Shaun, you're right. But my friend used a loss-chasing method which performed very well.

Sportz, according to the print-out, the fields with a maximum of 11 runners provided a higher rate of instances when the TAB divvy paid more than the amount of starters (and outlay) per race than the races with 12-plus runners. Also, the progressive increase to the outlay was not as harsh.

I have been testing today's races "on paper" with the same progression method my friend used but it has not fared well. Of the 12 races I've so far looked at, only 2 races paid more than the outlay. The faves have had an above average strike rate. I'll continue to monitor the upcoming races.