A Bettor’s Guide to Japanese Horse Racing: Understanding the Basics and Beyond

There are few more popular sports to bet on worldwide than horse racing. That is especially the case in Japan, with the sport being among the fastest growing within the nation. Japanese trainers are now targeting huge races on the international schedule, with regular runners heading to Royal Ascot and the United States for the Kentucky Derby. But what key factors should all bettors consider before making a wager on the action in Japan?

Understand The Betting Markets

Before selecting the latest horse racing action in Japan, newcomers to betting on the sport should know what each of the most popular markets requires to gain returns. Below, we will go through some of the most common markets that bettors make wagers on.

Win Betting

The win betting selection is the most prominent with bettors on horse racing, as it is often the easiest to work out returns. In this market, the bettor will simply look to find the runner that will cross the finishing line first. Bettors are then paid out at the odds that their selection was made.

Place Betting

Place betting is most popular with bettors more interested in outsiders in the field. As well as covering the win, a bet on the place market also covers the selection, finishing second or third. However, this market is mostly used by bettors looking to wager on a selection at a winning price of 10/1 or higher.

Exacta/Trifecta Betting

One of the most difficult betting markets to land a winner is the Exacta and Trifecta. Here, the bettor will be looking to correctly predict the finishing order of the runners, with an Exacta used to select the horses that finish first and second and the Trifecta available to bettors to predict the first three home in the correct order.

Tips To Find A Winner

Horse racing is one of the most challenging sports in which to find regular winners, as it is one of the most unpredictable. However, there are several tips that bettors can follow that will enhance their chances of landing winners regularly.

Read The Form

The form is the most significant evidence bettors can follow to find a winner, as the key information will outline the past performances of the runners involved in the race. For example, you can further research this by reading about the 10 best Japanese racehorses of all time at japanbets.com. The form highlights each runner’s wins and losses across various distances and terrains and reveals the different classes they have previously competed in. This information becomes particularly vital when placing bets on high-stakes races like Grade 1 events, where understanding a horse’s class and track record can significantly influence wagering decisions.

Trainer/Jockey

An important factor that all experienced bettors assess before making selections is the form of the trainer and jockey. Those in good form indicate a thriving yard, while a jockey with a high strike rate will highlight that the rider competes confidently. Bettors must pay more attention to yards and jockeys with poor recent winning records.

Track Experience

Horses for courses is a saying as old as horse racing has been staged, and that is down to the fact that it is the truth. Some runners prefer certain tracks, as it will often play to their strengths more so than others. Therefore, a horse with a positive record over a certain distance at a familiar track is always regarded as a massive plus when making a wager.

Most Famous Japanese Races

There is no shortage of huge Japanese races to wager on throughout the calendar year, with Grade 1s being staged between February and December One of the most lucrative is the Arima Kinen, which Equinox won in December. Other standout races on the calendar include the Osaka Hai, Oka Sho, and NHK Mile Cup. Most significant Japanese races are staged on the turf, with the only exceptions being the February Stakes, Champions Cup, and Tokyo Daishoten, which are all run on the dirt surface.

Conclusion

Horse racing continues to be one of the most exciting sports for Japanese bettors, with many of the leading sportsbooks offering the option to bet on major races daily. However, understanding the betting markets and learning the trends to follow for the best chance of landing winners is key reading for all newcomers.

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