12/4/2002 edition

Betting Longshots

The form is usually there to back them!

We saw on the previous page how Prince Benbara rated a very realistic winning chance. Unfortunately this time there were plenty of other runners in the field of 13 to distract you. For example:

1. Gattaca - a Sandown specialist with four wins from eight starts at the track.

2. Roktzar - racefit after four runs in. Put in a huge run behind Group winner Rubitano.

3. Kapuna - two wins from two starts at Sandown. Was second up and had two wins and a placing from three starts second up. Had also put in some big runs against the likes of Sudurka.

4. Slipstream - a good horse fresh. Ran a close sixth in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap in May last year behind Keeper, Sudurka and Ateates.

5. Just Honor - first up with good form in Group 2 Handicaps in October and November last year behind the likes of The Secondmortgage, Maythehorsebewithu, Rain Gauge and Spirit Of Westbury.

6. Paternal - won an Open Handicap at Caulfield two weeks earlier. The four year old had six wins from only 15 starts.

7. Crystal Academy - a first up specialist with three wins from five starts. Last time he resumed ran a big race only beaten a length by Sound The Alarm over 1200 metres at Flemington.

No, we didn't tip Prince Benbara. In a wide open betting race we got caught up by the undeniable winning claims of many other runners. We're now kicking ourselves.

However there will be plenty of other races where horses have similar formlines to Prince Benbara and start at double figure odds. In plenty of those races there will only be a couple of other serious winning chances, not half the field like in Prince Benbara's race.

Punters will have latched on to one or two other horses and left your selection an obvious standout at huge value odds. Don't say like so many punters that "It can't win at that price." All you have to do is back it.

Next pages
More betting myths
Listening to the call of the race - what you need to avoid
Money talks - plunge horses
Future winners at big odds
Betting packages

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