Ratings Tips

You really do need to use Dynamic Odds to make the easiest use of the ratings.

We think the best way to use any ratings are to target the best races and eliminate risk with un-raced and under-exposed runners.

More “Reliable” Racing Preferred

Additionally, some areas are more reliable that others. Personally I don’t like to bet at these area:

  • Tasmania

  • Queensland Country/Provincial (metro, good quality races are fine)

  • Darwin / Northern Territory

  • Western Australia, unless just before the race - you’ll learn some tips from me in that regard.

Lots of exposed form

I use the Dynamic Odds Form (Last 10 Starts) column like this:

Add the Dynamic Odds Column “Form (Last 10) by going to My Dashboard - Column Layouts - Runner Info - and choose the Form (Last 10) column.

Add the Dynamic Odds Column “Form (Last 10) by going to My Dashboard - Column Layouts - Runner Info - and choose the Form (Last 10) column.

Image 2018-10-21 at 1.56.12 pm.png

Sort the rating column

Click on the Smartpunter Logo and you can sort the column.

I also prefer to order the column from high to low - but you may prefer low to high - up to you.

I also prefer to order the column from high to low - but you may prefer low to high - up to you.

Which Overlays to Target?

You still have to use common sense with any ratings. Although our top rated performs close to break-even over ALL races, you can certainly profit by following some simple advice:

  • Target the right kind of venues (as above)

  • Ensure all runners have well disclosed form

  • I like to look at the first four rated runners - and then see which one(s) are the best overlays.

  • Get the best prices - the Best-of-four option is often a good choice, no matter what, but if you are taking overlays early - much better to use Fixed as that locks in your advantage of having the ratings early, of course.

In this race, scanning the ratings - #10 Doom was a good price and worth investigating more, rated $8 but $17 in the market.

In this race, scanning the ratings - #10 Doom was a good price and worth investigating more, rated $8 but $17 in the market.

  • I find that the Best Bets commentary on SportsBet is very good and detailed and can be a good quick-check on the overlay runners. Additionally unibet.com.au is a good backup.

You can see here that Doom also had a positive comment from Best Bets on the SportsBet website.

You can see here that Doom also had a positive comment from Best Bets on the SportsBet website.

Unibet.com.au website also has some good form comments.

Unibet.com.au website also has some good form comments.

And Doom #10 just went down - beaten by not much at $17 by the $1.75 favourite. Who would you prefer to have been on?

And Doom #10 just went down - beaten by not much at $17 by the $1.75 favourite. Who would you prefer to have been on?

How Much To Bet On The Overlays?

This is up to you, but as a guide I like to set my PROFIT TARGET at $150 in Dynamic Odds.

To work out the overlay you take ONE from the bookie price AND the Rated price and divide and compare to the rated price as a percentage.

Eg: Rated price is $4. Bookie Price is $8. This is a double overlay, as the overlay is (8-1) / 4-1) which is 7/3 = 2.33 or 233%.

Another example. Rated price is $2.20. Bookie Price is $3.20. The overlay is (3.2 -1) / (2.2 - 1) = 2.2 / 1.2 = 1.83 or 183%. This is an 83% overlay but not a double overlay which would be 200% or better.

Then if the runner is NOT a double overlay or more … I just bet it to PROFIT $150. You will sometimes bet more than one runner.

If the runner is a double overlay or better, I like to bet to PROFIT $500. Often this just means a fairly small outlay - eg $23 on a $25 shot.

If I can get the rated price or better FOR THE PLACE, then I also bet to PROFIT $250 for the PLACE FIXED. Eg: Rated Price is $10. Win Price is $80 and Place Price (SportsBet is usually best) is $17. I would bet this also for the place at $17 to PROFIT $250.

Win Or Each-Way?

I’ve never seen a place betting person out-perform the same selections for the win over any meaningful period.

But place betting can provide comfort and opportunities IF you are sensible.

If I am betting the overlay as above I’ll take a place under certain value circumstances.