Here's how to look up horses if you attend Indian Derby (Gr 1)u00a0--u00a0 the country's greatest racing eventu00a0-- at the Mahalaxmi racecourse this Sunday (February 5).

Coat: Coat means the tone of the skin. If it reflects light, it's a good sign. If it does not, the horse may be rusty.
Eyes: Rolling eyes indicate too much excitement or fright. Sleepy eyes may signify a dull horse. A focussed, steady and curious gaze in the direction of the sound indicates an alert and ready horse.
Ears: Ears pricked forward generally mean the horse is ready and alert. Ears pinned back indicate fear, sometimes anger. A ready horse will always flick ears towards the jockey when he is mounting.
Neck: An arched neck signifies a well-tuned horse, but generally for a sprint race. It may not be a great sign for trips of more than a mile.
Tail: Ready horses generally have a high (meaning 'raised') tail. They may lightly swish it when walking with springy steps. A kinked tail is a sign of genuine fear.