Horse Racing Weight Handicapping and Betting Odds

We're all used to hearing "The horse has the class," to justify why a horse handicapped with a high weight should win. Similarly we're told "It's a 54 minimum. So the horse is only six kilos above the minimum."

Those sort of comments do not show an understanding of how handicaps affect most horses. The more weight, the less class a horse will have. Give a horse enough weight and it will have no class.

In a handicap, by the time horses have to carry 59kg. (60 with the safety vest), many become very dubious betting propositions at short odds. Similarly with jumpers - 70kg. (71 with the safety vest) is a very tough proposition.

The table below shows how horses that carried 59kg. or more in a handicap and were supported in the bookmakers' betting ring market - with a starting price of $11.00 or shorter - recently fared. (The safety vest is not included in the weight.) We're updating each week. It's certainly worth looking at this information over the long term.

Rosehill - 12/9/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Hot Danish	61kg.	4	1200	$2.50fav.	1/8
Racing To Win	60kg.	11	1400	$6.50	1/11
Moonee Valley - 12/9/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Umanugget	59kg.	5	1500	$3.80efav.	6/8
Lady Lynette	59kg.	4	1200	$11.00	4/10
Randwick - 5/9/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Onemorenomore	60kg.	8	1400	$11.00	4/9
Drumbeats	59kg.	1	1400	$6.50	2/12
Flemington - 5/9/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Carrara	59kg.	4	1400	$3.80fav.	1/14
Light Vision	60.5kg.	4	1400	$4.80fav.	2/10
Maldivian	60kg.	11	1200	$10.00	13/15
Moonee Valley - 22/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Heartland	59kg.	2	2040	$11.00	5/12
Morphettville - 22/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Wheel The Lead	71kg.	1	3500	$1.70fav.	3/5
Tradesman's Choice	70kg.	7	3100	$2.90fav.	3/7
Rosehill - 15/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Centennial Park	59kg.	6	1300	$2.30fav.	1/9
Caulfield - 15/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Light Vision	60.5kg.	11	1600	$10.00	9/14
Randwick - 8/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Cullen Castle	59kg.	1	1600	$8.00	7/12
Flemington - 8/8/2009
Horse	Weight	Barrier	Distance	SP Odds	Finish
Stoneblack	59kg.	5	1610	$2.80fav.	3/7
Hukba	59kg.	6	1410	$4.60	5/7

You Need Top Odds

It's unlikely you'll get a high enough strike rate backing short priced tote favourites and poor value tote horses to make up for big unders on the tote. Especially in Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan racing on Saturdays.

If you regularly get poor odds you increase your chances of losing money.

It's very unlikely you'll make a long term profit by consistently backing short priced tote favourites.

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	Disclaimer: This site covers various aspects of horseracing in Australia. We provide betting tips, online gambling strategy and links to many thoroughbred sites. OZmium Pty Ltd is not responsible for the content of the links and also accepts no liability for financial loss or misadventure caused by the information provided here. We strongly recommend you bet within your budget and only with money you are prepared to risk.