Horse Racing betting has been a favourite pastime for millions of South Africans dating back to over a century. The popularity of the sport was that it was the only legal form of gambling in the county. Every day punters visited the various Tab outlets and placed bets on races from across the world.
Horse racing predictions have become hugely popular online as there are punters looking for the best tips and inside information.
Next Featured Racing Event – Betway Summer Cup 2024
Factors that influence horse racing predictions
The class of the horse- Understanding the class of a race and the relative ratings of horses within that class is indeed crucial for handicapping and predicting race outcomes. Horses that are competing in a class above their usual level often struggle to perform well against stronger competition. Conversely, horses dropping down in class may have an advantage over their rivals.
Weight of the horse- Weight matters a lot in horse racing. If a horse has too much weight, it can slow them down and make it hard for them to win. But if they have just the right amount, they have a better chance. Sometimes, if a horse has too little weight, it’s like finding a secret advantage.In big races, pay attention to horses that did well last time and now have much less weight than before. That could mean they have a better chance to win this time.
Fitness- Horses that are running regularly are generally fit. The longer a horse has been away from racing, the more uncertain its fitness level becomes. If a horse has not raced in 21 days or more then there’s a question mark hanging over their readiness to compete.
Track Ability- Certain horses excel on specific types of tracks. Some thrive on small, twisting circuits while others prefer the spacious long stretches of a track. You can learn a lot from a horse’s track record by looking into their history to see where they’ve performed best. Pay attention to horses that have won at a particular track at least twice. The more wins they have at a track, the more confident you can be in their ability to handle it.
Distance ability- Every horse has a distance they’re best at while some are fast sprinters, others some are good at middle distances (between 1600m and 2000m). There are others that are great at staying power (from 2100m upwards to 3200m). Look closely at each horse’s past performances at the race’s distance. Horses that have won at that distance more than once are more likely to do well.
The Market- Looking at the betting market can give you a good idea of which horses have the best chance to win a race. In about 80% of all races, one of the top four favourites ends up winning. This suggests that if you are backing a horse outside of the top four favourites, you’re entering the less likely range where only about 20% of winners come from. That means you’re going against that 80% statistic, which can be a bit riskier.
Horse racing predictions involve tips in more than one race. Eg there are 7 races happening at the Greyville racehorse, so the tips will feature horses from the different races especially for bets like the Pick 6. There are a multitude of different types of bets and it can be overwhelming to new punters. We have formulated a list of the most popular bets and provided an explanation on each.
Types of Different Bets
Win bet- A win bet is indeed one of the simplest forms of betting on horse racing. It’s very straightforward, you pick a horse and if it comes first, then your bet wins. It’s often favoured by those looking for a higher payout, as it carries more risk compared to other types of bets like a place bet. The win bet generally has excellent odds unless it is the favourite.
Place Bet- A place bet is a much safer bet than a win bet as your horse can finish in any of the top four positions and you will still receive a payout. The payout on the place bet generally has poor odds as there is a lower risk of losing.
Exotic single bets- Exotic single race bets allow you to bet on multiple horses in a single race. There are five main types: the exacta, trifecta, superfecta, hi-5, and quinella. Each of these bets involves selecting multiple horses and predicting their finishing positions in various combinations. It’s a bit more complex than straight bets like win or place but it can lead to bigger payouts if you get it right.
Exacta Bet- With an exacta bet, you’re aiming to predict not just the top two finishers but also their exact order. If you correctly pick which horse comes first and which comes second then your bet is a winner. There are excellent odds on an exacta bet.
Trifecta Bet- A trifecta bet is like a step up from an exacta.To win this bet you need to correctly predict the horses which will finish first, second, and third in a race and you have to get the order exactly right. It’s a difficult bet to win but the payouts are very rewarding.
Pick three, four, five, or six bets- This bet may have different names but they all follow the same principle. Depending on whether it’s the pick three, four, five, or six bet, you need to correctly predict between three and six first place finishes for three to six consecutive races. The pick six is the holy grail of horse racing bets as the payouts run into thousands of rands. The chances of predicting six winners is a serious longshot therefore the payouts are so big.
Each year there are race meetings that stand out on the South African horse racing calendar. These events have excellent promotional offers at the leading betting sites.
The biggest horse racing events in South Africa
Hollywoodbets Durban July – The Hollywoodbets Durban Handicap is held at Greyville Racecourse in Durban and is one of the oldest turf races in the country. It takes place annually on the first Saturday of July and features horses of all ages. This prestigious event is widely regarded as the top race in South Africa and boasts a substantial purse of approximately R5 million.
Cape Town Met – The Cape Town Met stands as one of South Africa’s wealthiest and most renowned horse races. Every January, over 50 000 spectators flock to Kenilworth where the grandstand brims with excitement as the event unfolds. Since 2017, Sun International has proudly served as the headline sponsor further elevating the event’s prestige.
Scottsville Sprint Day – In May all eyes turn to Scottsville Racecourse in KZN South as the four Grade 1 races are held there. It’s a thrilling 1200-metre dash where the fastest sprinters in the country compete. It’s all about speed and skill, making it a favourite among punters.
Premier’s Champions Challenge– The Premier’s Champions Challenge forms the third leg of the Triple Crown, following on from the Grade 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas and the Grade 1 South African Classic. It is generally the third richest race of the year in South Africa behind only the Sun Met and the Durban July.
Horse Racing Predictions: Complete guide for South African punters
Our Horse Racing predictions will focus on the main races of the day from the different parts of the country. If there are no big races locally, then our predictions will be on the biggest races from Europe or Asia. We will also recommend the betting sites with the best promotions and odds for horse racing, Betting sites like Hollywoodbets and Betway offer excellent bonuses to punters before the big events like the Durban July or the Sun Met. All our horse racing predictions are free to you. Be wary of sites that want to charge you a fee for their predictions because there is never a guarantee that the predictions will win.
Things to avoid when betting on horse racing
Not doing and Research- Jumping into horse race betting without doing your homework is risky business. Take the time to research and understand the ins and outs of horse racing. This includes learning about the horses, jockeys, track conditions, and recent performance records. Choosing a reputable online betting platform is crucial to ensure a safe and fair gambling experience.
Do not only bet on favourites- It’s true that favourites in horse racing often have a higher chance of winning compared to long shots. While favourites may seem like safer bets due to their perceived higher chances of winning, they also typically offer lower payouts because of
their lower odds.
Not Comparing Odds from different bookies- Understanding the odds is crucial when it comes to horse race betting. The odds not only indicate the likelihood of a horse winning but also determine the potential payout. It’s essential to scout around and compare the odds offered by different bookies to ensure you’re getting the best possible value for your bets.
Not sticking to your budget- It is of crucial importance that you stick to a budget. Never chase your losses as this is a recipe for disaster. Remember to bet with your head and not your heart.
Conclusion
Our horse racing predictions are designed to assist you in making an informed decision before you place your bets. There is no fool proof way to predict the outcome of the race but we will have done thorough research before making our predictions, You can be assured that you have the best possible chance of being a winner with our horse racing tips.
Horse Racing Results are available in normal livescore websites.
