Horse racing enthusiasts worldwide are starting to get pumped up for the most anticipated event in Australia’s horse racing industry. Surely, you are, too, and that’s why you’re here reading this. Scheduled for the 7th of November at the Flemington Racecourse, hundreds of thousands of fans from different parts of the world are expected to come and watch it live. With the crowd plus the AUD$8,000,000 prize money, it’s definitely not called ‘the race that stops a nation’ for nothing!
This year’s Melbourne Cup edition will feature 24 horses, which you can find more information about at punters.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-horses/ or similar resources online. So, if you’re planning to try your luck and bet on a runner or some of them, you need expert tips to succeed. Sure, there’s no definite answer to the question of which horse will win the race, but with a solid strategy in place, the chance of your betting journey becoming profitable skyrockets.
Here are the things to keep in mind before placing a bet:
Note of the horses’ recent forms
If there’s one thing betting experts will look at first when choosing which Melbourne Cup 2023 horse to wager on, it’s recent form. It’s also always part of any Melbourne Cup tips list online, like what you can find here: punters.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-tips/. It makes sense, right? The horse that won or at least entered the top 3 in its recent races leading to the Melbourne Cup should have a higher chance of performing better than those that consistently ranked at the bottom.
However, your sights shouldn’t only be set on the Melbourne Cup itself but also the other races leading to it. Some of the notable events worth checking out are the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and the Geelong Cup. You wouldn’t want to miss out on following these competitions through horse racing YouTube channels like https://www.youtube.com/@PuntersAustralia, as they’re relevant, strong form indicators.
When examining the horses’ recent forms, however, don’t focus only on their performance. It’s also important to check the track’s distance and condition and then compare the data to the actual Melbourne Cup 2023 track distance and condition for a more accurate form evaluation.
Check the horse’s weight
Does horse weight affect the Melbourne Cup 2023 odds? Definitely, yes, so it’s the second factor to consider when choosing your runner.
Naturally, a lighter horse can gallop more than the heavier ones, right? In fact, that’s why handicapping exists. It adds or deducts weight from horses based on handicap rating to ensure that betting odds remain competitive. Basically, the one with better form in recent competitions has to carry more weight.
Okay, so what do the handicapping and the resulting weights of the Melbourne Cup 2023 horses mean for punters like you? If it’s still not yet clear at this point, maybe looking at some statistics and facts will help.
In the race’s history, 54.7 kilograms (kg) is the weight that’s carried to victory the most (seven times). Also, since 2011, only two runners that carried 56 kg or higher clinched the title. Therefore, it might be a good idea to pick the lightest horse. But then again, weight might not be enough—other factors play a role, too, which leads us to the next consideration: barrier draw.
Wait for the barrier draw
What’s a barrier draw? It’s how the order of the horses during the start of the race is determined. Like recent form and weight, it can also have an impact on the Melbourne Cup’s outcome. How? Well, the most important thing to remember when evaluating barrier draws is that the runners positioned wide around turns may need to exert more effort and, thus, use up more energy to get a good position throughout the race than those starting from the inside.
You probably also have heard about the ‘middle trap’ when it comes to the barrier draw for the Melbourne Cup. The middle barriers are positions seven to 17. Since 2000, only one winner has emerged from them, so that’s also something you might want to consider in your assessment and final pick.
Note of the jockeys’ recent forms
While some punters consider it insignificant, many experts agree that the jockey or rider’s recent form is an equally important factor when selecting a runner in the Melbourne Cup. Why not? If you really want to win, you must check all the boxes. Of course, the ideal thing to do is to bet on a jockey with a proven winning record.
If you’re having a difficult time narrowing the field and choosing a runner based on the previously mentioned factors, the rider’s recent form could be the tiebreaker you need.
Conclusion
Melbourne Cup betting or wagering on any horse racing event, like the Kentucky Derby, for that matter, has always been exciting because it’s not easy to pick the winning runner. There are many factors to consider, so you must be prepared intellectually. In addition to market odds, punters should also take note of and assess the horses’ recent forms, the runners’ weight (from handicapping), the positioning from the barrier draw, and the jockeys’ recent performances, among other things, to increase the chance of getting favorable results for their wagers.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect those of Geek Vibes Nation. This article is for educational purposes only.
Jennifer Woods is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.