Ratings-Based racing is something relatively new to most Australian punters but is here to stay so we need to get a handle on it. The major difference between ratings-based racing and the old Class 1, Class 2 (etc.) racing can be simplified by an example: In say, a 62RB (Ratings Based) race you can have a Class 1 horse (a horse with only one win), a Class 2 horse (horse with two wins) etc. racing against each-other provided their "rating" doesn't exceed the level of the race, in this example, 62.
in late 2006, a review of the possibility of implementing ratings-based racing, found that Victorian trainers in all corners of the state overwhelmingly supported the retention of Ratings Based racing. This is highlighted by the fact that 94% of trainers in Victoria supported the keeping this form of handicap racing.
Whilst there are many advantages RBH (Ratings-Based Handicapping) offers, it must be remembered that it will not always provide the same adjustments that are usually afforded by "discretionary" handicapping. (i.e. using human opinion to issuing a horse's weight) We cannot expect that a horse having a "ratings" adjustment after a particular race, will meet each runner that finished in front of him or her in that race, on better terms in the next race.
In the highly competitive world of providing horse race tips there is a war going on between computer generated ratings and human intellect. We interviewed many racing analysts and one such professional punter was quite baffled by those using computer ratings. David Gately from OzRacingForm.com explains: "Well if this was motorbike racing I could understand using a computer to find the winner, they have a maximum speed, no upside/downside, they can't have an 'off day', wet/dry tracks doesn't bother a motorbike etc. Horses, however, are subject to a plethora of outside influences and being animals, can be brave, scared, moody, they can improve sharply with fitness level differentials etc. This is only one opinion, but I feel computer ratings are the lazy way out and not very thorough".
The interesting thing with horses is their propensity to improve sharply from one run to another if early in their career, or early in their preparation. This is why it is imperative to notice the warning signs of a horse with significant improvement in him/her. If a horse is very 'green' (i.e. inexperienced, does things wrong) it can have tremendous scope to improve. If a horse is early in his/her campaign, it's fitness levels might not be where they are required to be and again, he/she may improve lengths at a subsequent run. Form guru David Gately says "Once you know the horses, you will know their patterns, and you will find more winners!"
Finding value runners is always the way professional punters have operated, there are many favourites that run that have little hope of actually winning. These horse's are referred to as "unders" (under their true odds of winning) and when identified can set you up for a nice collect if you can work around them in betting. How do we identify such 'unders'? Well, it gets back to knowing each horse and his/her particular likes and dislikes. David Gately from OzRacingForm.com thinks this is rule No.1. He explains: "Look, knowing a horse's capabilities, his likes or dislikes, his personality if you like, are keys to having half this battle (of finding value runners/winners) won".
Don't be scared by RBH (Ratings Based Handicap) racing. Yes, it has more 'layers' to it (horses competing from differing levels/ classes) but remember, it is a handicap and there will be horses well-weighted and poorly weighted in most races. (based on current form and/or scope to improve in differing conditions/fitness levels) So stay alert and may the best of luck be with you !
in late 2006, a review of the possibility of implementing ratings-based racing, found that Victorian trainers in all corners of the state overwhelmingly supported the retention of Ratings Based racing. This is highlighted by the fact that 94% of trainers in Victoria supported the keeping this form of handicap racing.
Whilst there are many advantages RBH (Ratings-Based Handicapping) offers, it must be remembered that it will not always provide the same adjustments that are usually afforded by "discretionary" handicapping. (i.e. using human opinion to issuing a horse's weight) We cannot expect that a horse having a "ratings" adjustment after a particular race, will meet each runner that finished in front of him or her in that race, on better terms in the next race.
In the highly competitive world of providing horse race tips there is a war going on between computer generated ratings and human intellect. We interviewed many racing analysts and one such professional punter was quite baffled by those using computer ratings. David Gately from OzRacingForm.com explains: "Well if this was motorbike racing I could understand using a computer to find the winner, they have a maximum speed, no upside/downside, they can't have an 'off day', wet/dry tracks doesn't bother a motorbike etc. Horses, however, are subject to a plethora of outside influences and being animals, can be brave, scared, moody, they can improve sharply with fitness level differentials etc. This is only one opinion, but I feel computer ratings are the lazy way out and not very thorough".
The interesting thing with horses is their propensity to improve sharply from one run to another if early in their career, or early in their preparation. This is why it is imperative to notice the warning signs of a horse with significant improvement in him/her. If a horse is very 'green' (i.e. inexperienced, does things wrong) it can have tremendous scope to improve. If a horse is early in his/her campaign, it's fitness levels might not be where they are required to be and again, he/she may improve lengths at a subsequent run. Form guru David Gately says "Once you know the horses, you will know their patterns, and you will find more winners!"
Finding value runners is always the way professional punters have operated, there are many favourites that run that have little hope of actually winning. These horse's are referred to as "unders" (under their true odds of winning) and when identified can set you up for a nice collect if you can work around them in betting. How do we identify such 'unders'? Well, it gets back to knowing each horse and his/her particular likes and dislikes. David Gately from OzRacingForm.com thinks this is rule No.1. He explains: "Look, knowing a horse's capabilities, his likes or dislikes, his personality if you like, are keys to having half this battle (of finding value runners/winners) won".
Don't be scared by RBH (Ratings Based Handicap) racing. Yes, it has more 'layers' to it (horses competing from differing levels/ classes) but remember, it is a handicap and there will be horses well-weighted and poorly weighted in most races. (based on current form and/or scope to improve in differing conditions/fitness levels) So stay alert and may the best of luck be with you !
About the Author:
David Gately, disappointed by the number of "professional" outfits out there, trying to make a quick buck by selling rubbish horse racing tips, continues to offer value information at the best prices around.. This article, Ratings Based Racing: A Limit On Their Usefulness is released under a creative commons attribution license.
No comments:
Post a Comment