6 Signs for Betting on The Right Horse
Do you struggle to pick the right horse in horse racing? Are you always off the mark? Then let us help you with that.
There are a lot of signs that a horse will show that signify it winning the upcoming race. And no, you don’t need to be a veteran to see those signs. In fact, with just a few sessions, you’ll be able to spot them easily.
But what are the signs that you should look for? Here are some of them.
Showmanship
As spectators of the race, we don’t see many aspects of the horses, like their personalities, mood, and mannerisms. Most of the time, only the trainers and the jockeys are privy to this information. However, there’s one thing that we can see in some horses, and that is showmanship. For the most part, showmanship means that the horse is confident and ready to do the race. But what do we mean by showmanship?
One good example of this is the Great Zenyatta. The Great Zenyatta prances, dances, and even paws at the ground during the post-parade of the horses. It’s as if she’s acknowledging the people and letting them know she’s about to put on a show. This showmanship was even dubbed the “Queen’s Dance,” and it’s always been spectacular to watch.
Good Trainers
Of course, the horses wouldn’t be what they are without the trainers, which makes them just as important as the horses themselves. That said, each trainer has their specialties, especially regarding races. You could see some patterns if you broke down each of their records. For example, Donald McClain is a frequent winner at Bangor or Nicky Henderson with Newbury.
In short, trainers have different records on different lanes. If you know that information, it will be a great help to you. Remember that those who have won a race will know precisely what to do to win it again. You can often see this information by looking into the trainers’ statistics.
Check the jockeys
Knowing the horse and the trainer would only get you so far, as the jockeys are just as important as them. They are the ones with the horses during the race, after all, not to mention that jockeys also often have a deep bond with their horses.
As trainers have their courses they frequently win in; jockeys also have their favorite positions. A few notable examples would be Ryan Moore’s Ascot position and Ruby Walsh’s leading jockey position.
Look at the Forms
If you look at the forms, each set of numbers means something. Usually, a set of numbers signifies the finishing positions a specific horse had in its most recent races or, in short, the speed figures. Generally, a horse that is consistent in being in the top positions in races is a great bet.
However, numbers alone can be very misleading. This is why you need to double-check the recent speed figures and top bets when wagering. This is because some forms often include very old races. So always check if the numbers are up to date and if they’re in the top places.
Shape in the Parade
The shape of the horse in the parade ring often tells us the mental and physical state of the horse. Limping, agitation, and poor handler relationship are negative signs that a horse is not ready to race.
On the other hand, if the horse has confident strides, is very calm, and has a positive relationship with its handler, they are signs that the horse is comfortable with its surroundings and is confident and ready to win. However, these are all opinion-based rather than actual. There are times when the most unlikely horse wins the race.
Equipment Changes
In horse racing, you can sometimes see equipment that can improve a horse’s focus. This equipment often includes visors, cheek pieces, and blinkers.
So what does this say for the horse? It’s more of a 50/50, to be honest. For instance, we don’t know if the horse will adjust significantly to the new equipment.
This is because sometimes, if it’s the first time a horse has new equipment for the upcoming race, then there’s a considerable chance that it will not adjust immediately. Of course, this is not good as it increases its chances of losing. However, if you know that this is not the first time for the horse, then there’s a huge chance that it has already adjusted and is fond of the equipment during the race. However, the opposite of these things can also be true.
Final Words
Several telltale signs can show us if a horse is going to win. However, even if those signs are present in a horse, it doesn’t mean they are guaranteed to be a race winner. It’s just that they have a good chance to win. But still, these signs are usually on the point that even professionals look for them constantly in a race, and you should do it as well.
