When betting on a horse race, players may notice ‘The Going’ of a course and wonder what it’s all about. In short, this describes the conditions of the racecourse just before the event gets underway. It’s measured by the clerk for the racecourse by determining how much moisture is on the ground.
The going is a rather simple element of horse racing. However, many people still don’t understand its role in the sport. BetVictor explains all in this article, including the different types of ground conditions and the impact of the going on the horses!
Types of Going: Horse Racing Course Conditions
There are six different going types that a course can be given before the race starts. From the moistest to the driest conditions, here are the possible verdicts:
● Heavy
● Soft
● Good to Soft
● Good
● Good to Firm
● Firm
It’s worth mentioning that there is also technically a ‘Hard’ rating. This is incredibly rare, however, as it’s too dangerous for horses and jockeys to ride on.
When racing on ‘Heavy’ ground, there would be plenty of mud being kicked up all over the jockeys. Alternatively, firm ground would normally be indicative of a long period, or at least a few days, without any rain.
Another thing of note is that a combination of going can be used together to accurately describe the course. For example, Soft (Good to Soft in places), in which the predominant condition is shown first.
Watering: An Addition to the Going
Another thing to look out for when evaluating the going is whether ‘watering’ is present or not. Just like the name suggests, watering is a term for when moisture is manually added to the course.
This is to make things softer and is often done on very firm courses. Having a course that is too hard firm can cause issues for horses, so watering can help in terms of their welfare. Punters may expect this to happen during summertime races, such as the King George Weekend at Ascot, for example.
What Affects The Going of a Racecourse?
Two different weather conditions can greatly influence the going of a racecourse.
● Heavy Rain – Lots of rain will mean that the course has plenty of moisture, leading to heavy, soft, or soft to good conditions.
● Little or No Rain – No rain will lead to good to firm or firm conditions as a result of the course being so dry.
Why Does The Going Matter?
A race’s outcome can significantly depend on the conditions as each horse has a distinct preference. It’s like tennis players. Some show outstanding performance on clay, while others do great on grass.
Horses that run with high knee movements will likely be better suited to soft ground. This is a requirement for running in wetter conditions as the horse will sink deeper into the ground. Soft ground can also help horses that have better stamina, allowing them to beat horses that would be faster than them in a straight up race.
So, which horses are better suited to firm ground? Look out for horses that don’t lift their legs very high when running. These will typically perform better on courses that feature firm conditions.
How To Find A Horses Favourite Ground Conditions
For anyone who is looking to find the preferred ground conditions of a horse for a large event such as the Grand National, it will often be listed near the selections. Alternatively, searching around the internet for the name of the horse should provide the relevant information.
However, for smaller races, punters should pay close attention to the form of the horse and look for trends. This may put you on the right track when it comes to picking a horse for an upcoming race, providing that you know the going in advance.
How Important is the Going For Horse Races?
The going is certainly something to consider. However, it’s one of many other important statistics. Think of it as a puzzle piece in the grand scheme of things. Other things that punters can look out for include:
● Form
● Weight
● Trainers
● Jockeys
● Course Type
● Race Distance
● Age
● and Much More!
Of course, no matter how much you research, it’s never possible to always be correct when betting on horse racing. Sometimes, a horse will simply have a standout performance, or adversely, the favourite might have an off day. There’s always that element of chance involved!
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Racing Going
What is the Going in Terms of Horse Racing?
The going is used to describe the condition of a racecourse before the event begins. This is one of many important statistics for punters and jockeys to consider.
What Conditions Are Possible on a Racecourse?
There are six possible conditions for the going, which are heavy, soft, good to soft, good, good to firm, and firm. Another condition does exist, known as ‘hard’, however, it’s not often used as running on such ground can be harmful to horses and jockeys.
Why is the Going of a Racecourse Important?
The going of a Racecourse is important as each horse has their own preference when it comes to ground conditions. Some may run better on soft ground, while others prefer firm.
What Affects The Going of a Racecourse?
The weather affects the going of a racecourse. If lots of rain has fallen, the course will have more moisture, making soft verdicts more likely. Adversely, little or no rain may make the course firm.
