Here's a different approach.

We are looking for good priced placegetters.

We target the most scratched race of the day. That is, the race with the most number of scratchings, not including late scratchings or scratched emergencies.

The contenders in this race are the runners TABbed above the scratched horses. Thus if #2 is scratched, #1 is a contender. If #7 is scratched then #6 is a contender. If #1 is scratched then the bottomweight becomes a contender.

We now back all contenders to place proportionate to their starting price: less on long priced starters and more on the short priced starters. Some judgement is required here.

Some days this lands some very healthy placegetters, as good as your average winners, and often two very healthy placegetters. No exact stats but in my short trials it seems like a productive strategy.

Hermes