Whether you call it "time handicapping" or "speed ratings" or whatever, it is a whole lot of work for very little reward, in my opinion. Track variants, if anything, seem to be becoming more and more unpredictable leaving the time factor calculation as one which is unreliable in far too many cases.

Having said that, though, one racing acquaintance of mine is a substantial punter who is very successful in using his time ratings for price conversions. He is a consistent big winner but only rates and attacks contests up to a maximum of 1300 metres and only on good or fast surfaces. Beyond the 1300, he found his ratings to be much less accurate and generally unprofitable.

I agree with Privateer. Time (whether race time or sectionals) is not in my top 6. In fact, it doesn't rate at all in any of my methods of selection. For those who can use the time factor to their financial advantage, you have my admiration.

Some of the time it takes to work out these Speed Ratings and sectionals could be better spent on basic form analysis.

1. Class
2. Recent form

The time it would take me to go through every horse and analyse speed ratings etc...the last race at Perth would be over before I placed a bet!

:eek: