Good thread lads and an interesting chat. I am going to put my 0.5cents worth, because what I am going to say is not even worth 2cents.

Privateer, some excellent points but to just a minor thing. To say that place strike rate is "a much better" indicator than winning strike rate is a bit of a misnomer.
I only comment because this is one stat I have studied closely over the years also.
Place strike has an edge, approx. 1-2% over winning strike rate if you are taking the top placegetter over the top winner. It is up to you whether you believe 1-2% is significant or not and that is over a long period of time.
But if you looking at win v place over say the top 5-6 horses there is no difference at all.

Just a small thing, good luck to you all.