Getting started with horse racing

Horse racing has its own language, its own logic and its own way of rewarding people who take the time to understand it. If you’re new to betting, that can feel like a lot to take in. These guides are designed to get you up to speed without overwhelming you.

Start with the basics and build from there. By the end of this section you’ll know how to read a form guide, understand what you’re hearing at the track and feel confident enough to place a bet with a clear head.

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Guides in this section

  • Horse racing terminology used in Australia

    Horse racing has its own language. Some of it makes immediate sense, some of it doesn't, and most of it goes unexplained on form guides, betting sites and race calls. This is a plain-English guide to the terms you'll come across most often as an
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  • How to read a form guide?

    A complete horse race betting beginner's guide. Horse racing is without doubt one of the most exciting sports to get involved in, mention racing and the Melbourne Cup springs straight into everyone's mind, with get-together's, luncheons and Calcutta's. And you can get even more involved
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  • Why taking the best price is the most underrated edge in horse racing

    You've done the form. You've identified a horse that's being underestimated by the market. You back it. It wins. Great. But did you get $4.50 or $5.20? Because that 70-cent difference isn't a rounding error. Over a thousand bets, it's the difference between a profitable
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  • A practical guide to long-term horse racing punting in Australia

    Horse racing is the most-bet sport in Australia. Billions of dollars run through Australian racing markets every year, and for good reason. It's a deep, dynamic, daily-running market where prices move, information is imperfect, and skilled punters can find real value. It's also the sport
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  • How to watch horse racing live in Australia

    You don't need a Foxtel subscription to watch the races. Plenty of options stream Australian horse racing live, and most of them are free. Here's the practical rundown. Free streaming options Through a TAB account The easiest free option. Open an account with TAB (NSW,
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  • Sensible money management for Australian punters

    If you've had a punt for any length of time, you've had the Saturday. The leg-in multi that didn't get up. The lock-in horse that ran fourth. The chase bet at race eight to try to claw back the morning. Most of us have been
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  • How to pick the right horse races to bet on

    Most punters spend their time picking horses. The better punters spend their time picking races. That's not a clever line. It's a real distinction. Race selection, the discipline of knowing which races to skip, is one of the most underrated skills in punting, and it's
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  • Where to go next

    Once you’re comfortable with the basics, the next step is understanding how to bet more strategically. Head to the Betting strategy section to learn about value, price and the habits that separate consistent punters from everyone else.

    Or if you’re ready for tips on today’s racing, check out our free horse racing tips