Watching Horse Racing Live: A Beginner’s Guide

A-Z List For Novices Going To The Races In Australia

Here’s one for those of you who don’t get to the races very often. At pickabookie.com.au we not only provide you with reviews on many of the best online bookies in Australia, but we’ve also put together an easy guide for those of you watching horse racing live for the first time.

A: Arrival

Get there early, say an hour before the first race. Gates usually open a couple of hours before racing gets underway. This gives you time to check out the race club and track, see where the parade ring is, grab a drink, read the form guide, and plan which horses or jockeys you are going to bet on.

B: Betting

Start small and keep it simple with either a Win or Place bet. You can have a punt at the tote, with a bookmaker on track, or through a betting app of your choosing.

C: Clothing

Dress codes can vary depending on which enclosure you are in and which day you are there. Country meets can be casual, but metro tracks like Doomben, Flemington or Randwick often encourage smart or race-day fashion, especially in members’ areas.

D: Drinks & Dining

Food trucks, bars, and sit-down dining are available so if you get there early it is worth checking out what you fancy to eat. You do need to make bookings if you want a reserved table or hospitality.

E: Etiquette

Be passionate but respectful and if your horse doesn’t win don’t heckle the jockey. Also try to avoid crowding others when placing bets and don’t get in other people’s way when watching the finish of the race.

F: Form Guide

Essential when watching horse racing live. Available on-course, in newspapers, or in betting apps. This shows each runner’s history, trainer, jockey, and recent performances and is useful for making smarter bets. You can also follow our betting previews for selective feature races as we as checking out our AI tips too.

G: Getting There

When watching horse racing live, be sure to plan your transport in advance. Most racecourses are accessible by public transport, and some race meetings offer you the chance to travel for free with your race day ticket. On many big race days there are shuttle buses from nearby train stations. If you’re driving, check parking availability and remember, if you plan to drink, leave the car at home. There are always taxis or cars you can share with friends and family.

H: Hats & Heels

Popular on big race days like the Melbourne Cup, Everest and Derby Days. Many enjoy the fashions on the field side of things as much as the racing.

I:ID

Take photo ID as if you look under 25 it is better to play it safe should you want to have a drink or place a bet as you watch horse racing live from the stands.

J: Jockeys & Trainers

Note that big named jockeys and trainers can often attract more bets and therefore the odds will be shorter. As has happened in the likes of the Melbourne Cup outsiders can surprise at 100/1.

K: Knowledge

You know the saying… ‘Knowledge is Power.’ If you are looking to have a bet be careful which of your mates you trust and which you decide are full of BS! It is worth doing a little of your own research when having a bet. Spend a few minutes reading the pickabookie.com.au previews, check out the AI Tips, look at form guide, even listen to expert tips over the sound system at the track. The more you learn, the more confident and possibly successful you’ll feel placing a bet or picking a runner to cheer on.

L: Live Music & Entertainment

Many race days, especially during Spring and Autumn, offer more than just racing. After the last race has finished you can stay behind enjoying a few drinks whilst DJs and bands play sets which you can dance to.

M: Multis

Multi-bets combine several bets into one. Great fun, but higher risk, probably best to try them once you’re more confident and have got more of a grasp on form or which jockeys or trainers to bet on.

N: No Cash

It is worth checking in advance whether you can spend cash when buying food, drink or placing bets. Some clubs and tracks only allow you to spend via card or digital transactions with your phone.

O: Odds

Check odds before you bet and compare to see where you might get the best ones. Fixed odds mean you lock in the price. Tote odds can change right up until the jump.

P: Parade Ring

Sometimes also referred to as the mounting yard, here you can watch all the horses being walked before the race. Some punters swear by spotting a calm or alert runner makes all the difference when deciding which horse to bet on.

Q: Quinella

Betting term which can be fun and return more than just a Win or Place Bet. With a Quinella you select two or more horses hoping they finish first and second in any order.

R: Responsible Gambling

Set a budget and stick to it. It is important that watching horse racing live and having a few bets is fun and affordable.

S: Scratching

In horse racing, scratching refers to when a horse is withdrawn from a race before it starts, often due to injury or illness. If your selection is scratched, your bet will be refunded. Always keep an eye on race updates to ensure your chosen horse is still competing.

T: Track Conditions

The state of the track can influence the performance of certain horses and the results of the race. Familiarise yourself with terms like Good, Soft, or Heavy as these describe how firm the surface is. Some runners perform better in certain conditions, so it’s worth checking in your form guide before placing a bet.

U: Understand the Lingo

Racing comes with its own set of terms such as the fav, quinella, or scratching. For more info on some of the most frequently used lingo or jargon check out the pickabookie.com.au A-Z guide for Betting on Horses. Just a little knowledge goes a long way to helping you pick yourself a winner!

V: Value Bets

Look out for value bets, these are bets where the odds are higher than what you think the chances of winning are. Rather than betting on the favourite every time, search for opportunities where a less obvious horse might have a good chance at winning. This can lead to bigger payouts.

W: Water

Look out for free water which is available. A day at the races can last a few hours and if you are going to have drinks in between each race it is worth having a few glasses of water throughout the day.

X: X in the Form Guide

If you see any X in your race book or form guide it isn’t a sign of affection, but it means that the horse has not raced competitively for 3 months or more. Some horses do well when they come back after a break others need to have a run or two before finding top form. This is something worth being aware of and you can impress your mates by knowing this.

Y: You Decide

If the idea of understanding the form, finding out about the best jockeys or checking the track condition out is not your go there is nothing stopping you deciding to pick a horse by its colour, number or name. Often if you decide that’s who you want to put your money on then if it wins it doesn’t matter how you selected the horse! 

Z: Zorse

Did you know that the offspring of a horse and zebra is called a Zorse… you won’t find any running at the races but thought it worth including as there was no other Z which could feature in this list!

Please remember that however you select your bets please gamble responsibly., set limits, stay in control, and seek help if needed. Gambling should be fun, not a problem. For more information visit https://www.betstop.gov.au/