Quinella Betting Guide

01How a quinella works

A quinella pays if your two selections finish first and second in either order — 4-7 and 7-4 both win. Because there are two winning combinations, quinellas cost more than an equivalent exacta combination but hit far more often. Dividends are parimutuel: the TAB pools all quinella bets and divides the pool (minus commission) among winning units.

02Boxing and standout quinellas

A boxed quinella with three horses covers all three possible pairs for $3, and with four horses all six pairs for $6. A standout quinella — one horse must run first or second, with two or more partners — costs one combination per partner. Boxing is the standard play; standouts suit races where one horse is clearly the best and you want several runners against it.

03Quinella versus exacta

The quinella covers both orders in one bet; the exacta pays more but demands the order. A useful comparison: take the exacta when you're confident of the order (dominant favourite, one clear danger) and the quinella when you simply want the best two horses. In small pools, quinellas are usually the better-value tote product because more casual money floods the exacta.

04When quinellas shine

Quinellas are made for competitive midweek and country races where two horses stand out from a moderate field. They're also the friendliest exotic for beginners — one bet, two horses, either order. Avoid loading up with five or six boxed runners in big fields; the cost climbs ($10 for five, $15 for six) while your dividend thins.

Frequently Asked Questions