If you are looking for some inspiration when it comes to taking on today’s racing bets and making that all important decision about how to fill in your bet slip, then you have come to the right place. Whilst it might be important to keep your eyes and ears open in the bookies and the pub in order to pick up on tips from friends, there is always reliable information to be found in numbers. Here we take a look at the six important statistics to look for when horse betting.
Sprint speed
Each horse has a maximum sprint speed, and this is a statistic that is well worth your time and consideration. The maximum sprint speed recorded by a horse is 55mph (I hope he wasn’t in a residential area at the time!). Knowing how fast a horse can sprint will give you a good indication of how it is likely to perform in a race and what it will be able to achieve in the all important last stages of a race.
Trainer form
Taking a look at a recent trainer’s form is a good indication of how a horse under their care is likely to perform at a given meet. Keep an eye out for trainers who are on a bad run with a particular horse.
Wins at the distance
When looking at previous wins and form, there are many things to consider. One of the most important is the number of times a horse has won at the distance it is about to race over. Some horses perform better over certain distances, whereas others are more overall performers. Take a look at the records and see what the stats tell you about the success the horse has had in the past and whether it is likely to repeat that form in the race that you have your eye on.
Horse age
When looking to invest in a bet, it is a good idea to take a look at the horse’s age. This will give you an indication of whether it is at its peak performance level. You should also take a look at the average age of the horses your chosen horse will be racing against as this may give you an indication as to whether it is likely to come out on top, or whether it risks flagging behind a younger field.
Wins at the track
As well as looking at the wins a horse has registered over a given distance, it is also worth checking out how many wins a horse has on a particular track. If a horse has chalked up many wins on a certain track, then it may well be that it favours the turns or the layout and is likely to continue to perform at its best on a track that it is familiar and comfortable with.
Jockey win percentage
It is not only the horse that you want to number crunch – the jockey’s stats matter, too. Take a look at the overall and recent win percentage in order to get an idea of the form that the man riding the horse is in.