With Wagga’s Gold Cup finally here, many will be wondering how to make the most of the city’s biggest social event. Here’s your insiders survival guide to what to wear, how to bet, how to get there and how to skip the painfully long toilet queues.
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1. Show your form:
Yeah, yeah, we know you think reading the form guide is for crusty old punters that smell of tobacco and VB. You could always keep picking horses based on your favourite colour or pretty name. But be prepared to go home broke.
Thoroughbred horses are amazingly consistent animals and if you can crack the code in the form guide, you can beat the bookies. Look for horses that are good at the track and distance, have solid recent form and have drawn a good barrier (anything inside barrier 10).
Even better, go and watch them in the parade yard. Not only are they breathtakingly beautiful animals, but the trained eye can tell how they're feeling on the day.
For short races (1000m-1400m), look for horses that are compact and stoutly built, with big strong behinds. Don't worry too much about how fit they look, pick the ones that looked keyed-up, bouncy and ready to go. If they're sweating a lot between the legs or around the flanks (near the lower ribs), your horse has already expended a lot of energy.
For longer races (2000m+), look for horses that have a longer, narrower look about them. You also want your distance horses to be relaxed, rather than champing at the bit.
Most importantly, don't bet more than you can afford. Set a bank you're prepared to lose and stick to it. Happy punting!
2. Dress to impress:
Ladies, while sky-high heels and a mini skirt might seem like a good idea at the time, do yourself a favour and skip the blisters and goosebumps by dressing appropriately. Not only does this mean adhering to the dress code, but also dressing with smarts.
If you are wearing high heels, stow a pair of flat shoes in your handbag. And while we don’t want to sound like your mother, at least carry a light cardigan to keep warm, as your race day transitions into night.
3. Map your route:
Gold Cup organiser Scott Sanbrook suggests race-goers take a look at the map of the grounds, to ensure the maze of punters doesn’t leave you in a sweaty panic.
Know where to place your bets, where to find food and drinks, how to get to the portable toilets (a much better option if you want to avoid queues) and where you’ll position yourself for the day. Whether that’s in front of the track, or in front of the drinks tent.
4. Tackling transport:
Whether you’ve chosen a designated driver, have booked a taxi or are taking a courtesy bus, make sure you’ve pre-arranged your wheels.
