HORS RACING TRACKWORK TERMS

Question
HI. I AM MALLIK. I AM HAILING FROM INDIA. I AM A REGULAR PUNTER AT HORSE RACING BUT LOST LOT OF MONEY. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT DOES ALL THESE TERMS MEAN WHICH I CAME ACROSS IN THE TRACKWORK REPORT:

1) moved freely

2) moved on the bit

3) urged

4) pushed

5) speedy

6) unextended

7) moved well

8) pleased

9) impressed

10) EASY

11) HANDY

12) DID PACE WORK

13) EXTENDED

I AM REALLY GETTING CONFUSED WHAT DOES ALL THESE MEAN. PLEASE ANSWER THIS QUESTION PATIENTLY.

THANK YOU!

Answer
Hi Mallik,
         Betting on horse racing is no sure thing. I have been involved in the management of racing clubs in New Zealand and I have met very few really successful punters. Professional punters tend to look for a single outstanding bet rather than bet in every race. It may be several weeks apart before they bet again.
The professional punters in Hongkong have millions of dollars worth of computers churning through all the information concerning each horse just looking for one or two facts that make the bet worthwhile. Often the margin is not great but the level of certainty is so in they go with a big bet.
I often advise people that betting on the favorite is the best bet. Usually the favorite runs in the first three and you get a dividend. Usually it is not big but at least they don't loose all their money.
The terms you mentioned are common in racing and mean;
) moved freely

2) moved on the bit. Was having a serious run along.

3) urged. Needed to be pushed to do its work.(lazy)

4) pushed. Had to be ridden hard to do its work. (lazy)

5) speedy. Just as it said.

6) unextended. Lazy run, not pushed along, just a relaxed run.

7) moved well. Trained at a good speed and worked well.

8) pleased. Worked well and looked good.

9) impressed. Ridden along at a good pace and looked very good. (Punters take note next start)

10) EASY. Gentle run along, no pressure applied.

11) HANDY. Probably ran with others and stayed close to them.

12) DID PACE WORK. As it says, just a gentle run along.

13) EXTENDED. Ridden hard to the line, watch next start.

As I mentioned in your other question, this is very minimal information and I would sack the track reporter for offering such poor guides. As a punter you need better information than that.
Hope this helps,
Check the form guide in www.tab.co.nz for any race day and you will see what a real useful form guide looks like.

Don Boddie
New Zealand.