Horse racing has long been intertwined with Australia’s history, and since the establishment of the nation and its facilities in the sport, has become regarded as one of the top thoroughbred racing countries globally. Considered one of the most popular sports in Australia, behind just AFL and rugby league in terms of attendance, horse racing is part of the Australian pastime. Since race meets were first held back in the 1880’s, Australian racing has grown to include over 360 racecourses, 19,400 races, 31,000 competing horses and total prize money of more than $420 million in a single season.
Over the sports rich history several quality champion horses have been established such as Carbine – the first true legendary stallion followed by his descendant the unstoppable Phar Lap, both of whom dominated the tracks in their time. Other predominant names in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame are Kingston Town and Makybe Diva, the latter being the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times.
Black Type Races
Thoroughbred horse races are split into group rankings, and this ranking usually defines the race’s prize money and overall status. There are four main levels which are Group One, Group Two, Group Three and Listed. Group One is the most prolific, and races labelled Group One through to Group Three and Listed are collectively referred to as ‘Black Type Races’. Australia has around 540 black type races every year predominantly located in Victoria, 67 of which are Group One.
The Melbourne Cup – known as the ‘race that stops a nation’ – is the ultimate Group One race and the highlight of the Australian calendar. Taking place on the first Tuesday every November at around 3pm, the Melbourne Cup is the richest race in the nation worth an impressive $6 million, and is steadily drawing more international entrants. In 2010 the Melbourne Cup will be celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Betting On Horse Racing
Half the fun of going to the races is putting down a dollar or two on your favourite horse. Wagering on horse racing is part and parcel of the sport, and payouts can certainly be worthwhile, with millions upon millions of Aussie dollars put down for a horse to cross the line first every year.
More often than not, bettors are not always able to make it down to the track whether it is due to the location of the event, work, or whatever it may be. A good few years ago that would mean the punter would lose out, but not anymore. Betting online has become the new craze – and it is easy to see the benefits as you do not even need to leave the comfort of your own home. With odds for any race often released online a few days before the jump, avid horse race punters can sit down and go through the statistics to work out which horse they believe will win.
So the next time you decide to bet on a horse race, whether it is Listed, Group Three or the Melbourne Cup, do not fret about getting to Flemington – just head online! It is as easy as can be, safe, and a lot more fun, plus the odds can be far more rewarding. So sit back, relax, and have a punt on this weekend’s action down on the tracks.
