Place % strike rates are the same today as they were 20 years ago but the odds have shortened. There used to be lots of $50+ winners from the top three place rankings. Now these longshots seem to be around the $20-$30 mark as more punters back them.

I too am investigating an approach that has not been highlighted and the results are encouraging but requires nerves of steel to follow and not waiver.

I agree totally, Barny, that one must use totally different factors (and not just different weightings of common factors) from the majority just as DS did with his weight ratings but even they faltered pricewise once the idea caught on generally.