Okay, I've done a bit more research. I decided to test out a couple of different staking methods on the betting strategy races, because those are the races I think are most suitable for backing the top 2 raters. Firstly, I went over all the strategy 1 selections and I bet exactly the same amount per race as I did with the original rules, but this time I simply saved on the shorter priced selection and I bet all of the rest on the longer priced runner. And then, I also worked out what the result would have been just using plain old level stakes - $30 on both selections no matter what price.

Here are the results:

Strategy 1 - Out $7284, In $8602.50, Profit $1318.50 (18.1%)
Back/Save - Out $7284, In $8610.60, Profit $1326.60 (18.2%)
Level stake - Out $7500, In $8883.00, Profit $1383.00 (18.4%)

So there you go. 3 very different staking methods and the end result was VERY similar with level stakes coming out just slightly in front. Interesting.



And here are some more stats from the strategy 1 races since August.

Top rated: 125, Wins 51, Return $147.20, Profit $22.20 (17.8%)
2nd rated: 125, Wins 28, Return $148.90, Profit $23.90 (19.1%)

Shortest priced: 126*, Wins 50, Return $139.70, Profit $13.70 (10.8%)
Longest priced: 124, Wins 29, Return $156.40, Profit $32.40 (26.1%)

(* one race had equal priced runners, so I included both of them in the shortest priced category)

That's certainly food for thought. 26.1% profit for the longer priced runner as opposed to just 10.8% profit for the shorter price. Something to look at for the future.