The bond between man and horse is a tale as old as time. And ever since this bond was formed, humans have been interested in discovering which animal is fastest. Today, no matter where a person goes, they’ll probably find themselves near enough to some form of modern horse racing event. The sport has roots all over the globe, with many different nations hosting their own thrilling race days and derby’s.
There’s no doubt that watching thoroughbreds thunder down a track is exciting no matter where it’s held. But is every race more or less the same in every location? And when it comes to betting online, are there any differences between betting sites? Using platforms from the United States and Australia as our examples, let’s take a good look at how online horse racing betting sites in Australia stack up against their US cousins.
Platform basics
At first glance, betting sites catering to US horse racing enthusiasts probably won’t seem very different to platforms designed for other locations. Sites in Australia and America will both have age restrictions, odds probabilities for specific localized events and lists detailing which horses are most likely to win.
Sites from both locations worth signing up for will also offer up extra helpful nuggets of information. This could include where and when races will take place, details on jockeys and sometimes even past performances to help bettors make the best possible decisions. Many will additionally allow people to watch streams of races as they happen.
On both sides of the Pacific, not all sites on offer will be worth a bettor’s time. For this reason, it’s a good idea to do some homework before picking one. Australians might want to consider looking up some of the most highly-rated horse racing betting online platforms in Australia before making a final decision. The same logic applies for residents in the US.
Exploring the nuances
Naturally, sites on different sides of the world will differ in some ways. Platforms in the United States are more likely to offer a wider variety of betting types beyond the most common win-place-show options seen in Australia. This small difference exists because US racing styles tend to be more strategic.
Race Coverage
Both kinds of betting sites will probably offer up a wide range of races to place bets on. Many will also allow betters to wager on other sports as well. In America, platforms will almost always cover the major national racing events that happen every year. These include the Breeder’s Cup, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
Across the Pacific, Australian platforms will usually cover races held on their signature grass tracks to keep their local player base happy. On these sites, events such as the Melbourne Cup and Golden Slipper are most popular. On both sides, platforms will emphasize local races and also cover a few of the largest international events.
Track differences
US platforms are also more likely to dig a little deeper into track analysis compared to Australian ones. This is probably due to the fact that US track surfaces are slightly more diverse. Different horses will perform differently depending on what type of track they race on and the ground can have a large impact on the final results of a race.
In the US, tracks commonly come in a variety of flavors. This means that historical horse performance Information based on track type will be far more useful for US bettors. In Australia, grass tracks are much more typical. These green tracks demand a different kind of athlete. Horses skilled at jumping, navigating uneven terrain and good stamina generally offer better odds.
Fixed Odds compared to the Pari-Mutuel Pool
When it’s time to talk about potential payouts, Australian betting sites are all about those fixed odds. With these kinds of odds, bettors know exactly what they could end up winning before a race even starts. These odds are clear-cut and give individuals a good idea of their potential return when they place their bets.
It’s a little different in the The US. This landscape will usually lean more towards pari-mutuel wagering. Here, the final payout depends on the total amount of money wagered on each horse. So, a beloved favorite might see lower returns compared to a less popular horse.
Racing Positions
At Australian sites, jockey statistics are far more prominent. Why? Because races down under are well known for having explosive starts. This means that more emphasis is placed on early positioning in Aussie races. This isn’t really how it’s done in the United States. American riders will focus more on finding and keeping a strategic position throughout the duration of a race. They’ll also try to save some stamina for an important final burst of speed in the stretch run.
Bettors from both locations should choose their platform wisely
Before settling on any site, read up about responsible gambling, set up a budget and explore a variety of trusted sources to find up-to-date information concerning who’s racing and whether or not a competitor is experiencing health issues. Knowledge is a punter’s best friend and should never be underestimated.
No matter where a betting fan lives, the same rules will apply. The best platform will look different depending on location and betting preferences. It’s generally a good idea to stick with sites that operate within a specific bettor’s borders and spend some time making sure a betting site is safe and secure.
