Hi Darkydog,
I used to use the Sportsman zipratings too ,but the only newsagent for miles no longer stocks it..I was the only one who purchased it!
I've tried the Age newspaper ratings which is what I used to come up with the Moonee Valley picks for 3/1/04..then I thought better of it and used the tabracing ratings as I have been for a while now and came up with different picks.

Of the 6 picks I made using the Age ratings I got 2 winners from the 4 suitable races..2 were mares or filly races which I didn't notice at the time.
Using the tabracing ratings I got 3 winners from the 4 races I bet on.
Just goes to show..don't change a thing when it's working!.

But the Sportsman is so much better..if I can get it.

And Luckboy...I'm glad to see that someone else uses minimal info as well...I only use 3 of the same variables as you do but I will try out your 8 variables some time and see how the 2 lots compare over time.