Greyhound racing is a sport that showcases the speed and agility of the world’s fastest dogs. Incredibly, a greyhound can run up to speeds of 45mph which is faster than the speed limit in most towns and cities around the world.

Betting on greyhounds

Quite simply, these dogs are a breathtaking sight to behold when in full stride, which makes greyhound racing one of the most exciting sports to bet on; one minute they are in the starting traps and the next they are a blur crossing the line after putting in a lung-busting effort in a bid to catch the mechanical hare. With such extraordinary athleticism on display, it’s no surprise that greyhound racing continues to grow in popularity.

If you plan to join the ever-increasing number of people wagering on dog betting over the 2024 season – which might include a bet on the English Greyhound Derby where De Lahdedah is one of the early ante post favorites at +2000, then keep in mind these tips which are sure to assist you when picking a possible winner.

Track conditions

The welfare of racing greyhounds around the world is of paramount importance, which is why sand is now used as the surface on most racecourses. This universal decision has been taken to reduce injuries as sand is easier on the joints of the dogs than dirt or artificial tracks typically are. Essentially, without any fear of getting hurt, these dogs can focus on what they do best; running like the wind.

In betting terms, however, it’s still worth noting the fact that the track conditions won’t always be the same, even if the surface doesn’t change. The rule of thumb is that when conditions are wet tracks run markedly quicker while drier weather makes for a slower race. Make sure you keep an eye out for the conditions that favor certain dogs leading up to and on the day of the race before betting on greyhound racing.

Form

Greyhound racing is no different from any other sporting contest, given that form should be carefully considered before betting. The good news is that online greyhound form guides are a dime a dozen and can be easily accessed.

Of course, greyhound racing can also produce winners that were allocated substantial pre-race odds – there’s no better example of this thrilling unpredictability than when Gaytime Nemo won the 2023 English Greyhound Derby at odds of 10/1. Coming into the race, Gaytime Nemo’s previous results didn’t suggest a win was on the cards.

In instances like these, the form book goes out the window as it does in most sports when upsets occur. More often than not, though, the previous form can provide a reliable idea of what might happen during a greyhound race.

Starting positions

Finally, it’s crucial that you analyze the respective starting positions of the dogs before betting on a potential race winner. The reason for this is simple; certain greyhounds perform better when on the inside trap while others might struggle for track position if they are on the outside. To that end, the initial moments after a race starts can have a significant influence on the final outcome as the dogs jockey for their favored positions.

Revealingly, dogs that end up reaching the fourth bend in first place go on to claim victory just under 40 percent of the time.

The importance of doing your due diligence before betting

While betting on greyhounds is not an exact science, you can increase your chances of making an informed bet when you take the time to assess the factors that often influence a race. Indeed, there is no substitute for being well-informed when wagering on the world’s fastest dogs and, by considering the track conditions, form, and starting positions, you are covering the crucial fundamentals that may determine a winner.