I have busted many myths over the years, who actually derived these rules and why?
Well, it was either losing punters or bookmakers, either way, one should make one's own assessment of what works or what doesn't.
It's quite interesting to note that all the legendary punters don't have any of these rules - at all.
Phil Bull
Pittburgh Phil
Don Scott
Sean Bartholomeusz
Mark Read.
Wet tracks
Horses that used to run on Fast tracks were a worse betting proposition than extremely heavy track runners.
Whatever the going, one should be betting on horses proven in that going, or allowing for unproven horses with acceptable odds cut offs.
What one must look out for are changing track conditions, where a track goes from Dead to Heavy, this is where trainers "try em out anyway"
It's interesting to note, that when a horse fails on a rain affected track, that punters and commentators want to steer clear of rain affected tracks.
Where is the logic in this?
When a horse fails with a rise in class, or doesn't handle the pace, do we avoid all Group 1's or races that might possibly have a fast pace?
The truth is, that if you lived in the UK and avoided rain affected going, you'd probably have 10 bets a year

And they seem to do pretty o.k.
The same applies to odds on, second up from a spell, small fields, horses for courses etc etc.
"odds on look on, or don't take odds on and don't walk up stairs"
Well you lose less than taking the next horse down in the betting, in fact any other horse in the field. By taking top fluctuation, you can actually make a profit on all of them!
The worst value is the outsider of the field, a punter loses the most, that's why bookies want punters to back them and avoid odds on favourites. And that's why bookies love the once a year crowd who bet on names colours and hunches.
Whatever a punter believes, if he believes it, nobody is going to change their mind, even if it's proven in black and white and real time.
There will always be a yes....but comeback.
We have to accept we are all different in our approaches.
As far a most maxims go, there isn't one I haven't busted
