In a game where breeding is everything on the racecourse, there is a lot to be said for punters who have generations of betting knowledge in their bloodlines.
We went one on one with a rising star of the racing industry, Kurt Burns, to discuss all things punting, life and Riverina racing.
He's the 23-year old blessed with over 100 years' worth of professional punting knowledge. A third-generation punter, who sets the alarm for 6am to watch replays and take all his notes with a pen and paper.
"After every race meeting, I print out the results then go through every race watching it over and over, writing down where each horse was after the 200m, 400m and 600m. I then work out how fast they went over the first 400m. It's an old fashioned way of doing things, but it works for me."
"When it comes to geting my set ready for race day, I find it a lot easier knowing I have all the recent results of how a horse went that day, written down next to me in a filing cabinet."
What does all this mean? It's quite simple really.
This young man from the Riverina is a rising star of the game and we have the numbers to back that up.
Over the last 180 days, Kurt is sitting on a very tidy 20% Profit on Turnover from his 192 tips.
Looking at the horse racing leaderboard, and these figures rank him amongst the top 10 media experts around the country over this period.
Top performing media experts over the past 180 days
What's clear from the stats also is that Kurt is not shy of finding a roughie.
Since he started tipping at theGreatTipOff.com, the average price of Kurt's winners has been an enviable $5.06 with his biggest winner coming at Wagga in July paying $16.30.
Kurt clearly knows how to find value
So, what gives Kurt the edge to deliver consistent profit?
There is no doubt following in the footsteps of his pop and father is a huge key to his success. There's nothing like learning the ropes from those who have done it all before
We learned that there's more to Kurt than just Riverina racing.
Kurt's fondest racing memory came in 2014, when the family owned trotter, She's A Runner, saluted in the NSW Oaks at Menangle.
"She drew low that day and ended up 3 or 4 back the fence, buried in an unlikely winnable spot. As they turned for home the horse that was outside the leader galloped and took out a few horses peeling out wide, which created gaps and 'SHE'S A RUNA' squeezed up the fence for one of the luckiest wins you’ll ever see at $26."
"Seeing my pop and dad get so excited watching the race, got me hooked on the sport."
There is little doubt that all punters go on winning streaks, but what separates the best from the rest?
Without out a doubt, the key to Kurt's success is hard work and perseverance.
"I’m big for the old saying 'The harder you work the luckier you get'."
"A successful punter said to me once, 'many crumbs make a loaf'."
When pressed on the specifics of his form analysis, Kurt suggested he's big on assessing the way a horse got through his/her most recent start.
"A big thing for me is how efficient the horse's run was. I find they can improve hugely just from a more economical run throughout, so I'm always on the lookout for horses which are coming off a race where they've been 3 wide."
Kurt's discipline is the key to his success. He now focuses only on Riverina racing, which ensures he maintains an edge over the market.
"When I first started doing the replays and betting a fair bit, I used to do all of Victoruan racing, but the work load got way too much for one person, plus some trainers are impossible to catch down that way"
"After two years of that, results showed that something needed to change."
"So I sat down with my old man and decided to keep things simple and focus on Riverina racing, using my friendships with local trainers and jockeys to an advantage."
And that local knowledge clearly pays dividends.
Kurt is a clear Wagga track expert, having yielded 41% Profit on Turnover from his 63 tips at the track over the past 180 days.
Top 5 tipsters at Wagga over the past 180 days
When asked on what advise he has for other up and coming punters, Kurt said - "I’m still learning each and every day myself. A big thing that will help people is to watch replays as often as you can."
"Learn as much about each horse as you can, they are like people sometimes and love their routines, certain tracks and certain gear changes too."
We see Kurt often tipping harness winners for fun on twitter, so the question had to be asked. What does he prefer betting on?
"I love harness racing, that’s what my pop preferred and what dad bets on. I grew up with Harold Park races on in the background 24/7."
"However, I much prefer betting my hard earned into my thoroughbred selections. I dive into the thoroughbred form a lot deeper than the harness, but always find myself watching the Riverina harness races."
Favourite race track – Wagga
Favourite race horse – Santa Ana Lane (tipped to everyman I know in the Rupert Clarke stakes)
Favourite meeting to attend – Love going to the small tracks in the Riverina, but Flemington was unreal!
Favourite jockey – Blaike McDougall
All-time favourite horse race – Hard to go past the Melbourne Cup, but would one day I would love to win a Wagga Gold Cup as an owner. The town just loves the local Gold Cup.
Biggest inspiration or mentor in the racing game – Has to be my old boy- Paul! I’ve learnt along the way how hard and cruel this game can be and for him to be doing it for 20+ years, I take my hat off. He’s taught me everything I know and everything I need to improve on as well.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – Would ideally love to be living off the punt in the future, that’s the goal at least. Plenty of ups and downs along the way! I’m sure of it.