Greyhound racing in the UK is a very popular night out. Lots of fun for not much money. Important in this day and age. However many people that do go to the dogs for entertainment often have little idea on what to look for in a winning greyhound when deciding on which dog to back. If you are in that category – or even if you are a more seasoned punter looking to get in to greyhounds – here are five things to take in to account when searching for those winners Rajabandot.
The six dogs in the race start from a contraption known as the traps. The equivalent of starting stalls in horse racing. Greyhounds can have distinct preferences which number trap they start from. For example it might run better nearer the inside rail so needing a low draw – trip one or two. Or it might prefer to run out wide thus needing trap five or six. If it’s in the wrong trap it can make a big difference.
What’s the distance of the race and how have the greyhounds performed over it. The race card gives you the full form for their last six races and that includes the distance and how they ran. Does the form indicate that any dog is running over a distance that it is clearly not capable of or in a race over a distance it prefers. For example has it been tried over 660 metres and not stayed but now dropping back to a 500 metre race and has form over that distance.
Does the greyhound have what is known as “early pace.” In other words how fast is it away from the traps and does it get to the first turn in the lead. This can be found in the race card also and it can be used as a guide to spot dogs which do possess early pace. Generally speaking dogs which are fast away and stay out of trouble at the first turn can be hard for the other dogs to peg back.
Is the dog running in its grade. Greyhound races are worked out in grades – think handicapping in horse racing. The lower the number of the race grade the higher it is in terms of the class of dog running. For example an A1 race consists of faster dogs than an A5 race. Greyhounds move up and down the grades of races based on their performances and race times. A dog dropping back to a grade it has proven form in from a grade it’s not quite quick enough for can be a good pointer.
Does the dog have the potential to improve. Greyhounds have relatively short racing careers. They can start at eighteen months of age and a long career would see them racing until they are around five years old. Young dogs which are still developing can find improvement though that can tail off after around three and a half years of age. Try to look for dogs which may still be improving and moving through the grades.
