Today's NZH - Westport Horse Racing Picks

Scratch

A horse is a scratch when injury or other necessity causes it to be withdrawn from the race.

Claiming Race

A race in which horses are entered for a certain price, or claiming tag, which is also their sales price. An owner can claim any horse entered for the tag before the race begins, and owns them as soon as the gates open.

Bolt

A sudden veering to the inside or outside rail, often caused by the horse spooking or shying from something.