If you look at the Tour de France on SBS the peleton effect is incredibly significant.Those breakaway guys are inevitably overhauled by the peleton.The riders sitting off the pace are certainly getting a very easy time,expending very little energy until they unleash their finishing burst.

The riders who get too far back in the peleton simply cannot peg back the leading half dozen and will often be "dropped off".

Gai Waterhouse trains her horses to run just off the pace for this very reason.It has been a succesful method for her and I'm sure that it will continue.Anything over 1300m its well worth noting horses that consistently run their races in the leading bunch.

I dont know about you guys, but when they balance up for the run home I like to see my horses with a winning chance,not looking for miracle runs,or blocked up in midfield.Any trainer who prepares their charges to run just off the pace is worth $$$$

On the other hand if the "suck along" effect has something to do with King's Cross then I'm in the wrong forum....