Horse racing betting tips at Mr Green Sportsbook

Win or Each-Way

In terms of frequency, most horse racing bets are straightforward “win” bets. Like any bet, you’re picking a single runner from the field to finish first. While it might seem an obvious bet, it’s hotly debated whether or not this strategy is most optimal for bettors looking for long-term success.

Each-way betting is a specialized bet where bettors earn a return if their selected runner finishes second or third in races that feature eight or more competitors. You’ll also find that in handicap races of 16 or more runners, bookmakers will payout winnings to bettors whose runners finish in the top 4. It’s common to find bookmakers offering enhanced odds for selected races and payout winnings all the way down to the fifth-place runner.

Returns are generally calculated at one-fifth of the odds in non-handicapped races and a quarter of the odds in handicapped races.

Multiple bets

It’s not unheard of to hear about bettors winning large sums of money in horse racing while only risking a small stake in a betting style that resembles conventional parlays. In Horse racing, the multiple or accumulator can range from anything as simple as a two-horse bet to seven or eight hours accumulators. Like a parlay, the logic follows that if even one of your selections fails to earn a result the entire accumulator is void.

Outside of accumulators, there is a wide variety of special bets that allow you to link horses together in doubles, triples, and accumulators. It’s a wild ride and takes a lot of consideration and a strong stomach. Here’s a few examples:

1. The Patent is a special bet that links three horses in three singles bets, two doubles bets and a triple bet, totalling 7 bets.
2. The Yankee is a special bet that combines four horses in doubles bets, a triple bet and a four-horse accumulator totalling 11 bets.
3. If you’re feeling a bit of patriotism, the Canadian is a five-horses bet in 26 combinations.
4. Finally, the Heinz is a special bet that features six horses in 57 combinations.

Lay betting

Growing steadily in popularity, betting exchanges provide experienced bettors with a platform to assume some risk but profit from their losing bets. In sum, bettors take on the role of bookmakers thereby laying horses that they do not believe will win. This type of betting requires that bettors have sufficient funds in their account to cover any losses incurred. As its difficulty indicates, this type of betting should only be considered after a careful analysis of the method and keen understanding of the risks associated.

Betting odds

Odds of winning in all horse racing are returned as starting prices (more commonly referred to as SP). This in effect allows a bettor to select a horse at the opening odds in the hope of getting a better price. It’s common for bookmakers to now offer the best odds guaranteed to bettors thereby securing the best price regardless of what the initial offering was. In the case of ante-post betting, you risk losing your entire stake if the horse does not run at all, however, if the race is marked “non-runner – no bet” the stake will be returned.

Racecourses

Racecourses in Canada, like the ones in the United States, vary depending on the extensive differences in climate and conditions that affect that track and horses entered. This makes Canadian horse racing widely appealing to bettors because of the multitude of experiences on offer. You can a detailed breakdown of the many venues on offer in Canada here.

The Going

As mentioned above, because of the difference in track condition, the going is an important factor to consider when making bets on races in Canada. This is particularly important when considering the extremes of going that can be found across the racing surfaces in Canada. For example, some horses perform better in racing ground that is soft or heavy. Synthetic surfaces are also the norm in Canada and can be difficult for bettors more familiar with European markets. Insights like these should be considered before making selections.

Distance

Distances in races are judged on a variety of factors, especially when considering flat racing surfaces. In Canada, a length if 1 mile (1.6 KM) is referred to as a “common mile”. Most races are usually 1.25 miles (2 KM) and are colloquially referred to as a “classic” mile. This is important because breeds of horses and specific entrants perform better at certain distances. A powerful stride or highly regarded stamina are only assets if the length of the races is considered.

Trainers

Like most sports, there exists a select few in horse racing that attracts bettors and are generally considered to be good punts when all else evens out. In Canada, the legendary Roger Laurin is a Woodbine regular and Mark E. Casse is training jockeys to success in the American edition of the Triple Crown. Thankfully, there exists a multitude of statistics and race records that keen bettors can use to make informed bets.

Jockeys

Jockeys, like your favorite golfer or boxer, tend to attract a lot of attention and are considered a safe bet for most casuals. Whether it’s Canadian legend Patrick Husband or current Woodbine star Luis Contreras, most jockeys are considered to be high-caliber athletes. however, the variance on their success suggests that bettors should focus on the horse.

Maiden Races

Maiden races are typically where trainers break in horses that haven’t won a race yet. Generally, a hard field to call, the lack of information and a number of variables dependant on the region make maiden racing a difficult proposition for bettors.

While difficult to bet, maiden races do present an opportunity to begin grassroots research for potential winners in bigger competitions to come.

Analyzing racetrack videos and combing over statistics may open up the possibility for profitable spot-betting when an opportunity arises.

Flat Handicap Races

It’s common to find horses weighted differently when bookmakers set the odds for any specific race. A handicapped race is one where all the horses competing are weighted to have an equal chance of winning. A rating system is developed on the form of each horse from their prior races and factored into their competition score. The difference in rating is then translated into a score that judges the speed of the horse and their level of superiority.

Incredibly difficult to predict, flat handicaps are still some of the most popular markets for bettors to explore and the lure of great odds helps to push continued engagement.

Group Races

Another way of categorizing competing horses, group races are used to establish a baseline of competition when controlled for level weights or weight-for-age. There are three classes of grouping: Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. They are ranked in terms of competition level. An example of Group 1 flat race in Canada would be the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine racetrack.