By Helen Moreland

While the title of his book is "Watching Racehorses - A guide to betting on behaviour," it is clear within the first few pages of Geoffrey Hutson's first book that he has been observing much more than horseflesh at Victorian racetracks over the years.

Before leaving in 1998 to pursue a career as a full-time punter (on the stockmarket and on racehorses), Hutson spent over 20 years at the University of Melbourne as a research fellow in animal behaviour - studying the behaviour of a wide range of domestic animals including cattle, horses, pigs and sheep.

Hutson has also written numerous articles for scientific journals, newspapers and magazines including Applied Animal Behaviour Science, New Scientist, The Age, The Sunday Age and Turf Monthly.

"Watching Racehorses" was written by Hutson for "fun lovers; flutterers; Spring Carnival partygoers; regular, week-in, week-out punters; once-ayear wonders; big hairy-chested punters; professional punters; owners; trainers and people who simply just love horses" and it does cross over those groups well.

However, the book will be a great read for most people with an interest in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry in particular, given its great anecdotes, including notes on the behaviour of both individual horses and trainers, not to mention some interesting photos.

Hutson's comments on some of the marketing and promotional aspects of racing, and his reports on his experiences in dealing with the media are also well worth the read.

Nevertheless, the book does eventually get into the practicalities of "horse watching," from horsemanship and equine behaviour to betting.

The content is so varied that there should be something in the book for everyone.

The book covers some interesting and varied areas of behavioural research, providing ideas on the practical application of the outcomes of research such as that undertaken by J.R Bowers and Ron Slocombe which found that the over-tightening of girths adversely affects the performance of racehorses.

A simple lesson for those observing horses at the races is that the research showed that females are less likely to over-tighten girths than males, which is only a part of Hutson's observations of how the attitude and behaviour of strappers and trainers impacts on horses in their care.

Other aspects of equine physiology and fitness are also discussed with the backing of refereed research. Hutson's observations on equipment such as bits and bandages and what they're used for are also useful.

Interestingly, Hutson also notes that the rate of favourites winning (30%) has remained unchanged throughout time, despite all the changes in technology over the years.

One of the most valuable lessons in the book is the benefit of being able to pick "losers" as well as "winners". Hutson discovered some time into his research that being able to cross out horses could be more useful to him, given the nature of his studies, than selecting winners.

Arguably as interesting as Hutson's views on equine behaviour are the details of "horse watching" from day-to-day. It is fascinating to learn about such an obviously complicated process, collecting the data necessary to make statements on the relationship between horse behaviour and performance requires great attention to detail and a lot of footwork.

"Watching Racehorses" is an easy and entertaining read and it is well written in a colloquial but smooth style. I would warn prospective readers however, about adult themes and coarse language within the book.

The enthusiasm that Hutson has for racing, and for horses, is evident throughout "Watching Racehorses". This reader found herself laughing out loud in parts of the book, finding it difficult to put down.

"Watching Racehorses - a guide to betting on behaviour."
Clifton Press
Published 2002