You’ve got your ‘please don’t rain – wow factor’ race day outfit and wet weather option sorted for The Golden Slipper Festival starting this Saturday. And no doubt you’re well prepared for comment and confabulating on the spectators and trackside fashion, but what about the horse racing?

There’s still time to get a basic understanding of equine racing. To help you cram here’s your elementary punter’s glossary* of horse racing terms.

Correct weight: signalled when all placed jockeys have correctly weighed in and there is no protest. Not to be confused with the two kilos you’re forever hoping to take off if you’re a woman and to put on if you’re a man.

Favourite: the horse who is most fancied to win the race and therefore at the shortest price. Not to be confused with cult designers like Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs or duo Proenza Schouler.

Filly: Female horse up to three years of age. Not to be confused with all the fine-looking ladies at Myer Sydney Confidential Ladies’ Day.

Form: past performances of the horse. Not to be confused with how you rate all the dapper-looking lads mingling in the Black Type Bar and new $30 million Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens.

Hanging: when a horse does not run straight during a race. Not to be confused with just punishment when someone spills champagne on you.

Shoe: a u-shaped metal plate nailed to the horse’s hoof. Not to be confused with what every lady will be aching to get rid of by the end of the racing day.

Now all you have to do is pick the winner (yes, we’re referring to the horse).

The Golden Slipper Festival

The Golden Slipper Festival kicks off at Canterbury Park this Saturday 5th April and includes eight Group 1 races throughout the carnival culminating in Australia’s richest day of racing, AAMI Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 19th April.

*source: Punters Guide