George Freeman: Australian Racing Identity

George David Freeman was a controversial figure in Australian horse racing history. He was a gambler and racing commission agent born to a builders' assistant in Annandale, Sydney on 22nd January 1935. His father, William David Freeman left the family when George was young while his mother remarried a criminal. However, it was a brief one since his step-father died soon after. A struggling childhood in a two-bedroom slum forced George into a life of crime, with his first incarceration as a 12 year old for stealing.

At the age of 14, he became a stable boy while his criminal ways continued with separate convictions for car theft and a smash-and-grab raid. For this he was remanded to the Mount Penang Training School, Gosford, and then on to the Tamworth Boys' Home due to constant misbehaviour. After his release in January 1953, Freeman was back in the Parramatta jail for stealing once again in 1954, where he met his childhood hero, Darcy Dugan, a notorious prison escapee. Several jail terms followed for petty theft. The last time Freeman saw prison guards was in 1968, in Fremantle, Western Australia. In between, he married a divorcee, Marcia Bedford in 1963 in Sydney. His criminal associations spread to the US, which he visited on a false passport as a guest of Joe Testa, a member of a crime syndicate with interests in Australia. Their association continued during Testa's visits to Sydney in 1969 and 1971.

From 1971, Freeman turned to horse racing as a commission agent and illegal activities as an off-course SP betting operator. Organized crime was said to thrive under his rule in the state, during a period where corruption was rampant among police and politicians. Among his major involvements in illegal betting was his involvement of a syndicate that won the Canberra Totalisator Agency Board jackpot of $500,000. However, Freeman continued to deny any knowledge about the crime.

Freeman was also notorious for hatching a plot to bribe politicians in order to gain control of the Gaming Board in June 1976, which came to be known as the 'Taiping conspiracy'. The plan was allegedly created at Taiping Restaurant, Elizabeth Street, Sydney, on 22 June 1976, where gaming operators were asked to bribe politicians and the authorities.

Freeman's wife divorced him in 1977.

His notoriety made him an 'excludable person' in the United States where he was detained in 1978. The same year he was also identified as a member of organized-crime gangs by the New South Wales parliament. That did not stop Freeman from showing off his wealth, acquiring a huge waterfront mansion at Yowie Bay, Port Hacking, complete with security systems and guard dogs.

Police intelligence continued to trail Freeman, finally tabling a report of his illegal off-course betting activities in parliament in 1979. The P. M. Woodward's royal commission on drug matters recognised Freeman and was named as the kingpin. He survived gunshot wounds in the neck by an unknown attacker in April 1979. Freeman went on to remarry a 24-year-old orthoptist and former actress, Georgina McLoughlin.

While running illegal gaming houses, accusations of murder, and assault were common with Freeman. One of his most famous scandals in horse racing was the 'Mr. Digby affair' at Canterbury in 1981 where he landed a huge plunge. Owned by Freeman, Mr. Digby produced a remarkable form reversal to romp home by seven lengths despite having run well back only two days earlier. However, his only convictions for illegal betting came in 1983 with a $500 fine, and $5000 fine in 1986. Britain imposed an entry ban on Freeman and his wife in 1985 due to his notoriety.

For the most part, Freeman was a suave man, smart dresser, who ruled Sydney's underworld. He published his autobiography on his life, George Freeman: An Autobiography, with candid accounts of his crime-related life. Freeman died due to ill health caused by asthma and kidney disease at Caringbah, and was buried at Waverly cemetery on 20 March 1990.

To read more about Australian Horse Racing, Jockeys Premiership, Horse Racing Tips Australia, Bookmakers, Racecourses and more, go to Pro Group Racing and receive your free E-Book on How to Win at Horse Racing. ==>View here all the Australian Bookmakers

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Hot Trainers - Spotting Conditioners That Are Ready To Go On A Winning Streak

Betting on horse races, like all gambling and most other things in life, is streaky. We've all experienced the ups and downs of wagering. It's a roller coaster ride. One week you're ahead and the next week you're down. Horse racing handicapping isn't for the weak hearted or those who cannot keep their eyes on the prize and ignore temporary setbacks.

The fantasy of making a steady income from betting on the races is a nice one, but in reality, grinding out a steady living just doesn't happen for most people. On the other hand, there is hope once you understand the cycles and your own performance.

In any business there are up and down cycles, so why would it be any different in speculating on horse races? It isn't. Since it is cyclical, however, you can prepare for it and even use that knowledge to your advantage. Let's look at how you can start to minimize losses and maximize profits.

First of all, you must look closely at your own betting and understand what you are betting on and why. Do you play more maiden races? Are you a stakes race specialist? Are most of the races that you play for three year olds? Do you follow trainers and jockeys and focus on their horses? Each one of these questions will give valuable clues to your own wagering and what cycle to expect.

For instance, let's say you follow a trainer whose specialty is turf races. Some trainers do better at certain tracks than others. You may follow a conditioner who does great with his or her horses on the lawn at Saratoga, but who is only marginally good at Gulfstream Park. Obviously, you're not going to do great in the winter, but you will probably make up for it in the summer when they are racing at the Spa.

Some trainers who do well with maidens will have a fresh crop that they start at a certain time each year, perhaps in April, but because that conditioner doesn't usually win first time out, he may not produce wins until May or June. When a trainer is on a hot streak, there is a reason that usually is based on his or her favorite or home track, the age of the stock, and training methods. Learn those three things about any trainer and you will start predicting streaks and cashing in on them, too.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Pace and Weight Make the Race When Handicapping Horse Races

We've all heard that pace makes the race and for most of us, using pace as a handicapping factor is pretty standard procedure. However, there are times when you can still make a nice score off a pace scenario that has another factor involved. The two most common factors that will also impact the pace of a race and the outcome are distance and weight.

By weight, I mean the weight that a horse carries in the race. The actual weight that each runner carries, compared to the load each of the other runners has on his or her back, when compared to the rest of the field is one angle. Another comparison that should be made, however, is how much weight the runner carried last out and how much more or less it will carry in today's race.

A fine example of how a good wager can be found and consequently how a nice mutual ticket may be cashed was demonstrated in the 4th race at Saratoga on the 1st of August, 2011. It was a $25,000 Maiden Claiming race for 3 year olds and up run 1 3/16 miles over the turf course. The first thing that struck me about the race was how little pace there was except for the 10, East Indies, a three year old chestnut gelding by Orientate out of Classy Assets by Jade Hunter.

As you may already know, it is often hard for a horse to go gate to wire in a route race on the turf. It isn't impossible, but it is usually a horse coming from off the pace or even far back who wins the long races on the grass. To many who handicapped the race for non winners, I am sure that thought made them skeptical of East Indies's chances because he had taken the lead in his last race and faded in the stretch to be beaten.

The field was full of horses who would have plenty of kick at the end. That, however, can be a two edged sword. Yes, there would be many who would run well late, but who would challenge the front running East Indies? Then there was one more angle that sweetened the pot and closed the deal for me. East Indies was getting the services of bug boy Irad Ortiz, Jr. and would carry only 114 pounds.

That was 5 pounds less than the favorite would tote over the mile and a sixteenth and it was less than he had carried the last time out when he faded. The combination of no pressure on an early uncontested lead and less weight to take its toll in the stretch was the clincher. The fact that he went to post at 9-2 odds was an absolute gift.

The chestnut gelding sprinted clear in the early going and led by a full 9 lengths at the half.
Though Gunman, under strong urging by jockey Edgar Prado closed valiantly in the stretch, it was not enough to make up all the ground and East Indies won by a comfortable 3 1/4 length margin.

The lesson to be learned from this is that weight is a significant factor and should be used along with pace to determine how a runner will handle today's race.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Betting Essentials for Horse Racing

For those who follow horse racing, it is often thought of in terms of betting. Many factors determine who will win each and there is never a "sure thing" when betting on horses. But you do not need to be an expert in horse racing to make good bets. Just look at some of the basic factors in creating a betting system.

Distance of the Race

Quarter horses typically race over a distance of 1/4 mile, while thoroughbred races may be a mile or more. When considering placing a bet on a horse, consider whether the horse demonstrates speed or endurance and compare its preferences and history to the length of the race you are betting on.

Number of Horses in the Race

It is important to consider the number of horses entered in the race. It is more difficult to pick a winner out of a large field because the horses often have similar strengths. In addition, a horse you like may be at a disadvantage and draw a post position far from the rail.

Track Surface

The track surface also plays a large role when considering which horse to bet on. Most tracks are either dirt or turf, but some are made of synthetic material. Horses have a preference about what type of surface they run best on. Also consider wet or slippery conditions that may present challenges for the horses.

Racing History

Consider the horses running history. Recent history can be found in the Daily Racing Form or racing program at your local track. Look for horses who have raced and done well during the current year. If the horse has not raced recently, find out why. The horse may have suffered an injury that may affect his ability to come back and race well. Also, look out for horses who run frequently or who have run another race less than two weeks ago. Like all athletes, horses need time to recover and running races too close together increases risk of injury and likelihood that the horse will fatigue during the race.

Race Favorites

Prior to placing your bet, find out who the favorites are to win the race. Favorites have the lowest odds, such as 2-1, while long-shots have longer odds, such as 35-1. The longer the odds, the more money you have the chance to win, but the less likely it is that the horse will run well.

World Horse Racing Betting offers resources for horse racing enthusiasts including horse racing information, a directory of race tracks world-wide and reviews of betting software. Visit http://worldhorseracingbetting.com/ for more information.

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Looking for Winners at the Horse Races

When you go to the horse races you'll see many people pouring over the past performances and programs. If you ask them what they are doing each one will probably explain that they are looking for a winner. While it may be true that the past performances can help you to find winners, the lines that indicate how a horse raced before are only part of the story. There is some much more important information right in front of you before the race that you should use.

Whether you have the luxury of being at the race track, or you're only watching the races on a television monitor or even if you're watching them on your computer, looking at the horses is an important step in handicapping. While most of us horse players love to bet on horses, many of us like to just look at horses, after all, they're beautiful and amazing animals. The sensual treat of looking at them, however, can also have benefits beyond the aesthetic.

Horses, as you're well aware, are living breathing creatures who are subject to change from week to week and day to day. Nothing stays the same on this earth. For instance, you may see your friend, Charlie at the races one day and he looks great, his face creased with a broad smile. The next day that you see Charlie, he may be frowning and walking slowly. When you ask what is wrong, Charlie may tell you he isn't feeling well, just not his usual self.

If all you had to go on was Charlie's condition the last time you saw him, you'd say he was in the pink, but things have changed. The same may be true of the runners in a race. That 8 to 5 favorite may have been in fine health and ran a great race a week ago, but how is it feeling today? Just because the track vet cleared it to run today, it doesn't mean that it is feeling fun of run and ready to win again. Horses can't speak in words, but they're body language can tell you a lot.

Therefore, after you do your handicapping and before you bet, look at the horses. As soon as you can, view them in the saddling ring and paddock. Then watch them when they are paraded out to the track. Look them over closely in the post parade. Odds and past performances notwithstanding, which one would you bet based on looks alone? Is the favorite looking good? Is it animated or does it seem rather flat and lackluster?

You can find important clues just by looking the runners over and noting which ones, of the top three or four in your handicapping, look the best. Just remember when you read those lines in the program or form, that was then and this is now. You are betting now, today, not then. A lot can change and that is why favorites lose more than they win.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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The Top Three Horse Racing Handicapping Mistakes You Should Never Make

One of the biggest challenges that most people face when they handicap horse races and try to make a profit is overcoming the vig. In plain English, it is almost impossible to make a profit because you have to pay so much for the privilege of being able to make a bet on a horse race. Therefore, the profit margin does not allow for making even one mistake that can be avoided because that one mistake can mean the difference between success or failure.

While no one is perfect and we each will make the occasional blunder, making errors that could easily be avoided will not only bankrupt you, but also cause you unnecessary frustration and pain. Therefore, let's look at three mistakes that many horse players make.

First and foremost is the lack of planning. Think of a trip to the races or OTB as a financial campaign or even a war or battle, even if it is only a skirmish behind enemy lines. There is probably no other time in your life when you would spend money with little thought or planning and expect to make money, but that is exactly what many people do when they bet on horse races. While luck is a factor, for most it is fleeting and an unknown quantity, so plan and write it down and don't depend on luck.

When I say write it down, I mean write down how much money you start with and a reasonable total for how much you'd like to make for the day. Then write down the names of horses you are following or ones that you feel might be a good bet and write the reason down as well. Whether you win or lose, write down the outcome and whether you wagered on each one and the reasons. Keep your entire day's activities on one sheet of paper and after the day is over put it in a safe place. After you've accumulated a good collection of the daily sheets, review them. You may learn a lot including how to improve your horse racing betting.

Speaking of betting, do you sometimes bet on longshots? If you bet on horses in a wide range of odds, maybe a longshot here, a favorite there, perhaps a mid range odds horse now and then, bet the same amounts on each one. If a horse is worth a bet, it's worth a bet, and if it's worth a bet, in your opinion, then it could win. Granted longshots don't win as often, but when they do, they pay well. You may make as much on longshots as favorites, but you'll have to bet enough to make it pay.

Finally, don't spread yourself too thin. I started going to the races decades ago when you went to the race track and there was only the one track and races to bet on. There was no such thing as simulcasting. You played whatever was available at your local track. That usually meant that most people who attended regularly enough became experts when it came to knowledge of their local track. Can you say that you have enough knowledge of the players and biases and trends at any track to be considered an expert?

If you can't it is probably because, like many people in the age of simulcasting, you wager on many tracks and try to handicap them all. Consequently you become, "a jack of all tracks and master of none." Narrow down your focus and you may win more and lose less.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Ratios for Horse Racing Handicapping and Picking Winners

Many people are aware of the factors used to handicap a horse race, but how many know just how important each factor may be? Do you know if class or speed is more important in that turf race you are now handicapping? Is early speed the most important consideration in that dirt sprint? Knowing how the factors relate to each other will help you to pick more winners.

Some people call it weighing the factors. The most important aspect of the race gets the most weight. If may be expressed as a percentage or as a simple number such as Speed +1.43. Obviously, even though class, speed, or other considerations may seem to matter more, we can't disregard the other things that make handicapping the challenge that it is.

A lot of times, the way to determine which one of the many statistics and bits of data you are analyzing is the strongest is to look for the differences between the runners. For instance, if you have a maiden claiming race where the top three contenders have the following average speed figures, A=78, B=77, and C=75, you have three horses who are closely matched for speed.

If your research has shown that speed is usually the most important factor in handicapping maidens, then you might assume that A has a slight advantage over B who has a bigger advantage over C. But there is more to it than that, because B is dropping out of the Maiden Special Weight ranks into a mid-class maiden claimer. That gives B a big class advantage. In this case, though speed is usually the first consideration, the class drop is now determines who your top pick will be.

Comparing one number to another and looking at it as a fraction or ratio is one way to see just how big the difference, or advantage may be. For speed we have 78/77 but for class, using the purse, we have $45,000/28,000. Now the difference becomes quite clear. While we still have to consider other handicapping tools, ratios will help you to make the many comparisons that make horse racing handicapping so challenging and potentially profitable.

There are several ways to use this information. First of all, you can determine what the most important factor is in any class of race just by looking at the winners of past races and comparing their speed, class, pace, and connections to the other horses who ran against them. Secondly, you can create a fraction or ratio for comparing the attributes of the horses in a given race.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Handicapping Is A Game Of Inches Spread Over Furlongs

If you are trying to pick enough winners to make money betting on horse races, you may have noticed that many races end with a photo finish. Did you ever think of what that really means in terms of picking winners and making a profit? The race may be anywhere from 5 furlongs (5/8's of a mile) to 12 furlongs (a mile and a half) and yet, at the end, two or more horses are so close that it takes technology and a photo to determine who won.

We think of races in terms of splits or fractions of a mile. We handicap pace by determining the quarter mile and half mile and sometimes three quarter mile calls. And yet, the final result may be determined by as little as a fraction of an inch based on the position of a horse's head and nose at the finish line.

Is it really that the runners in so many races are that closely matched? I doubt it. I think there are several other possibilities and they all have to do with human nature. The jockeys must determine how fast a front runner travels, if they can harness the speed and throttle back on the horse. Those that come from off the pace must also make a judgment call and stay within striking distance of the front runners.

Then there are the closers who come from way back with a big rush and try to win in the stretch or hitting the wire. Do you notice any common theme in this whole description of the running of a race? Could it be that the front runner(s) and when they hit the finish line is what the whole race is about? So much of the running of a thoroughbred race is based on rider judgment that looking anywhere else for answers to how the horses will finish is useless.

The question is, How well will the front runner's jockey manage that early speed? It is also wise to ask yourself, when handicapping a race, how well will the other jockeys each manage their own mount's running style and energy? This is why the fastest horse doesn't always win the race.

The winner is often the jockey who managed his or her mount's speed and who also had a mount with enough speed to time a perfect run at the front runner and finish line, or if he or she was on the front runner, then to time it perfectly so the horse had enough left to hold off the late challengers. Knowing how good a jockey manages pace and how much horse he or she has is key to winning, but always demand a fair price because in a game of inches, the finish is often close, but not quite a win.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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For Success Betting on Horse Races, Impose Your Own Debt Ceiling

If you look at wagers as debts, then you realize that raising or lowering that limit or ceiling has a direct impact on your income and risk. If you want to avoid your own financial crisis and going broke, then you have to practice good money management. Many people say that, but few actually explain what they mean. Let's start with the goal of money management. The first rule of being in business or of being a gambler, which have similarities, is to protect your bankroll, assets.

Therefore, every decision or bet should be made with this one thought in mind, How will this bet affect my bankroll?

I know that sounds a bit odd, maybe even funny, but as simple and as obvious as it may appear, that must be somewhere in your logic stream. Financial success hinges on being able to keep making purchases until the market is in your favor. For many who buy and sell on the stock market, the old phrase, Buy low and sell high, comes to mind.

In terms of wagering what we mean is that when you wager, your wager should return a profit that will cover all wagers and return a profit on top of that. So betting in the same situation ten times and cashing three times should return the ten units that you invested plus a profit. Ten $100 win bets would equal $1,000. If you won on three of them and each one paid an average of $350 then you would collect $1,050 for your investment.

The $50 would be your profit. You would have a positive ROI (return on investment) of +.05%, in other words you would make five cents for every dollar wagered. That may not sound like much money, but in a high risk venture like horse racing betting, if you can actually get out with 5% profit after paying the high vig, or takeout, you're not doing too badly.

Keeping in mind our original problem of protecting our bankroll, when you made those wagers you would have a plan or system of wagering as well as handicapping. Your handicapping system would evaluate the runners so you could estimate the probability of each one winning. Your investment system, also know as your money management plan, would divide your bankroll into increments that were small enough so you could last through any losing streak, or downturn, and still be making wagers when your horses won.

Your debt ceiling then becomes the most money you can wager on a single race and also in a single day, keeping in mind the downturns or losing streaks

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Track Conditions Listed As Fast and Firm Can Spell Trouble for Handicappers

The first thing that many horse racing handicappers check when they visit their local track or OTB is the condition of the race track surface. While some people do look forward to a surface rated as muddy or off, most people betting on horse races like to wager on contests over a dry surface, meaning a fast dirt track or firm turf course.

The reason most punters like the fast dry surface is because it is easier to estimate speed and pace and also usually means that there will not be much of a bias. However, these terms are arbitrary at best and the wise prognosticator learns to check out the surface for him or her self. In the case of racing on the grass, that surface may be listed as yielding, soft, etc. That is only have the story, however. In the summer time, the turf may get very dry and there may even be sandy or bare patches.

The grass course that is subject to rain and then drying out in the hot sun can actually dome up very hard. Usually, turf courses have more give to them and favor horses with sore legs or some lameness. It is usually known as a more forgiving surface, but that can all change and is something a good handicapper should be aware of and note.

Dirt tracks present their own set of problems and challenges. They can dry out and favor certain paths, either the rail, center, or even outside paths. The only way to really be sure how your favorite oval is playing is to keep notes and be aware of trends for certain running styles and post positions to start winning. It is work, but in the real world of handicapping, the successful people work very hard and use an arsenal of tools far beyond the weekend punter.

They use breeding, inside information on trainers and jockeys, statistics, workout notes and times, and many other tools. While some pros do use one or two favorite horse racing angles to account for most of their wins, they are often aware of many things and will only bet when all the conditions are right. It is safe to wager that they will not place a large bet unless they are certain their horse isn't running against a track bias.

One of the ways that you can get a winning edge is to always keep notes about your favorite track and use them to beat the crowd of casual players.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Jockey Changes Can Signal a Change in the Horse for Smart Handicappers

The most significant piece of equipment any race horse carries is the jockey. Blinkers and tongue ties may make a big difference, but when it is all said and done, the rider who pilots the horse and makes crucial decisions in a split second is the biggest key to success. Most past performances list equipment changes, though they still don't tell us about tongue ties, but which one notes a change in rider? You have to look for those yourself.

When a different jockey will be in the irons the astute handicapper makes a note of it and tries to figure out what that means to the performance of the horse and the sharpest horse players know it isn't all about jockey win percentages. There may be many reasons for a change and the most significant one is that the horse may have improved or declined since its last race.

That is what you really need to think about and question when you see the regular rider is off. The first thing to check is whether that new rider is one of the trainer's go-to riders. If a generic reinsman gets off and a rider with a high win percent for that conditioner gets on, that is a very positive sign. Does it signal an instant win? Certainly not.

There may be several reasons why a trainer will ask his or her favorite jock to get on a horse. Maybe the conditioner wants the rider's opinion about the animal or wants to try something different. It may also mean that the former rider decided he or she had enough and there is another mount that has a better chance of winning that is available. I think the best way to describe the often baffling business of musical riders is that there are wheels within wheels and you may never be able to figure out just why the rider switch occurred.

One way to find a clue as to the jockey switch is to check the recent works. Do you see an improvement? Is there an equipment change today? Let's say the trainer tried blinkers on the horse and got a much better workout time from it, that may be why a better jockey has been given the mount today.

If there is a suspicious lack of workouts, however, and a leading rider gets off the horse, it may signal a decline or even a physical problem such as lameness. If you are of a conspiratorial mindset, you might suspect that a lesser known jockey will keep the odds higher on the horse and that is why a no-name jockey has climbed aboard, but in my experience, things are seldom that murky in the world of training horses. The conditioners are pretty straightforward with their moves and if you take the time to learn a little about horse training, you'll usually be able to figure out the reasons for equipment changes or jockey switches.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Betting Strategy Based on Probability and Bankroll

Every horse player should use a system for evaluating the runners and also for evaluating the bets, or odds. One is based on the other and they work together to form the basis of a betting strategy with two goals.

1. Preserve your bankroll

2. Make a profit

While it may appear simple on the surface or at first glance, it is devilishly difficult to reconcile probability with price because the market, as I often refer to the wagering pools is very good at adjusting itself. If there was no takeout, otherwise known as the vig, then breaking even would not be difficult and actually making a profit would be within the reach of more people. Unfortunately for the bettors, however, the piper must be paid and the vig is the bane of a horse player's existence.

The best wagering strategy then should be one that makes wagers in small enough increments, or units to withstand the ravages of a very volatile market as well as returning a profit above and beyond the actual money wagered.

The process of finding the best horse racing bets starts with a handicapping method that uses the major factors of horse racing to determine how likely each runner may be to find the winner's circle. In mathematical terms, the melding of these factors after weighting each one, is known as an algorithm. Your job as an investor is to find the horse racing system with the best algorithm for the particular track and races that you are playing.

Your next step is to assign odds to each horse that will become your value line. If you start with break even odds and then add what you feel is your least amount of profit to the odds, you will arrive at your own limit. For instance, if horse A has a 50% chance of winning the race, then the break even amount to bet on that horse would be even money or 1-1. But if you need to make a profit of 20% in order to make the bet attractive then you must add that to the wagering amount. If you need to wager $2 to make $4 back and must add 20% to that your new wager limit becomes a payoff of $4.80.

For every $4 that you wager you will get a return of $4.80 and that will be a profit of 80 cents on every successful wager. Remember, your winning wagers also include the price of your losing wagers when determining your profit margin and costs.

So a simple way to express this strategy is...

Pr(profit) = W (minimum wager) / P (probability) x PM (profit margin)

.80 = $2/.50 x.20

The critical parts of this strategy are first of all to accurately evaluate and determine each runner's chances of winning and secondly to watch the tote board and find the runner that will return a profit based on the odds and expected probability.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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The Specialization of Horse Racing Handicapping Using Sire Data

Here is a question that any person who wants to win money betting on horses should be able to answer. What is the single most important factor in a horse race? This will create many arguments and the answer will be controversial, but after five decades of watching horses, here is my opinion, it's breeding. As an example, let's look at the triple crown races in the United States for the year 2011.

Shackleford won the Preakness, the shortest of the three races, but was caught and beaten in the other two. Many handicappers predicted that would happen and they were right. Animal Kingdom, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, was bred to run all day while Shackleford, though a great competitor with plenty of heart, just couldn't get the distance.

The same scenario played out in the Belmont when Ruler On Ice won at the classic distance of a mile and a half. This was perhaps one of the most obvious examples of breeding and how it can be used to handicap a horse race. The racing fans who backed Shackleford were betting against genetics and that is perhaps the surest way to go broke at the races, though few people use it as effectively as it can be used.

Every day, all over the world, thoroughbreds are asked to win at distances or over surfaces that they are not genetically equipped to handle. Millions of people bet fortunes on the runners. A much smaller percentage of horse racing handicappers win money betting on the horses who are bred to succeed. I'm not only talking about distance, but also surface and even the very track itself.

The term, "horses for courses," means certain horses seem to like a particular track and surface. One of the most famous of all time was Fourstardave, other wise known as, "The Sultan of Saratoga," because he won a race over the Saratoga track each year from 1987 to 1994. His career earnings were over one and a half million dollars and a stakes race at, "the Spa," (Saratoga Race Track) now bears his name.

For those handicappers who play Saratoga, looking over the runners bloodlines may be beneficial if they can find runners who share some of the same ancestors such as Nearco (on both sides of Fourstardave's parents) and Northern Dancer by Neartic out of Native Dancer on his sire, Compliance's side. There are no guarantees that a horse with the same bloodlines will be as successful as another, but controlled breeding has been how thoroughbreds were developed, so it does bear watching and following.

You will find certain bloodlines that win more often at certain tracks and distances. The bloodlines that win at a mile at Monmouth Park may not be as successful at a mile at Belmont. The same may be true of runners at Santa Anita who may or may not fare as well on the East Coast. Breeding is one more tool that you can use to evaluate the runners to establish the probability of winning and that is how good bets are found.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Biographies: Lester Piggott

Lester Keith Piggott, who was born 5 November 1935 in Wantage, Oxfordshire, is a retired English jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". He is considered to be the best of his generation and the greatest flat racing jockey of all time, with 4,493 career wins, including nine Derby victories.

Family background and personal life:

Lester Piggott is the son of Keith Piggott, who was a successful National Hunt jockey and trainer. Keith Piggott won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey in 1939 and the Grand National as a trainer in 1963 with Ayala. In that 1962-63 season he became British jump racing Champion Trainer. Lester's grandfather, Ernie Piggott, rode three Grand National winners, in 1912, 1918 and 1919 and was married to a sister of the jockeys Mornington Cannon and Kempton Cannon, who both rode winners of the Epsom Derby, in 1899 and 1904 respectively.

Piggott is married to Susan Armstrong. Her father Sam Armstrong and Robert Armstrong were both racehorse trainers. Lester and Susan have two daughters, Maureen, an ex-eventer who is married to Derby-winning trainer William Haggas, and Tracy who is a well respected sports presenter on the Irish television station RTÉ. Lester also has a son, Jamie, from a relationship with Anna Ludlow, his long-term mistress.

Jamie hopes to follow in his father's footstep as a jockey. Away from the glare of the British racing world, Piggott's only son made his "racetrack" debut, riding in a pony meeting in Broadford, Co Limerick. According to racing insiders, Piggott is fiercely protective of his son and whilst quietly supportive of his desire to become a jockey, won't force him into anything. Unfortunately, it is thought that Jamie may end up too big - at over nine stone - to become a Flat jockey like his father. Instead, he may pursue a career, like his grandfather Keith, as a jump jockey. Keith won the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival as a jockey in 1939 and the Grand National at Aintree as a trainer in 1963. There have been at least four generations of Piggotts who have ridden as jockeys.

His achievements:

Just over 5,300 winners in the UK & abroad
9 Derbys
3 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes.
11 Championships. 1960, 1964-71, 1981 & 1982.
30 Classic victories in England.
25 centuries between 1955 & 1984.
Wins in 27 countries outside the UK.

One of Britain's most famous jockeys, Lester Piggott began racing horses from his father's stable when he was ten years old and won his first race in 1948, aged twelve years, on a horse called The Chase at Haydock Park. Certainly a teenage sensation, he rode his first winner of the Epsom Derby on Never Say Die in 1954 aged eighteen years and went on to win eight more. Famously tall for a jockey, he is 5 ft 8 in/1.73 m tall, hence his nickname of "The Long Fellow". He also struggled to keep his weight down. Nevertheless, he became Champion Jockey eleven times during his fantastic career.

Piggott, who retired in 1995, tarnished his good name, and sacrificed his OBE, when he was jailed in 1987 for tax fraud. The jockey, whose fortune was estimated at £20 million, spent a year in prison.

My website features the horse racing archive of my late father, the professional photographer Leonard Robert Anslow. An album containing 128 colour slides of jockeys and trainers circa 1968. Also, information on horse racing collectables, books, memorabilia and gifts. http://www.horseracingcollectables.com/

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The Biggest Obstacle to Your Horse Racing Handicapping Success

Just how difficult is it to make money betting on thoroughbreds or harness horses? It is extremely difficult, almost, but not impossible. You can find many reasons for the difficulty including, the high takeout, or vig., too many variables, race fixing, the weather, trying to beat insiders who have information you don't have, and then, there's you. As hard as it may be to admit, you may be sabotaging your own success at the horse races.

There are common mistakes that humans make whenever they try to do something that is difficult. Sometimes they relate to the person's past and his programming. It may even go back to childhood. While no one wants to look for a Freudian reason for missing the daily double, it is possible that the reason you missed it is rooted in your subconscious mind.

Is years of psychoanalysis the answer to becoming a great handicapper? Probably not. Though it may help to review your behavior and thought processes in order to identify problems with your decision making and problem solving. We all have these quirks and kinks that we have to work out, not only when it comes to picking winners and actually coming out ahead at the track, but also in all other areas of our lives.

So how do you apply this to your horse racing handicapping? You have to start by paying attention to your decision making and judgment and write things down, starting with the reason you make a bet and the reason you don't make a bet. Why did you choose to wager on the 3 at 5-1 odds rather than the 6 at 2-1 odds? How did that work out for you?

Decision making is a two part process that is evaluated by the final outcome. First you gather your facts or data and secondly you make a decision after weighing the facts. The quality of the information and the skill in decision making will determine the outcome which you can then evaluate for efficiency. If you make five wagers at the races today and lose $50, even though you had a winner, then that is all information that you must evaluate in order to arrive at a conclusion.

If you see the same reason written down over and over and it leads to a losing bet, guess what, you've identified a problem with your decision making. The "why," of the decision is at the heart of your behavior and thought processes and where the real answer to your success or failure lies. You may say, "I bet on the 3 even though I thought the 6 would win because I don't like to bet on favorites."

Why don't you like to bet on favorites? Is it a monetary decision or does the real reason lie closer to the fact that you don't like to feel like you're following the crowd and you want to feel smarter than most people? If so, then why do you have the need to feel smarter?

While this type of self searching may be very uncomfortable for you, until you overcome the reason for that feeling which leads to losing bets, you will never be a winner. This was just one example. You have to do your own research by writing things down. Sometimes it also helps to talk to another handicapper and listen to what you are saying. It is a form of cheap psychoanalysis that often works. That's the reason that barbers, bartenders, and hairdressers are often good counselors. They listen and you hear yourself talk and find out how you feel about things, often to your own surprise.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Horse Racing Tips - A Punter's Best Friend, Save Time And Money

The harsh reality is that the horse racing industry flourishes on the backs of punters. Punters put their hard earned money on the line everyday; into a system which is designed to take that money away from them. There are many such systems out there that are structured against those participating.

Have you ever put a dollar into a slot-machine? I bet you have (pun intended), and the reality is that the machine is fixed to only return approximately 80 cents back to you - and that would be a good machine! So you win your 80 cents back, put it back in, and this time it's going to return 64 cents. You cannot win in the long term against such a system; it will take its cut straight out of your pocket.

Bookmakers and TABs all pay the racing industry commissions from the money they make from punters. And they make sure that they make that money, when they frame a market. On average the TAB will make 17% profit on a race, so when you hear someone saying "I took money off the bookies today", they're wrong. The bookies don't lose in the long run. Sure they might make a mistake and badly frame a market but they aren't in the business for charity, the money won by others is the money left over after the bookie takes a cut.

While the slot-machine is a no-win gamble, we punters are playing with a handicap. That doesn't mean we can't win, but it is not easy.

Anyone espousing an easy win is lying to you. It takes years of research, dedication, hard work and most likely a financial loss of some sort. Take a look at the people sitting around the TAB, staring at screens and putting on frenzied bets with a few seconds left to go. There's very little structure, thought, or research put into it, and the occasional win hooks them in further, mistakenly thinking that they are on the right path.

If you do what everyone else is doing, then the results you get will be the same as theirs. 98% of punters lose money in the long term, because the system is structured against them.

To win, you need to put in the hard work, or leverage off someone else's. Either way there is a cost, so if you want to get into the 2% of winners, be prepared to pay the price.

Guy is a horse racing analyst, systems developer and experienced punter.

Expert horse racing tips developed with hard work, research, sweat and tears. Find out more about how we can help you at http://tipping.guild.net.au/.

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Do Professional Horse Players Win By Following Horses or Handicapping Races?

Here is a question that has intrigued many would-be horse racing handicappers, "Should I just follow horses or should I actually handicap races looking for profitable situations?"

What an excellent question. Of course, there is another way to profit from horse racing handicapping, too. You can also set your own morning line for value, in other words, evaluate each horse in a race and estimate the break even odds on such a runner. Then you sit back and watch the money before the race looking for that horse that is under valued by the crowd.

Some of the most successful people in any facet of horse racing are those who know pedigrees inside and out. They can trace a runner's lines back five or more generations and tell you the strengths and weaknesses of the major sires and dams in the horse's family tree. These same people would usually lean toward following individual horses. They may even become owners or consultants for buyers of thoroughbreds.

Though breeding is crucial for success in horse racing, it often isn't enough. Many well bred expensive yearlings have failed to win a race. While many fortunes have been made in the breeding shed, they've also often been lost in the sales ring. Horse trading and horse buying has always been considered a risky business.

So those students of breeding who follow a horse and wager on it often also handicap the races that the promising youngster is entered into. They know that it's not enough to know the stride length and blood lines of a horse but also to be realistic and look at the competition in today's race.

On the other side of the coin are the number crunchers or spot play hunters. They evaluate the runners in a contest based on past performances, track models, and the percentages and strengths of the connections. Some trainers are known for winning with young horses or dominating on the turf. That is taken into account when trying to figure out how each runner will do in a race.

The best handicappers use pedigree and handicapping when they evaluate each runner's chances in order to establish a probability. They may lean more heavily on pedigree in the case of maidens or horses changing distance or surface for the first time, or they may really more on current form and racing record in the case of older horses.

The ability to decide which of these categories or factors is most important is what separates the pros from those handicappers who are still trying to show a profit from betting on horse races.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Watching Horse Racing Videos

Many people are very passionate about watching horse racing videos. Horse racing, "The Sport of Kings," has a long history and is still going strong today. Videos of races can be found all over the internet and on betting sites. Whether you are betting on the race or not, watching the videos will give you a greater appreciation and understanding of the sport and the horses themselves.

Here is why people continue to watch racing videos:

Improve Technique

Watching racing videos is a great way for anyone involved in the sport to improve technique. Watching past performances allows you to learn from past mistakes as well as examine the things that went right.

For those betting on the race, watching old videos improves your betting success in many ways. Watching the races allows you to get to know the horses and jockeys and to examine their strengths and weaknesses and their likes and dislikes. This knowledge will allow you to predict, based on the track conditions and other horses in the field, which horse is most likely to win.

In addition, through the horses and races, you will get a chance to learn indirectly about trainers and their horses. This is especially important when a new horse is introduced to the race, you can at least get an idea of the horses performance based on the trainer and the jockey riding it.

Those involved in the actual racing also benefit greatly from watching the races. Trainers watch races to get a second view of their own horses and how they run. It tells them what races the horse is best suited for and what issues need to be worked out in training.

Jockeys also benefit in learning about a new mount or the conditions of a new racetrack. In addition, watching the videos allows them to get an understanding of the strategies used by the other jockeys and what to look out for from other horses in the field.

Entertainment

Horse racing is a great form of entertainment. Watching horses fly around the track and seeing how a rider a tenth of the horse's size can control that strength and power is exhilarating. In addition, the excitement is even greater when you wager on the race you are watching.

Passion

Many people are so passionate about racing, that they enjoy watching races whenever possible. While new races offer the excitement of the unknown and a chance to test your knowledge of the field, watching old races is just as enjoyable for those passionate about the sport.

World Horse Racing Betting offers resources for horse racing enthusiasts including horse racing information, a directory of race tracks world-wide and reviews of betting software. Visit http://blog.worldhorseracingbetting.com/ for more information.

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How the Races Can Be the Right Fit for Hen and Stag Parties

Planning a hen or stag party is not any easy feat. You need to plan something that is memorable and fun (for all the right reasons) and which keeps the entire group happy. The days of a simple night on the town being enough is no longer the norm; nowadays, hens, stags and party-goers expect something a little more special from the event.

One of the most popular options in recent years has been a fun day out at the races. The UK is home to some of the world's finest racecourses, meaning the 'sport or kings' is now accessible to people from all over the country, from all walks of life. Here are 10 reasons why the races could be the perfect fit for your hen or stag parties.

1. It's become increasingly common for hen and stag parties to begin with a daytime activity. This helps to make the party feel more event-like, ensuring the stag or hen gets a memorable send off into marriage. Most race meets begin early afternoon and conclude in the early evening, paving the way for a night on the town.

2. The great thing about the races is that it's ideal for people of all ages, meaning if you're inviting the hen's mum or the stag's dad, they can still have a great time. Even if they don't fancy the night of partying later on, they can still join their daughter or son for the day part.

3. Not all hen's want to go round with 'L' plates, some want something a little more sophisticated for their 'last night of freedom' and likewise, the stag may also want something a little classier than the usual cheeky/sweary T-shirts. The races are all about style and panache, which means all guests will have a chance to put on their finest clobber and enjoy a fantastic day.

4. Many racecourses host annual Ladies Days, which are perfect for hen parties. It gives the group a chance to don their favourite frocks and enjoy a glass of champagne on a day that's all about fashion and fun.

5. Some racecourses are also now hosting Gentlemen's days, where, similarly, male attendants can 'suit up', experience complimentary treatments at the grooming stables and visit a casino - all of which are perfect for memorable stag parties.

6. With so many different racecourses throughout the UK, there is simply somewhere for everyone. From style and class to fun and partying, both the venues and their local surroundings mean you can choose an event that's tailored to your needs.

7. There are many different enclosures and areas within each racecourse, allowing visitors to enjoy a tipple in between racing and placing bets. This means you can get the party started in the day and be ready for the evening. Just remember to pace yourself; you don't want the event ending early because of over-indulgence.

8. If you're planning an all-day event, there's every chance you'll want feeding at some point in the proceedings. Many racecourses have on-site, top quality restaurants; while others have a good selection of eateries located nearby.

9. VIP areas can also be found in UK's best racecourses, providing an opportunity to create an extra special day for the hen or stag.

10. The great news about the races is that many courses now offer discounted rates and special deals for group bookings, which means it is no longer an expensive option.

If you're planning hen or stag parties, the races can be a memorable and fun day out that paves the way for an enjoyable evening.

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Simple Handicapping Rules for Identifying False and Over Bet Favorites in Horse Races

Since the favorite is the horse with the most money wagered on it in a horse race, a lot of the focus of the bettors is in either winning with the favorite or betting against it and winning. If you are handicapping horse races and wagering then your focus should be to make a profit. The joy of gambling and watching beautiful runners as well as the drama and spectacle is all part of the game, but when the cheering is over and the moans of despair have faded away, having more jingle in your pocket will enable you to keep playing.

As you evaluate each runner in the race, your goal is probably to estimate each one's chances of winning and converting it into a number that you can then work with to compare to a payoff. For instance, if Horse A is going to win about 20% of the time, it must be going off at 4-1 in order for a win bet on Horse A to be a break even proposition. If the favorite is at 2-1 and will pay $6 for every two dollar win bet, then it must be able to win at lest a third of the time in your calculations.

Another way to look at it is simple percentages using the totals in the win pool. If the chalk has 40% of the win pool bet on it and in your estimation only has a 30% chance of winning, that means that another horse must be under valued by the crowd. That is a false favorite and creates a nice betting opportunity for you, if you can spot the horse that is better than it appears.

How you arrive at the actual probability of the people's choice winning the race should be based on multiple handicapping factors such as speed, class, pace, connections, post position, and form. These factors are all part of the mix and many handicappers are good at analyzing them but leave out one important step. They fail to acquaint themselves with the actual statistics for races of the same class, distance, surface, gender. In other words, there is a race model that shows how often favorites win and what running style, post position, etc., wins most often.

If you find a horse that has an edge in several critical categories such as speed and pace, you may rate its chances very high, but what if the race favors closers and this is a front runner who must be out front all the way? Its running style may seriously compromise its chances of winning and yet, the crowd may make it the favorite. Even though your handicapping has shown it to have an edge, using your knowledge of what it takes to win in that particular spot, you should spot this one as a false favorite and look for a horse that may win from off the pace.

It isn't enough to know who has the edge in certain categories, it is also important to compare that favorite to the race model and statistics for winners under the same conditions. Horses who are running against the grain are often a gold mine for handicappers who will take a chance on another horse better suited to the race and they are one of the best false favorites to bet against.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Money Mistakes That People Make at the Horse Races

Here is one of my favorite sayings, "Good money management will get you through times of bad handicapping better than good handicapping will get you through times of bad money management."

That is the truth and whether we horse playing gamblers like to admit it or not, unless we are fiscally responsible, no amount of winners will save out bankroll. When it comes to the financial side of betting on horse races, we have to think like accountants and treat wagering on horse races like a business.

The colorful characters and spectacle of beautiful thoroughbreds, the drama of the thousand and one human interest stories notwithstanding, horse racing, with all its thrills, is still a grind when it comes to making it pay. I found that out as an owner. When you're paying vets and grooms and trainers, as well as buying feed and supplements, you have to keep track of every dime and will have to account for every penny if you want to survive.

What is true on the backside is true in the grandstand and clubhouse. The horse players who keep track of their bets and know what they are doing are the ones who have a chance to make money. Admittedly, it also takes a good systematic approach to handicapping or choosing bets, but it all starts and ends with money management.

I realize that many of you who play the horses don't want to feel like a bean counter at the races. The people who seek recreation and a chance to get a respite from everyday life don't want to account for every penny spent at the races. That's understandable, if your goal is to have some recreation and to be entertained.

On the other hand, if that is how you operate at the races, don't be surprised if you wind up losing whatever you bring into the track, because you'll be playing up against people who take handicapping very seriously and who play to win.

I like to compare the need for profit with the need to gamble to find out where a horse player falls on the scale of professionalism. The more your need to gamble, for whatever reason, the more caution should be used and the more you should limit your race track spending.

If all you want to do is bet every race and see if you can cash some tickets, just for fun, there's nothing wrong with that as long as you only spend money you can afford to lose. One of the best ways to do that is to only bring as much money as you can risk and leave the rest at home. While we're on the subject, leave the debit and credit cards at home, too, because they now have those tempting ATM machines at the races.

If you are serious about making a profit from betting on horse races, then I suggest you start writing down all your wagers just as though it is a business. If you don't want to do that, in my opinion, you are a recreational gambler, and there is nothing wrong with that, as long as you admit it to yourself and only risk what you can afford to lose.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Joe Taylor: Horse Trainer, Punter and Gentleman

Joe Taylor was born in Sydney in 1908 to Edmund Barton Taylor, who earned his keep as a hotel cellarman, and Norah Catherine Killalea.

Taylor first took up boxing as a young man, played Rugby league, and filled in as a bill poster before advancing to management of boxers and Rugby League teams.

In 1932, he married Edith Anne May Johnson at St. Pius's Catholic Church in Enmore. That union persisted for 8 years, producing a son prior to a divorce in 1944. If asked at this stage, he would claim the occupations of bookmaker and shipwright.

Less than a month after, he married again to Elizabeth Watson. That lady produced two daughters before she died and left Taylor a widower.

Taylor's passion in life was gambling and those early years often saw him leaving his wages for the week at the track.

The period of WWII had Taylor involved with Thommo's two-up school, essentially a series of illegal card games that was initiated by George Guest in 1910 and operated for many years in Sydney. Taylor supplemented this with some baccarat schools.

Taylor brought Rose's Restaurant back to life in 1949, christening it the Celebrity Restaurant Club. It was wildly popular with the racing set, especially during the 50s and 60s, and featured top shelf entertainment imported from, among other places, America.

In 1954, he expanded by opening the Carlisle Club in Kings Cross which also proved a hit. History states that there were illicit gaming facilities on the premises of his clubs, but a sanguine perspective would offer that this was just a case of a business trying to please its clientele. That same year, he assumed control of Thommo's following the death of George Guest.

As a punter, Taylor wagered with everyone's favourite commodity: Cash. He used his employees as agents to place his bets, and enjoyed substantial success on his own horses to the extent that other bookies opened his horses lower. This did not prevent Taylor from turning a profit, however, and Taylor was his own man when the subject of buying horses arose.

Trainers of note that prepped Taylor's horses for him were Reg Farris, senior and junior, as well as Albert Woods and Kevin Hayes.

Taylor gambled at cards and wagered on the dish lickers as well. He was considered a "magnificent, if unflamboyant," gambler, and had the unique attitude that "money is nothing but betting ammunition," and was more a source of pleasure than an end to itself. Big Bill Waterhouse is quoted as saying Taylor was "one of the few men in the world who completely doesn't give a damn about money."

Nowhere was this attitude more apparent than on the day that Taylor experienced his greatest racing triumph, a 1962 STC Golden Slipper Stakes win for his horse Birthday Card. He is reputed to have given most of his winnings, thousands in fact, to his mates, and lost the rest when another of his horses finished dead last in the last race of the day.

A modern day Robin Hood such as Taylor is often known by the company he keeps and Taylor enjoyed some notoriety via his association with personalities such as Jack Davey and State premier Sir Robert Askin. He was also associated with Ezra Norton, publisher of the Sydney Daily Mirror and owner of the 1957 Melbourne Cup winner Straight Draw.

Less savory, perhaps, acquaintances included confederates from the illegal gambling community, namely Len McPherson, Fred Anderson and Perce Galea.

Taylor seemed also to possess connections with the law enforcement establishment because police raids designed to topple the illegal gambling operations never quite seemed effective in closing the shop.

In 1971, at the age of 63 Taylor married for a third time, marrying a 46-year-old secretary, Patricia Moffit, listing his occupation as restaurateur. Five years later, he died from a heart attack. He is survived by the son from his first marriage and the daughters from his second.

Taylor's legacy to the sport of punting will forever be that he knew his horses, honoured his debts, dealt in cash, and most importantly, did it with grand style and few enemies.

To read more about Australian Horse Racing, Jockeys Premiership, Horse Racing Tips Australia, Bookmakers, Racecourses and more, go to Pro Group Racing and receive your free E-Book on How to Win at Horse Racing. ==>View here all the Australian Bookmakers

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Easy Horse Racing Systems and Basic Money Management

Everybody is looking for an easy horse racing system to pick winners and make money betting on the races. Who wouldn't want to take a few minutes to scan a program of form and then make some cash? Many people who sell horse racing systems boast that you can turn the race track into your own private ATM. Does anyone really believe that?

The truth is that there are easy methods of picking winners and some of the simple systems will actually help you to win more and lose less. Any systematic method is better than chaos with no thought for how to evaluate the horses or how to find good bets. On the other hand, just being a bit more organized isn't going to beat one of the toughest games in the world.

If you want to start to get your horse racing handicapping under control and you don't have a system that you're using now, or if the method you're using isn't working, I recommend that you do find a way to get things under control. Start with the basic factors of handicapping, such as speed, class, form, pace, and connections (jockey-trainer).

You should also write everything down and keep good notes that you can refer to, but don't make it too complicated or you'll only confuse yourself and wind up being a bean counter or journalist rather than a winning horse player. I'm not saying that starting with a simple handicapping method and notes is going to make you a profitable horse player, but it is a start in the right direction.

Respect every dollar. Don't make frivolous bets and don't waste money. Use a basic money management system based on your total bankroll and units. Setup your betting amounts as a percentage of your bankroll. Let's say you have $500 in your horse racing fund. Allotting $100 a day, or 20% of your total bankroll, is a place to start. So the first day you make 5 bets that are also based on the $100 and 20% rule. Therefore, each betting unit is $20.

The next day you start all over again and based on your total bankroll, you allot 20% for the day's bets. Let's say your total bankroll is now $480. That means that.20 x $480 = $96 is your daily limit. If you break that down to five betting units,.20 x $96 = $19. Therefore, nineteen dollars becomes your new betting unit.

A simple method of handicapping and money management probably won't beat the pros in the long run, but it will start to teach you the basics and get you on the road to success. More advanced methods can be added once you've developed the habit of good note keeping and using those notes to improve you horse racing handicapping.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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The Real Key to Successful Thoroughbred Handicapping

As a seasoned and experienced follower of horse racing, you probably believe you know everything necessary to succeed at thoroughbred handicapping. And if, in fact, you've spent lots of time at your favorite tracks engaged in horse race handicapping, it's likely that you know how to "pick a winner." But, there's more involved in pocketing cash as a result of your thoroughbred handicapping... lots more.

You Have to Know How to Wager if You Want to Win.

There are two distinct and different phases to "playing the horses" that consume the time and energy of every thoroughbred horse racing fan: thoroughbred handicapping and wagering (making the right bet to assure maximum profit). Now, as someone who regularly engages in horse race handicapping, you almost certainly believe that it is the key to your success. And... that's not true.

The Ability to Wager "Smartly" Is Much More Important Than the Ability to "Pick A Winner."

If that sounds like sacrilege, please read on. Most horseplayers - the number is in excess of 90%, devote their energies to thoroughbred handicapping... locating the horse that they - you, as well - think will finish first. Sadly and unfortunately, that kind of thoroughbred handicapping leads almost inevitably to the selection of 'low price winners." And that's simply not a great formula for making money at the track.

Learn How to Wager and Watch Your On-Track and Offsite Profits Soar.

This is not "rocket science," but just a good, common sense plan to combine your thoroughbred handicapping skills - your honed ability at horse race handicapping - with an enhanced knowledge of how to bet to win big in order to "hit handicapping home runs" regularly and consistently every time you spend some time at your favorite race track... even if you wager offsite.

You Have to Know "Who CAN Win The Race"... Not "Who Will Win The Race."

Call it a subtle difference, but upon reflection you will quickly note that the difference is actually profound. That's because knowing who will win inevitably will lead to "short-priced horses" - favorites - and lower returns. But... if you can determine who can win, you will score really big profits.

The Real Key to Betting Success Is A Solid Contender Selection Process.

Any horse player with horse race handicapping skills can pick a low-priced winner. To succeed and cash in big at the window, you need to capture a significant number of high-priced winners, as well. It is the secret to being successful as a horse player... and it's something you can accomplish.

It All Starts With Your Very Own "Sweet Spot."

Once you've developed your Contender Selection Process (it should be easy for you to do), simply determine your "sweet spot," the odds range you need to cash tickets big enough to "fill your pockets with money." Many players have "sweet spots" that start at 9:2 and range as high as 20:1. Your "sweet spot" may be different. The point is this: you will be betting - and winning - on races that lead to significant profits.

Are you a horse handicapping enthusiast or just a lover of the sport? Either way, you should definitely make a visit to HorseHandicappingEnthusiast.com. It is nothing fancy, but is place where all things horse racing related are talked about!

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Totesport Trophy Hurdle Horse Race 2011

Henderson has won four of the last 11 runnings, although he hasn't been successful since 2004 with Geos. Solix has to carry top weight, along with Alan King's Salden Licht, and those looking to oppose them both on the spreads will be pleased that six of the last eight winners have carried 10st9lb or less and 16 of the last 24 winners have shouldered less than 11st. However, this year's race does have a slightly different feel, as the handicap is quite compressed, especially at the top of the weights.

Alan King is yet to win this race, but he could rely on four with genuine chances. The aforementioned Salden Licht won impressively at Exeter last time under top weight and that form has been franked in the past few weeks. Spread betting punters looking to get with him on the Sporting Index win index will be pleased he has shown he can carry big weights and he has won at Newbury in the past.

Get Me Out Of Here was an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago and he is trying to become only the second horse to win it back-to-back. He was 6/1 last year and sellers of SP's on the spreads won't be thrilled that only two of the last eight jollies have won. There have been some big-priced winners in recent years as well, with four of the last six returning 14/1 or bigger.

There's a fantastic supporting card at Newbury and although Paul Nicholls doesn't have any entries in the Totesport Trophy, and has never won this race, he normally does very well on this card. The Aon Chase is a race the Ditcheat stable always target and horse racing spread betting punters will be interested to see What A Friend in the line-up this year. This race was first run in 2000 and there have been eight runnings at Newbury since then, with Nicholls winning six of those. His three Gold Cup winners have won this race, so it's always a big target for him and there will be plenty of spread betting interest in the Nicholls trainer index for the meeting.

The Game Spirit will be another intriguing race for spread betting punters to get involved with even though Master Minded, who has won the last two renewals, won't be here this time. This race has been another Nicholls benefit with him winning five of the last six and he has another live chance this time around with Woolcombe Folly. The champion trainer, and winning distance buyers on the spreads, will be hoping for a repeat of Master Minded's last two victories which have been by a combined 18 lengths.

Sporting Index is unique in that we are dedicated solely to providing sports spread betting. We are recognised as the world leader in its field, having captured approximately 70% of the UK's sports spread betting market. We pride ourselves on our innovation and try to lead the market whenever possible.

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Horse Racing Handicapping Pattern Angles

The process of horse racing handicapping is the evaluation of each runner's ability and projected performance. When I say projected I mean that since an animal's health and fitness may change from day to day and week to week, a horse may improve or lose some of its form since the last race as viewed in the past performances. Understanding how a horse will progress or regress is a big part of making money betting on the races.

Investors look for patterns in the growth and fortunes of companies and commodities that they invest in and it is the same with smart bettors. They know of patterns that signal a horse is ready to win and then they exploit that knowledge. It may be a pattern of workouts that a certain trainer uses or a pattern of performances that signal the horse is being prepared for a big race.

An example of this is the workout patterns many trainers use for maidens. Naturally, the conditioner starts with easy works of short distances, perhaps three furlongs, to start getting his horse in shape. Then the distances are increased and the horse is asked to work harder so times also become faster. The interval of time between each workout is also important and you'll often see that a youngster that is coming to the races has been working at five furlongs every 5-7 days for the past month or two.

That is an excellent pattern. Often the trainer will test the youngster with a fast workout that you may find one or two works back and then there will be a few slow works just to keep the runner in shape. Workout patterns for maidens is just one pattern the handicapper should be aware of. Since trainers are not all alike and each one has his or her own thoughts on training, it is important to know how they lead up to a winning effort by one of their charges.

This is not only true of maidens, but older horses as well. Patterns that are successful should be noted by the handicapper. Once you know of a certain pattern the next step is to watch the progression of a pattern and to know when the horse is ready to win. The best way to do this is to choose a few successful trainer and to look at horses that just won for them. Then look at the workout and race pattern that led to the win. You'll soon find certain moves that the conditioner will make over and over again.

You'll also find that many people bet the horses even though the conditioner has not completed the succession of moves and has no intention of sending the horse for the win. It happens all the time. Just imagine how much money you can save, and therefore increase your profits, if you no longer bet on horses that are not meant to win and will not be entering the winners circle. That is why it is so important to use patterns in your horse racing handicapping.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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Think Like a Winner for Horse Racing Handicapping Success

Horse racing handicapping is an intellectual challenge that requires the right frame of mind in order to win. But how do you get that right frame of mind or even know what it feels like? You may be in a lousy mood and win or you may be happy and lose. What makes the difference?

First of all, let's make sure you are looking at winning and losing and seeing those two "imposters," for what they are. If you go to the race track and lose money, it doesn't mean you're stupid or a bad person. If you keep losing, it does mean that you are repeating the same behavior that has a negative result and that there must be some reward or reinforcement in it for you.

If you win at the race track, it doesn't mean you're a genius or better than the people who lose. Winning and losing are just two ends of the same stick and the best horse players in the world lose some times. One of the most important skills a handicapper can develop is the ability to look at losing and winning and not let his or her emotions get out of control and thereby cause him or her to make bad decisions.

In poker, when you lose a pot, but seemed to have the best hand going into it, it is sometimes referred to as a "bad beat." When you lose in horse racing, perhaps by having your horse disqualified for bumping in the stretch run, it's also a bad beat. Bad beats happen in life and the mark of a professional is the ability to recover quickly from the emotional let down and to carry on as if nothing happened.

If the system you are using to evaluate horses is a good one and you are only betting when you get fair value odds, then you are making the right decisions. As we all learn, however, the right decision doesn't always result in a win. It should however, result in a profit in the long run and that's what the smart horse player knows.

Therefore, the right frame of mind, that was mentioned earlier in this horse racing article, is the confidence that comes from knowing that, while life may have its little ups and downs, if you always make the right choices based on the best available knowledge, then you will succeed in the end. Strong horse players have the ability to stick to that and not let the emotional shock of losing sway them or cloud their judgment.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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More Than Luck to Win at the Track

You need more than luck to win at the track consistently. You must develop strategies and a system that works for you. Consistently using winning strategies will move you past luck and give you the confidence to follow the system.

Here are some things you should watch for when you are placing bets.

1. Horses

The first thing to consider is the individual horses before placing your bets.

The odds for the individual horses will tell you a lot about who is likely to win the race. The favorite is the favorite because the horse has a very strong chance at winning. The problem with betting on this horse is that you will not make as much money, even if you do win. The long shot will win you the most money, but is less likely to win.

You will also want to check out the horse before the race if possible. Horses should be sound with a good gait, perked ears and shiny coat. Excessive sweating and lameness are just a couple of the warning signs that something is not right with the horse.

2. Jockey

Jockeys with no experience can certainly win, especially on a really good horse. But while new jockeys generally have a lot of experience exercising horses, they don't have experience dealing with the pressure and mishaps that may happen during a race. For example, horses may get boxed in or dislike having dirt kicked in its face.

In some cases, a horse that is not necessarily the fastest horse in the field may come away with the win because of expert handling and strategy by the jockey.

3. Track

Knowing how the track condition affects the horses is another important factor to consider when developing a betting strategy.

Things to consider with different track conditions include:

Muddy tracks will be slower than a dry or fast track. In addition, some horses dislike muddy conditions.Turf tracks may become very slippery and soft when they are wet. This will also create a slower race and some horses may not run well when they are unsure of their footing.

4. Record

Look at the horse's record to see when he last ran. Be careful betting on horses who have not run recently because they may not be in good condition to run. In addition, if the horse has run recently, consider how he did. If the horse ran poorly, it may not be a good idea to bet on him. This information may be found on the racing form.

World Horse Racing Betting offers resources for horse racing enthusiasts including horse racing information, a directory of race tracks world-wide and reviews of betting software. Visit http://blog.worldhorseracingbetting.com/ for more information.

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An Easy Horse Racing System to Evaluate Horses Before You Bet

The process of horse racing handicapping is simply the evaluation of each runner to determine its chances of winning. Once you have an idea, or what we call a "guess-timate" of how likely each runner is to find the winner's circle, then you can start the important part of making money betting on horses. Finding value on the odds board is the goal of serious horse racing handicapping. An easy horse racing system is every horse player's dream.

A simple and easy to use formula will tell you if a runner is a good wager, may be profitable in the long run. Just ask yourself, "If this same race was run ten times or twenty times, how many of those races would each runner win?"

If your answer for horse A is two out of ten times, then he would win about a fifth of the races, so his fair value odds would be 5-1. Once you know that, a look at the odds board will tell you whether he is a good bet at over 5-1 or is overvalued by the crowd and is going off at less than 5-1. I realize that I am simplifying something that is actually very difficult to do, but for the purposes of this short horse racing article, we can't go into depth on the subject of handicapping, an intellectual pursuit that could fill many volumes.

One method that you can use to quickly handicap a race is to break it down to three factors, speed, class, and jockey. Creating a hierarchy, a list of horses starting with the best and going to the worst in each category and then assigning a number for each position is one way to find horses that have an edge. It won't tell you how many times the horse with the best score would win if they raced against each other ten times, but it will tell you which one might win most often.

For instance, taking the two best speed figures in their last three races and adding the figure for those two races together, will give you a number for each horse, assuming that each one has had a race. If you don't play maiden races with first time starters, you won't have the problem of a horse with no past races. Let's say there are five horses in the race and we'll label them from A to E. Their speed figure totals look like this...

A=150, B=145, C=155, D=130, E=148.

Putting them in order from best to worse would give us,

C, A, E, B, D.

Now if we give them a number for their order, it would look like this (since there are five horses, the top number is 5 and the worst of course, is 1).

5 4 3 2 1

C A E B D, so horse C gets 5 points for speed and A gets 4, etc.

To figure class, find the horse who has earned the most money in its last five starts or simply look at the purse in the horse's last race. Any method will work as long as you can identify the horse that raced against the best horses in its last race. In the case of a tie, give each horse the same number in the hierarchy. For instance, if two horses both raced for $50,000 in their last race and that is the top amount, then give each one a 5.

Once again, create a hierarchy with the best receiving a 5 and the worst a 1.

Finally, simply look at the jockey's winning percentage and use that to create a hierarchy.

Your final totals might look something like this...

Speed =

5 4 3 2 1

C A E B D

Class =

5 4 4 2 1

A B E D C

Jockey=

5 4 3 2 1

C D B A E

Now add each horse's total score to find the top horse.

Horse A gets 4 points for speed, 5 points for class, and 2 points for jockey, so it gets a total of 11.

Horse B gets 2 points for speed, 4 points for class, and 3 points for jockey, so it gets a total of 9.

The rest get C=11, D=7, E=8.

Since A and C are tied for 11, they are the top horses. You could bet the one with the best odds, or simply pass the race. This is a very simple system to handicap a horse race and won't make you rich. Wagering on horse races is very risky and this article and system are only meant for entertainment, but it is one easy way to handicap a horse race.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth. Bill Peterson is a former horse race owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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The Traditions of Trotting and Betting

In itself, betting on horses is already a tradition and part and parcel of horse racing. However, all sorts of other traditions exist in the different technical and cultural aspects of racing horses. This tradition of betting on trotting horses is perhaps one of the longest standing ones in all of human history as it traces its roots back to the time of ancient Greece and ancient Rome. From this very early start there is no stopping the tradition of placing wagers on trotting horses all the way to what it is now.

The Act of Placing Bets on Horses

First of all, there exists a tradition in the actual act of placing a bet on trotting horses - three in fact. These three traditions on trotting horses include betting to win, betting to place and betting to show. If the horse that you put your money on is leading in at first position, it means you are betting to win. If the trotting horse rallies in the first and second position, then this is betting to place. Finally the last one, betting to show, is when the horse will come in at first, second or the third position. In the last tradition of betting on trotting horses, the payoffs are significantly smaller but at the same time it is not as risky to bet on as the other two.

Changing Traditions

But as much as betting on trotting is a tradition in itself, the mechanics have evolved in a way that is much better for a lot of people. Before the advent of the internet, the tradition associated to betting on trotting horses was that one had to physically be present at the actual race track, line up to place the bet then come back later should the horse yield a winning outcome. This tradition on betting on trotting horses was like this for a long time until creativity took in the reins and transformed this much-played sort into the online platform. Now, the tradition in betting on trotting horses is all about placing bets online and waiting for the stats to show up.

In breeding the horses, new traditions emerged as well. In the past the practice was to raise a horse and take care of it so it will have optimum performance and choose the best possible mate so as to yield a very good offspring with the highest possible chance of becoming as great a horse as its parent. Now, there are more options and the high tech ones - freezing the embryo have made breeding a whole lot easier. However this is only done in some breeds and not allowed by some countries that put a primer on traditions rather than technologies associated with horse racing. In the world of traditions and gambling on horse racing, these little bits of information will serve as great conversation starters and generate a better appreciation for the sport and its long standing (and constantly evolving) traditions.

After reading all this useful information about betting you are ready to try your luck. However, before that I recommend reading some professional tips first.

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Dominant Factor - Horse Racing Handicapping and Betting

If you're betting on horse races trying to make a profit, you probably spend quite a bit of time handicapping the races. That means you're familiar with the major factors in horse racing such as class, speed, connections, form. Each of those and some lesser known factors as well are the backbone of the process of picking winners and making good betting decisions.

As you probably know, each event is unique and requires a fresh approach. Also, there are many types of races and conditions that you will encounter. While some handicappers only bet on maiden races or turf races or stakes races, to name just a few, others look for value in all the races and will handicap every contest on the card.

Whether you are a specialist or a generalist, you should know that the above mentioned factors are not all created equally. There are times when class will be the most important consideration and other times when speed will rule. Knowing which one is the most important is one of the most important pieces of information a handicapper can have at his or her disposal.

There are several ways to go about finding out whether speed, class, or recent form is the most important thing and should be your focus. The method I recommend is to handicap the races and then follow the results. See for yourself which factor comes out on top the most often. For instance, if you look at 100 maiden special weight races (MSW) and see that the horse with the top class, as determined by its pedigree and stud fee of the sire, wins the highest percentage of the races, then you will know that class rules those MSW events.

If, on the other hand, you find that the runner with the highest speed figure in its last race wins most often you will know that is the most likely winner. However, this is only part of the problem because the goal is to make a profit. Therefore, you must also see if they are a profitable bet. If not, even though they win the most, the value may be in using another factor to find a good wager.

This brings us to real world handicapping. In the real world a sophisticated approach is necessary to make money on horse races. Just because you know what the dominant factor is it doesn't mean you should bet on it. You should only use that information to know the winning percentage of the horse that qualifies for that factor so you can then compare the odds to the probability and make a financial decision based on return and profit.

It also means you can use a hierarchical approach and use the second best horse using that factor if the odds are right based on the probability you have established for those runners.

If you want to learn how a horse owner and insider handicaps just go to http://horse-racing-handicapping.co/ and get the truth about betting on horses and winning. Bill Peterson is a former race horse owner and professional handicapper. To see all Bill's horse racing material go to Horse Racing Handicapping, Bill's handicapping store.

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