddell is the name of No Hero's jockey for the race. In harness racing, of course, the name listed is the driver.
Bet types to choose from
Win - Pick a runner to finish first.
Place - Pick a runner to be first, second or third.
Each Way - This popular bet gives you both a win and place on your pick – e.g. $1 each way costs $2 - $1 for the win bet and $1 for the place bet. If your pick wins you collect win and place dividends; if it comes second you collect the place dividend.
Christmas Cracker - A Christmas Cracker bet could win you a luxury Lindauer boot party pack - or take you round the world. Click here for more...
Got your ticket? Check it!
Check your ticket and make sure there's no mistake or misunderstanding before you leave the window. The rules are, in the 30 minutes before the race starts, you have 2 minutes to cancel a win, place or quinella bet if a mistake has been made.
Some canny punters advise, if the ticket issued is wrong, keep it, and also put on the bet you meant to – because you'd really kick yourself if the bet you cancelled, won!
How do I collect my winnings?
When you've gone woo-hoo because you've picked a winner, wait for the announcement of the race results before going to the TAB operator to collect. It will be made a few minutes after the race; it could be longer if the race outcome was a photo finish, or if an on-track controversy had to be resolved in an “enquiry”.
