Hermes,
I don't claim to be an expert. I just try to learn all the time. I assume from your comments you buy a proper formguide, possibly Sportsman?

For my weight and class measures I buy the Wizard. Saves hours of work. Unfortunately this only comes as a paper for Saturdays but you can get it on the net from inracing but the top quality guide is $11/meeting. Seen as I hardly bet midweek, but take note of results, this doesn't worry me.

With regard to $$$ unless you know when this money was won it doesn't mean much. Average Prizemoney is a better guide but can easily be distorted by big wins early in a career.

One factor I neglected to mention in my previous post was fitness. If it ain't fit it won't win. This does not mean horses can not win 1st-up or after more than 21 days break- you need to look at the individual!