This is the third article in Martin Dowling's popular series, 100 Great Betting Ideas. The series, which will continue into the April, May and June issues of P.P.M., carries on in this issue from Idea No 37.

  1. FOLLOW THE BEST

    When in doubt between the chances of more than one horse it is often wise to 'stick with the strength' and to swing towards the horse trained by a leading mentor. The strike rate of the top trainers will, in the long run, give you something of an edge in situations like this.
  2. STUDY BLIND

    When you are looking at form it's a good idea not to scan the prepost betting markets first. Study the form 'blind' so you are not influenced by the early market.
  3. FIRST THOUGHTS, BEST THOUGHTS

    It's often the case that a punter will look the luck out of himself. He picks a horse on Friday, then on Saturday swings another way. First thoughts are often the best. Think carefully before studying yourself out of a winner!
  4. THE THREE BIGGIES

    In a nutshell, the entire thinking behind racing form analysis must comprise the following three key factors: FORM, CLASS, CONSISTENCY. Ask these questions of every horse that runs - and see what answers they give you!
  5. BOOKIE PERIL

    Be wary of the bookies who hand out advice and prices on the radio. They can tell you what they think you ought to back - but it's only their view. Your view counts even more. Don't let the enemy decide your attack.
  6. LATE MAIL PERIL

    Late Mail radio tips do not have an enviable record, either with win strike rate or from the aspect of value. Radio tipsters' Late Mail tips, and their general tips, tend to be overbet by the listening public. Value disappears.
  7. RIDER CHANGES

    You must check each horse for significant jockey switches. A change from an ordinary rider to a top rider can mean the stable wants to win.
  8. WIN STRIKE PARAMETERS

    What is a really good win strike? Opinion varies, but my tip is that you use 25 percent as the yardstick (on horses with 10 or more runs to their name). The higher the strike the better the horse.
  9. GET ME TO THE TRACK ON TIME

    If it's humanly possible, get to the racetrack to do your betting. It's the only place where you stand a chance of achieving value. In a TAB agency you have to accept what you're given. At the track you have the opportunity to grab a good price about your fancy, sometimes at a far higher price than it is returned at SP and higher than it pays on the tote. Over the long term, achieving slices of value every raceday can mean the difference between winning and losing.
  10. NOVICE TERROR

    Avoid backing horses ridden by inexperienced apprentices. Ensure an apprentice has proven himself before putting your money on his mounts.
  11. THE SPECIALISTS

    Many professional punters specialise. That means they concentrate on one area of racing, and certain types of racing. It could be a good idea to (a) stick to racing in one capital city; (b) use the same formguides all the time; and (c) stick to a few selected types of races (opens, welters, 3yo etc).
  12. RETIRE GRACEFULLY

    If you simply can't make sense of a race, or you come up with too many runners with real prospects, then simply pass the race. It's not worth the trouble. There will always be easier races coming up.
  13. KEEPING CHECKS

    Get a special notebook and jot down winning trainer-jockey combinations. After a while you will build up a definitive picture of which jockeys and trainers combined have the best winning records.
  14. BETTING EACH-WAY

    There are many views on eachway betting. Perhaps the moot point to remember is that you should bet each-way provided you can get the best price about a well backed horse up to around the 3/1 mark. But think carefully about long-term each-way betting. Check to see if you'd make more money backing all your horses for a win.
  15. PLACE STATS

    Place betting can be comforting but can you make money from it? Perhaps you should remember that if you can pick six placers in every 10 bets then you are going to need an average $1.90 dividend to make $114 for every $100 invested (14%).
  16. SMALL PUNTERS' TRIO

    If you're a man or woman of limited means, and bet only for fun and the chance of a lucky windfall return, then why not try what the Poms call a 'Slicker' - pick out three horses, back them all for the win, couple them in three all-up doubles and an all-up treble for both win and place. This is an outlay for the day of $8.

Click here to read Part 4.
Click here to read Part 5.
Click here to read Part 1.
Click here to read Part 2.

By Martin Dowling

PRACTICAL PUNTING - MARCH 1995