I've only been lurking here since just before Xmas.
I would never consider a lay before, but I decided to follow michaelg's picks for a lay. Then I got hooked and decided to try my own system. I started out on second favourites, but quickly noticed 3rd picks were better. I went 3 dayds without haviing to make a payout.
Didn't last long though, though. I copped 3 $60 dollar + payouts in one day.
Anyhow, i srarted with 100 dollars and I am now up to $1200 after about 4 weeks.My starting bets were $6 but now are $10. I use a free "betting assistant" to help me pick the "real" third favourite.
I also used a system similar to Maria's but not as good, so I'm going to apply her staking plan from tomorrow with a fictive $2000 bank.