The betting odds play a big role in any major horse race, and the Cox Plate is certainly no exception. There are a number of ways to check the odds prior to making a bet, with local bookmakers and online betting services. Gone are the days when you had to wander between bookmakers to compare odds, with this job now performed easily from the comfort of your own home.
Cox Plate odds are organised in much the same way as other horse races, according to past performances and overall form over recent and long term history. The favourite horses will be given what are referred to as short odds, which offer the smallest payout in exchange for a greater probability of success. Short odds are often defined as anything less than $3.00, although this is relative and changes from race to race.
Horses given long odds for the Cox Plate are known as outsiders, and offer a much higher payout together with a reduced chance of success. However, while outsiders are named that way for a reason, there have been many occasions when horses with long odds have surprised both the field and punters alike. In the Cox Plate and other major races, inexperienced punters will often choose outsiders after being attracted to the odds on offer.
Like many other races, there are antepost odds offered for the Cox Plate though some bookmakers. These odds are generally available weeks before race day and guarantee a good early price for punters with experience and foresight. In order to get the best odds for the Cox Plate, it is advisable to sign up with a few different online bookmakers, so you can make the best decision with all the information at your fingertips.