Betting on the exotics is a difficult thing. There’s always a problem between budget and blowout.

What I mean is this: How far do you go in spreading your selections? How much can you spend before you cross the boundary line between good sense and stupidity?

Last month in PPM, I outlined some plans for betting trifectas and readers responded very well and demanded more of the same.

Gwen, from Adelaide, told me: “I’ve always stuck to box trifectas, although I’ve known for a long time that perhaps they are not the best way to go. Thanks to your article I am now looking at a different approach and I’ve already cut back my outlays and gained several good returns.”

It’s always nice to hear from readers about the information we pass on, especially it it’s proven useful.

This month, I’m suggesting some more multiple combinations to try in your trifectas, and in the October PPM I’ll look at First 4 betting. I think we can hit home with some ”budget blows” with the following plans.

THE PINPOINT PLAN

  1. In this plan, you need to decide which horse can win the race and which can run 2nd. Choose your horses carefully but always include one at 3/1 ($4.00) or lower and use another one in the 6/1 ($7.00) and upwards range.
  2. Use Horse A as the win banker, Horse B to run 2nd and take 10 horses from the rest of the field for 3rd.
  3. The cost of this bet is $10 if you are using $1 units.

THE $20 PLAN

  1. You need to choose one runner as a standout banker to win. Try to operate only when your banker is at 5/1 or longer in the betting ($6.00+).
  2. Choose two (Horses B and C) runners for 2nd and 3rd. These should usually include a runner at 3/1 or lower.
  3. Take B and C along with nine others to run 3rd.
  4. The cost of this 1-2-11 combination, using $1 units, is $20.

THE $40 PLAN

  1. This operates in the same way as the previous plan except you choose four horses for 2nd and 3rd (Horses B, C, D and E). These should include at least one runner at 3/1 or below.
  2. Take BCDE for 3rd along with seven others, to make 11 for 3rd.
  3. The cost of this 1-4-11 combination is $40.

You’ll realise that with these three plans you must have total confidence in the horse you select to win the race. Everything relies on that horse WINNING the race. If it doesn’t, all is lost. Now we come to a plan where you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. You choose four horses for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

THE FOURSOME PLAN

  1. Choose four runners (ABCD) to run 1st, 2nd and 3rd. This allows you a nice spread and means you can include the favourite along with three selections at much better prices.
  2. You want these four horses to fill 1st and 2nd. For the 3rd placing, add another two runners.
  3. You now have a 4-4-6 combination, costing $48 for $1 units.

The Foursome Plan is not a bad way to go IF you are confident you can land 1st/2nd with your main four selections. If you can, you can then look to four runners filling the 3rd slot for you.

THE $100 BLOCKBUSTER
This is a plan that you should use only when fully satisfied that you have two genuine STRONG contenders to win the race. And they need to be at decent prices. Don’t bet if one of the contenders is at a skinny price because it’s likely to kill the prospect of a good dividend.

  1. Use two runners (Horses A and B) to win and run 2nd and 3rd.
  2. Add another four runners for 2nd and 3rd.
  3. Add another six runners for 3rd, making 12 in all for 3rd placing.
  4. This is a 2-6-12 combination costing $100 if you use $1 units ($50 for 50c units). The combination multiple is worked as follows: 2 x 5 x 10 equals 100 units.

You’ll realise that such a plan demands a high strike rate and some very good dividends, so your choices need to have some value runners included.

By Jon Hudson

PRACTICAL PUNTING – SEPTEMBER 2007