You can compare times b/t different tracks, by using either the track record or avg times ran at different tracks.

I have track record times for almost every track in NSW, Vic and QLD.

I can compare Ipswich with Flemington if I want. The degree of error is est at about 0.2 secs or 1.25 lengths. Therefore I only consider a horse to have superior ratings if it is significantly faster - 3 lengths usually.

This 3 length buffer allows for margin of error as well as bad luck and natural improvement in a horse.

However, if a horse is say 1.5 lengths better than the rest, but is 30/1 - that's a great e/w bet. If it was an even money favourite I would avoid it.

If a horse is 6 lengths or more superior, I would accept odds-on, given a small field (less chance of bad luck) and no other negative factors. I have never seen one of these lose yet.

Just because you don't have the info to do such calculations doesn't mean its not possible.

I don't have a shuttle to fly to the moon, yet I don't say that it can't be done.

Your ignorance may be or not bliss.

With sprinters speed ratings can be quite useful, but they are not the be all and end all with selections due to numerous factors.

However, there have been occasions when I have identified horses at good odds which have superior ratings to others in a race - in these cases one has a significant betting advantage.

For example, I calculated Spinning Hill's speed ratings prior to the Lightning Stakes -those 14/1 odds were juicy considering she had the best speed ratings.

Rubitano also had good speed ratings prior to his group 1 win.

Surdurka is another.


With 1600m+ races, the best way to use speed ratings is weight the final section by 50% and the other part of the race by 50%.

Example
2000m race
time of 122 secs (adjusted for weights etc)
final 600m of 35 secs.

4/6 times 35 = 23.333 secs (400m)

122-35 = 87secs for first 1400m
400/1400 times 87 = 24.857

23.333 + 24.857 = 48.19
48.19/2 = 24.095 seconds

Therefore its weighted avg 400m sectional times are 24.095 secs.

Compare this with raw avg 122/5 = 24.4 seconds.

For 2000m races its much better to compare horses using the weighted avg time. The horse with the fastest time is the one to look at backing. If there are 2 or 3 horses around the same mark - look at odds and barrier.

You should also make adjustments for today's weight changes - if for instance one horse is 3kgs worse off than last time - you would then need to adjust sectional times for this.

For sprint races, just use the total time and adjust for weight, track condition etc..

The hardest variable to adjust for is track condition, as some slow track times are almost as fast as good track times, while other slow tracks are several secs slower.

Some people overcome this by ignoring times ran on any tracks rated worse than good. If a horse has had 10 or more starts - you can easily compare times from previous starts on good tracks.

ozeform has all starts for all Aussie horses - good for speed ratings.

The main drawback with speed ratings is it takes a fair bit of time to do them properly.


WHERE'S THERE'S SMOKE, THERE'S FIRE