Handicapping

Question
When STudying Form what would you say is the single most factor that you look for from psst performances

Answer
Hi Victor,
           Thats an easy question ----------------------but there is no easy answer.
The single biggest factor when considering form is, consider the form!
If the horse has been running recently then you are looking for a guide to how it will perform next.
Things to take into consideration are,
Distance, gate, jockey, weight, race conditions, track conditions, strength of opposition, weather, trial and training form.
Compare this with the same things in todays race and see how they stack up.

I like to see the horses I'm backing so I go to the track and check them out.
Does the horse look well, is it nicely tucked up or is it carrying condition, bright eyes, alert looking, settled, glossy coat and so on.
Some punters are followers of statistics. Check out the new stats guide at www.nzracing.co.nz. This is the stats guide for New Zealand racing.
You will see 60 odd pages of information that can point you in the right direction and most countries will have a guide like this. Also check www.jockeysite.com. This is a very comprehensive guide to information in many countries.

By far the best guide to what will win a race is the tote. Check several race meetings and you will see that the horse which starts favourite will be in the first 3 in 6/10 races every day. This can give you a 60% hit rate which is better than most people do.
I hope this all helps,
Regards,
Don Boddie
New Zealand.