So you want some easy ways to attack the races? Okay! In this article, Martin Dowling puts it all in a nutshell, with 25 ways to beat the punt.

I've lost count of the numbers of P.P.M. readers who write in asking for an easy way to win at the races. There is, of course, no easy way. But the following are 25 ideas for you to consider.


They include system ideas, staking plans and betting tactics. Choose which ones suit your personality and give them a go.

  1. TRIPLE TREAT:  As the name implies, it triples your chance of success. All you do is always ensure you have three chances of collecting in a race. If you pick one horse only, back it for a place. If you pick three horses, back two to 'save' and the other to win.
  2. TRIFECTA ATTACK: Most punters love the thrill of a trifecta. This idea is that you concentrate on multiple trifectas. For the small punter, a $12 investment will get you a 2 x 4 x 6 trifecta linkup at 50c a unit. Those wanting to go to, say, $21 can have a 2 x 4 x 9 linkup, or for $20 a 2 x 5 x 7 linkup.
  3. PLACE DOUBLES: These almost guarantee you a profit over 12 months, if your selections are sensible (stick to the favs and 2nd favs). just bet a few place doubles every meeting. Select three best bets and couple 'em up into three doubles at $5 each.
  4. FIFTY A YEAR: This is for the punter who reckons he can hit with a fair amount of win doubles each year. You take one double a week at $10, equalling $500 for the year. One double at 50/1 will put you in front. What do you need for a 50/1 double -say. two winners at 6/1 and 8/1.
  5. YEARBOOK SPECIALS: Follow Brian Blackwell's 100 Horses To Follow. The book hauls in heaps of big-priced winners. Recent ones have included Grandiose (10/1 in the Newmarket), Our Poetic Prince (7/2 in the Tancred), Round The World (6/1 at Rosehill), Wollow's Century (20/1), Speeding Fine (14/1).
  6. QUINELLA CAPERS: Try your luck with quinellas. Link the favourite with the next three in the betting at $1.50 a race, or 'box' the four of them for $6. You can strike some lovely divvies with this one.
  7. SUPER REPEATERS: Professional punters follow this plan. Back last start city winners with a win strike rate of 25 per cent or more (ignoring 2yo. and jumps races). Some big winners have been landed in the last 12 months.
  8. FAV IN THE FIRST. Back the favourite in the first race in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. If it loses, increase your bet by a unit next time. Operate each meeting separately.
  9. BEST BETS STAKING: Follow the staking progression 1,1,1, 2,2, 3,4,5,7, 9 for 'standout' bets. A winner cropping up anytime will produce a profit for you. Sounds great? It is. This is perfect for the best bets followers.
  10. TOP HORSE, TOP JOCKEY: When the leading rider in your area is aboard the topweight, back him! This method, vouched for by a keen reader from Casino in N.S.W., snares a whole host of good winners.
  11. POLL BEAUTIES: Check the newspaper tipsters' poll in your major newspaper and the No. 1 poll selection becomes a bet if it's at 7/4 or longer in the pre-post market and was placed lst, 2nd or 3rd last start.
  12. PARLAY PICKINGS: Try the parlay. Select four horses and couple them up in six doubles, four trebles and an accumulator. Win or place.
  13. TREBLE TREATS: Do the same thing with only three horses. That's three doubles and a treble for just $4. It works fine with place bets.
  14. THE ONE BY FIVE: For cautious punters, pick out two specials for the day and back them one unit a win and five units place each (total 12). One placed horse at 5/4 will almost square the day.
  15. PERCENTAGE BACKING: Back, say, four horses a day in different races and bet to prices. (Example: 2/1, 4/1, 4/1 and 10/1, you'd bet $3.50, $2, $2, and $I).
  16. THE CLARKE METHOD: This is one for value. Back Michael Clarke when he rides 'outside' horses not connected with the Colin Hayes stable. Big winners have been snared.
  17. THE SHORTENERS: Glue your eyes to the bookie boards or the tote monitors until five minutes before the jump-then back the two horses which have shortened the most in price.
  18. JOCKEY PLUNGERS: If a jockey wins twice in a programme, back him for the remaining races. You're riding with a 'hot' jockey and you'll pick up some great collects.
  19. CAMERA CHARTERS: Look at the camera charts in the Sportsman. Pick out the horses that made up lots of ground from the turn. Follow them, three starts.
  20. TOP PLACERS: Consider only the top-weighted horse in handicaps. It’s a bet if at 5/1 or under and is to be ridden by a claiming apprentice.
  21. JUMPS JOY: Back the favourites in hurdle races, increasing your bet after each loss, and returning to start after a win.
  22. WEED 'EM OUT: Show sense and bet only on Open, Welter and WFA races. Weed out the poor class races.
  23. SAFETY FIRST:  Pick two horses for the day. Bet $10 a place the first, if successful then retain 40 per cent and put the rest on the second horse each way.
  24. LATE MAIL SPECIALS: Listen to the Late Mail tips on radio. Back them until a winner is struck-then stop betting for the day.
  25. LAST MINUTE ADVICE: Never bet more than you can afford to lose.

By Martin Dowling

PRACTICAL PUNTING - MAY 1989