Freowaytogo,
You got it in a nutshell with your last post. The way to get "over the odds" is to stick to your opinion irrespective of the weight of money on others. Opinions are formed by having a reliable method of rating horses which proves itself over time. If you purchase someone else's opinions or try to make automatic system selections, you're not helping yourself form your own opinions on the merits of the horses you're backing.

Most of the experienced punters on this site seem to have developed their own rating system, based on previous form. Where they differ is how much emphasis is placed on the factors involved - class, weights, times, jockeys, barriers etc.

But you still have to select winners at a rate consistent with the price band you are operating in. I concentrate on the 2nd or 3 rd line of betting and rarely back anything under 2/1 ($3.00), unless it's called Northerly. If you get average dividends around $6.00 then you only have to have one in 5 selections get up to stay afloat. One in 4 would mean a tidy profit.
Cheers