G'day piggies! Today, we're going to talk about a popular overseas style when looking at racing: hurdle racing (or jump racing). Now, I know what you're thinking: "But hang on, we’ve got bugger all hurdle races in Australia!" And that's true, but you can still follow and take a punt on overseas hurdle racing.

Now, before we dive in here. Hurdle racing is banned throughout most of Australia, South Australia banned it only last year (2022), leaving Victoria as the final state to allow hurdle racing, it’s not for everyone as horses have a much higher chance of injury in a hurdle race than they would in a flat race, and most states have banned it for animal cruelty. so if you’ve got no interest in hurdle racing, head on over and click the back button as you won’t find any of the following helpful.

First of all, let's talk about the differences between hurdle racing and flat racing. Obviously, in hurdle races, the horses have to jump over obstacles, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the race. This means that the form for hurdle races can be quite different from flat races. For example, a horse that has shown good jumping ability in the past might be more likely to perform well in a hurdle race, even if its flat form isn't that impressive.

When it comes to doing form for hurdle races, it's important to pay close attention to a horse's jumping ability. Has it won hurdle races before? Has it jumped well in flat races? These are important factors to consider when picking a winner. You also want to look at a horse's recent form in hurdle racing, we’ve got some form info on this blog as well to help you if you’d like a hand.

The first thing you need to know is that the fields are usually substantially longer than in Australian racing, which can make picking a winner more challenging, you’ve also gotta factor in wind a lot heavier than you would a standard race, as there’s not much that’ll tire your horse out more than running AND jumping hurdles into the wind.

When it comes to punting on overseas hurdle races, it's important to do your research. Look at the track conditions, the distance, and the horses' recent form. You also want to pay attention to any factors that might affect a horse's jumping ability, such as wind or rain.

Overall, hurdle racing is a thrilling and unpredictable form of racing that offers plenty of opportunities for punters. While it might not be as common in Australia, there's still plenty we can learn from overseas races and use to our advantage. So the next time you're thinking of placing a bet, consider taking a punt on a hurdle race – you never know, you might just come out on top!

Gamble responsibly piggies!