| Horse racing is a glorious sport that appeals to | | | | or two before it could show its best. Because of |
| rich and poor, young and old, male and female. | | | | improved facilities and training techniques this is |
| There is not a finer site than a group of highly | | | | not so true today and horses that have not |
| trained thoroughbreds racing towards the winning | | | | raced for a while do come out and win. If you are |
| post. However, it is a fact that the sport would | | | | at the races or even watching on TV you get an |
| probably not even survive if it was not for the | | | | opportunity to see how the horse generally looks. |
| betting industry. | | | | Is it stripping fit, looking alert and on it's toes or |
| Around the world millions of punters enjoy a bet | | | | does it look as though it is carrying a little extra |
| on the horses. It would be interesting, but possibly | | | | weight? |
| impossible to find out how many people actually | | | | Course |
| make a profit from their horse race betting | | | | Each race course has its own characteristics. On |
| activities. Obviously the bookies do but what | | | | turf courses some are considered "easy" with |
| about the poor old man or woman in the street? | | | | nice flat, even racing ground whilst others can be |
| Before selecting any horse and putting money on | | | | demanding, with tight bends and energy sapping |
| it to win a race there are 5 factors that should be | | | | uphill finishes. Horses that have won or run well on |
| considered. | | | | a particular course, especially if it is considered |
| Distance. | | | | demanding is always worth a second look. On |
| Most horse have an ideal distance that they race | | | | other racing surfaces there are horses who |
| best at and horses are classified as sprinters, | | | | prefer one or two tracks over all others and they |
| middle distance or long distance racers. Even | | | | should be noted when they run on their favoured |
| within these classifications you will find some | | | | surface. |
| horses can be speedy over 5 Furlongs, (1100 | | | | The Jockey |
| Yards) but fade out of it if asked to race any | | | | They say it takes "two to Tango". Well it also |
| further. Check the form to see if the horse you | | | | takes two to win a race, the horse and the |
| fancy is racing over its best distance | | | | jockey. Generally a stable jockey will ride most of |
| The Kind of Ground | | | | the trainer's horses at times a trainer will call on |
| The ground or going can also play a major factor | | | | another outside jockey to take the mount. This |
| in how a horse will run. Most horses, especially in | | | | could be one of the leading jockeys or a |
| flat races run best on "good" going. Good is where | | | | particularly good apprentice with a weight |
| the ground has a little give but is not soft or firm. | | | | allowance. This could indicate that the trainer is |
| There are horses that prefer to race in ground | | | | really trying to win this race. |
| which is very soft or very hard and in these | | | | All the information that you need to find to |
| conditions they run much better. | | | | assess the 5 factors can be found in the specialist |
| Fitness | | | | Horse Racing newspapers. A little study of past |
| Until a few years ago a horse that had not raced | | | | form could prove profitable. |
| for sometime would almost certainly need a race | | | | |