Is the upcoming winter racing season worth betting on?
WE’VE heard all the excuses from punters over the years; had no luck, got too far back, sack the jockey… but we always hear punters say “I hate betting in winter”, and we’re here to dispel those claims.
Winter racing is a different landscape for racing jurisdictions around the world. Hong Kong shuts down in the winter and New Zealand racing doesn’t host a group one race from May through to the start of the new season in August.
But, we often hear punters in Australia claiming that they shouldn’t be betting during the winter because the wet tracks make it too tough to do the form, but we couldn’t agree any less.
Knowing that only some horses are suited by the wet tracks is surely an advantage to punters, but changing betting strategy can be tough for some bettors to get their heads around and that’s where the problem resides.
We love to bet on the “best horse in the race” because it gives us punters insurance that we are betting on a classy horse, but despite the racing not being on the level of what is seen during the Spring carnival or during The Championships, that doesn’t mean they’re not racing at an elite level.
We often see the Kiwi runners come over and dominate during the Sydney and Brisbane carnivals and it’s not hard to see why. Their horses are rock hard fit from racing on rain-affected tracks and Australia’s elite horses simply can’t keep up if the track isn’t playing good.
Punters should expect to be betting on wet tracks during the upcoming winter months, and considering Sydney hasn’t had a dry track at Randwick or Rosehill for two months, that shouldn’t come as a hassle to those wanting a bet.
Just look at the upcoming winter schedule in Australia and punters should be licking their lips. Unlike many other countries, the Australian racing calendar doesn’t slow down from May to August.
The South Australian and Brisbane winter carnivals dominate throughout the winter months where there are an incredible 11 group one races scheduled, starting with this Saturday’s $1 million Robert Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.
The South Australian track will host another three group one races throughout the winter, which includes the Australasian Oaks, South Australian Derby and The Goodwood at the end of May.
Then comes the Brisbane winter carnival which will feature wet tracks, but it will also feature some quality thoroughbreds and punters should be excited about what’s to come.
Some of Australia’s best thoroughbreds have won races such as the Doomben 10000, Doomben Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap. June features the Queensland Oaks, Derby, J.J. Atkins and the Tattersalls Tiara alone – making up a cracking month of punting action.
Punters that say betting in winter isn’t for them should start looking at which horses handle the rain-affected ground the best. Making money betting on horse racing isn’t an exact science, but knowing that the punting landscape will change in the winter should be the first step.
Having seen first hand what the winter tracks are like in New Zealand, we can understand not wanting to invest. The tracks are so heavy that horses can barely lift their legs out of the muck, but we’re lucky in Australia. Our tracks hold up well considering the amount of racing they endure.
Those stating that horse racing should take a break in the winter clearly didn’t watch the Warrnambool carnival this week. The tracks have been heavy, but the excitement has been at full tilt.
Coming off what can only be described as a disappointing Sydney autumn carnival in terms of excitement, punters deserve to back a mudlark which will grow another leg in the conditions. It makes for exciting racing where the fittest horse will typically be the victor.
We cover the entire South Australian and Brisbane carnivals, so sign up to CrownBet.com.au for all the fixed odds and futures betting options this winter.