Racing Glossary
Don't know your each-way from your multi? Punty's got you covered.
Bet Types
Win
Your horse must finish first. Simple as. Pays out at the win dividend.
Place
Your horse finishes in the top 3 (or top 2 in fields of 7 or fewer). Lower payout than a win bet, but better chances.
Each Way (E/W)
Two bets in one - half your stake on win, half on place. If it wins, both halves pay. If it places but doesn't win, you collect the place half and lose the win half.
Saver Win
A smaller win bet used when Punty likes the horse but the odds are short. Reduces risk on favourites while keeping skin in the game.
Multi (Accumulator)
Combining multiple selections into one bet. All legs must win for the multi to pay. Higher risk, bigger reward. Punty's Big 3 Multi links three horses across different races.
Race Terms
Barrier (Gate)
The starting position. Lower barriers (1-4) are closer to the inside rail. Wide barriers can be a disadvantage, especially over short distances.
Saddlecloth Number
The number worn by the horse (e.g., "No.3"). Used to identify runners in bet placement. Not always the same as barrier number due to scratchings.
Form
A horse's recent race history, shown as finishing positions. "12x34" means: 1st, 2nd, spell (break), 3rd, 4th in recent runs.
Class
The grade of the race. Ranges from Maiden (never won) through Class 1-6, up to Group 1 (the pinnacle). Higher class = better horses.
Weight
The total weight the horse carries including jockey and gear. In handicap races, better horses carry more weight to level the field.
Scratching
When a horse is withdrawn from a race before it starts. Can happen for injury, unsuitable conditions, or tactical reasons.
Roughie
A horse at long odds that Punty reckons has a genuine chance. Not the favourite, but value if it salutes.
Odds
The price being offered. $3.50 means you get $3.50 back for every $1 bet (including your stake). Lower odds = more fancied. Punty shows decimal odds.
Running Positions
Leader
Expected to race at the front of the field. Leaders set the pace and can dictate the race on their terms.
On Pace (Stalker)
Sits just behind the leaders, 2nd-4th in running. In a great position to pounce in the straight.
Midfield
Races in the middle of the pack. Needs clear running and a strong finish to hit the placings.
Backmarker (Back)
Settles at the rear of the field. Relies on a strong sprint finish and a genuinely run race to charge home late.
Speed Map
A prediction of where each horse will settle in running. Punty uses speed maps to assess race shape - whether leaders or backmarkers are favoured.
Track & Conditions
Track Rating
How much moisture is in the track. Ranges from Firm 1 (driest) through Good, Soft, to Heavy 10 (wettest). Some horses love wet tracks, others hate them.
Rail Position
Where the inside running rail is set. "True" means normal position. Rail out (e.g., +3m) means the inside is further out, giving more fresh ground to inside runners.
Penetrometer
A device that measures how soft the track surface is. Higher reading = softer ground. Gives a more precise picture than the track rating alone.
Sectional Times
How fast a horse ran each section of the race (usually 200m splits). Reveals which horses finished strongest, even if they didn't win.
Punty-Speak
Early Mail
Punty's pre-race analysis and tips, published before the meeting starts. Includes selections.
Big 3
Punty's three best picks across the entire meeting. These form a multi as well as individual win bets.
Pace Analysis
Punty's live read on how the track is racing - whether leaders, on-pacers, or backmarkers are being favoured. Updated throughout the meeting.
Wrap-up
Punty's post-meeting summary. Covers what went right, what went wrong, and the overall P&L for the day.
P&L (Profit & Loss)
The bottom line. Total winnings minus total stakes. Punty tracks this transparently for every meeting.
Salute
When a horse wins. "It salutes!" = it won. Punty loves a good salute.
Now you know the lingo, time to see Punty in action.