For as long as there has been horse racing, there have been horse racing systems. In the passed, the novice like you and me relied up  the expertese of the track side staff, the bookies, the professional punters, maybe even that hot tip from Uncle Joe whose mate owns a real goer and the like.

With the advent of online gambling agencies and the introduction of new systems by the racing agencies, it is a whole new world.

Fun Fact #1

When the Benchmark system was introduced in 2010, it was supposed to even the field. It is designed so that all entrants “should’ cross the finish line at the same time. But the best laid plans of mice and men….

Not all States and Terrirories around Australia adopted the system uniformly. A Benchmark rating at one track is not treated in the same way at another track. Some States modified the Benchmark System to suit them selves. Some States just kept the old system.

Hence a BM60 at Randwick does not equal BM60 in Newcastle and just for good measure, that does not equal a BM60 in Albury.

Oh and BM60 on Wednesday, does not equal a BM60 on Saturday.

 

Fun Fact #2

When looking at the last race time in the form, the published time is the time of the winning horse. Not the time of your horse. If you want to know how long it took for your horse to run the distance, you need to do this bit of math:

Your horses time = the published time in the form (that is the winners time) + (the number of lengths is was beaten by divided by 6).

Fun Fact #3

When a horse is Scratched, it may not be for medical reasons. More often than not, horses are entered in multiple races, known as Dual Entries, then the trainer can Scratch the horse based upon who else is in the draw or what barrier it drew.

Fun Fact #4

The amount of weight a horse carries really makes no difference in the first 600m. It is after the 600m that the weight has an affect.

Fun Fact #5

The actual weight that the horse carries may not be what is published in the form. It is qute possible that the weight may be less if the allocated jockey is permitted a weight allowance.

Fun Fact #6

As much as all care is taken by the data supplier agencies, it is quite possible that the information in the form guide is incorrect. On many occasions, the EP System eliminates Trades for no other reason than the published data may be incorrect.

Fun Fact #7

Which direction is the current track running? This is the same as you running a race but starting on the wrong foot. Is your horse left or right footed? Is the track clockwise or anti-clockwise? Which way does your horse prefer?

Fun Fact #8

In the old days to be in a Class 1 race, the horse had to have won at least 1 race. To be in a Class 2 race, the horse had to have won at least 2 races. The purpose of the Benchmark System was to introduce more “Equality”. All horses should cross the finish line at the same time. But did you realise this also means that ANY horse can enter ANY race. Meaning that it is very possible to have a Class 6 or Group horse running in somewhat lower quality fields. But you wouldn’t know that just be reading the form guide.

Fun Fact #9

Horses are a herd animal. They run faster in a herd. Fight or Flight Syndrome kicks in on a race course.

Fun Fact #10

The best wins are midweek, not on a Saturday or Sunday. So enjoy your weekend.

Fun Fact #11

The highest race speed recorded over two furlongs is 70.76 km/h (19.63 m/s) and was achieved by Winning Brew trained by Francis Vitale (United States), at the Penn National Race Course, Grantville, Pennsylvania, United States, on 14 May 2008. Winning Brew covered the quarter-mile (402 m, 2 furlongs) in 20.57 sec. She is a 2 year old filly thoroughbred. The record for 1½ miles (2,414 m) is 60.86 km/h (37.82 mph) by 3-year-old Hawkster at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California, USA on 14 October 1989 with a time of 2min 22.8sec.