MEET DEAN WATLING

Winx, a champion who changed the game, broke records, and ignited a genuine love and passion for racing across many generations.

One person who was caught in the spell of Winx mania was Dean Watling, a casual racing fan who’s date with the champion mare changed the course of his own life.

“I don’t come from a horse racing background,” Watling said.

“I got attached to Winx when she came on the scene and I got hooked from there.”

“I thought this is fun, do I take it seriously or keep it as a hobby? I decided to get serious.”

Watling is part of a younger wave of form analysts, combining a unique skill set with the many and varied tools available on the Betfair Exchange.

“I work in a couple of different capacities, mainly as a form analyst but also with a couple of stables doing form for them,” he said.

“I also help buy horses from overseas and bring them out to Australia to grow our industry.”

“The best part is you don’t need a degree. You just need the right skills and the right attitude.”

“The key is to meet the right people and be good at your job.”

An astute judge of trial form, Watling feels it is vital for form analysts to stick to what they know best without getting too bold. With a focus on maidens, he spoke about where his own strengths have developed.

“Mine is different to most the way I approach a race,” Watling explained.

“I put a big emphasis on background and a profile on horses before they even get to a race. A lot of my work is done at the trials. Times, which jockey’s are sticking and which aren’t.”

“This gives me the chance to build a profile for everyone and I go to the races knowing who I want to back and who I don’t.”

“The next step is track bias and track patterns, so who is suited today and who isn’t?”

“Next step is a speed map, and using replays. I am a very visual learner.”

“Like everyone you than assess whether the horse is the right price.”

“More than 50% of my work is done during the week leading up, and the key is once that is done… now, when do you play in the market?”

That ability to hone in on a strength is complemented by Betfair’s wide array of tools, and the significant shifts within the market in the minutes before a race.

“Through the education you can start to marry up your own strengths with what Betfair offers,” Watling added.

“It’s good to learn it early and the best part is you discover new things on Betfair every day.”

“The way the market shapes late, makes up probably 95% of what I want to do. Beating SP is the key for me.

“Racing is a big mental game, if you strip it right back, and did you beat the market before the race?” Watling said.

“Betfair moves first and the corporates jump on next. Betfair gives you information that shapes the racing landscape.”

“The people you meet is the best part of racing. I don’t think I’d be where I am without the likes of Chris Camilleri who taught me everything about racing,” Watling recalled.

“I was also lucky enough to speak to Dominic Bierne. He was so big for my journey.”

“Tom Haylock was also very influential with how I attack trials. Jockey setups etc.”

“Having a good wagering group is massive, especially during tough times.”

“The downside is you cop a lot of, ‘You haven’t been in the industry long enough, so you don’t know,’” Watling said.

“But I’m passionate about paving the way for people and ensuring we have a pathway and a strong industry in 5-10 years.”

“The great part is you aren’t a tradie, who might have 20 years in the game and you have to give up the tools.”

“The key though is to understand you’ll never reach the top and you can always get better so you have to keep chipping away.”

“Betfair is massive. It’s not quite recognised enough for how big it is. The amount of information you can get even without betting is phenomenal,” Watling said.

“Where is the big money going? What’s the liquidity. I don’t think the general public understands how big it is. I think it is the backbone of a lot of elements.”

“I would say start small. Protect your bank and be very sensible. Don’t get over excited and try to many things,” Watling advised.

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Find your strength and marry them up with Betfair. Make an edge out of that.”

“I bet off trials, so there is no point me laying horses over 2400m in South Australia. That wouldn’t work for me.”

“The different way it is structured. Peer to Peer betting. Everyone wants to win. Betfair wants you to win. Jump on the website and look at all the education. They’ve got tools, systems and information,” Watling said.