Continuing on Dale about looking at suitable pace + time [within 2 seconds of course record] etc. Below is an example of what I do with races that have run within 2 sec. of course record [the rest are a waste of time and tell us nothing].
I look at the place getters of the races that have run time and then the stewards reports. The * marked horses go in my black book for next run for special consideration and the other placegetters next race also because they have run time and look for pace to suit for all of them.

Caulfield Sat. 4 Aug. Track good 3, Penetrometer: 4.68

R1 1000m 0:57.66 [record 56.10] 1.56 [within 2 sec. of course record]
1. PINS ON PARADE
2. TIS FOLLY [had a tendency to lay in under pressure in the concluding stages]
*3. DANE THE RAVE [was held up for a run rounding the home turn]

R2 1000m 0:57.87 [record 56.10] 1.77
1. ROYAL ASSHER [was held up for clear running rounding the home turn]
*2. BEL MER [shifted out and bumped Listen Here when obtaining a run between that filly and La Goulue near the 200m]
3. LA GOULUE

R5 1200m 1:09.39 [record 1.07.74] 1.65 [an obvious contender race for time, but nothing really special time wise here]
1. APACHE CAT
2. HARADASUN [Haradasun commenced to over-race when the pace slackened in the middle stages and that near the 600 metres he had to ease to the outside of Apache Cat to improve his position, D Oliver added that Haradasun then layed in under pressure over the concluding stages and in his opinion, Haradasun will benefit from today’s run].
5 HONALEE

R6 1400m 1:23.13 [record 1.21.20] 1.93
1. GUNFIRE MESSIAH [Acting on a report from the starter regarding the behavior of Gunfire Messiah when being placed in the stalls, Stewards notified trainer P Morgan it must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards in a barrier trial at which time it must obtain a barrier certificate]
2. BIRD DANCER [After passing the 600m Bird Dancer had to be checked off the heels of Prospect]
*3. PROSPECT [S Murphy rider of Prospect stated that from his outside barrier and the step up in class of today’s race, he was unable to ride the gelding in a forward position in the early and middle stages which is its normal racing pattern].

R8 1100m 1:03.79 [record 1.01.86] 1.93
SPIELMESTER
*2. KAPHERO [Approaching the winning post Kaphero and Monahan Tweed came together due mainly to Kaphero shifting in under pressure]
3. SNAPPY TOM [A veterinary examination after the race revealed that Snappy Tom had sustained a laceration to its off hind pastern]