Sorry Xanadu, I just found your thread! Thanks for taking an interset in my opines and biases on American (and OZ) racing. I really do think you aussies are more critical of the riders than we are, but we get a chance to back or beat the same riders day after day while your riders travel from track to track, although most of the time they have mounts, it's not like here where it's not uncommon for riders to ride a day card and a night card at a different track. Also, I thnk we've become a little desensitized in the respect that if we get a bad ride, we shrug it off. I don't but some people think your whining if you start screaming about a brutal ride. (man, did I get a bad one from Jerry BAiley of all people last week. he ran up on the fading horse on the rail in front of him twice on the far turn. then opened the rail for Vlazquez to go by. He looked like a 10 pound bug boy(beginning Apprentice). The people who treat it more as a sport and also take it seriously are much more critical than the average fan. I'd like to know where that ride occurred that you saw.

Also, it makes sense about the US racing not flying over there because the time difference makes you decide between handicapping your tracks before the early afternoon starts or wagering on US in the morning, hard to do both. That has sort of been my dilemma as of late, but the Aussie goes very late so I can catch up while they are running. I really think the Aus is mre true to form than American, but I don't know why. By looking at the track maps of Taree and Gundy, I realized that both tracks probably favored inside speed horses because of those tight looking turns and it looks like I was right. Is that the norm for those tracks or was it just coincidental?

TRACK BIAS
Speaking of track biases like these, I have always focused on trying to fjind out how a track is playing before I really make a firm decision. The bias can beat the strongest 1/5 shot going and can make for some nice divs. If you are interested, I'll tip you on some american track biases if you need them. The betting public rarely takes this into account. If you have any biases that stand out or are personal favorites, PLEASE let me know. I sometimes second guess myself when I figure these kind of things out on my own instead of getting some reinforcement. Monday at DelMar 8th race the delmarderby at 1 1/8 mile on turf. A turf course that has been mostly favoring come from behind closers. Bobby Frankel is sending HIGH LIMIT across the country with jockey Edgar Prado to attempt to wire the field. Seems stupid to me but I guess you gotta run em to find out. It seems easier to stay back east and pick a spot somewhere else. He is by no means the favorite in this race but will draw action because of the high profile jockey/trainer combo and the fact Edgar skips the last day of the Saratoga meet to fly cross country. He'll have to beat me. I'll try a closer/stalker like #2 OSIDY #3 EL ROBLAR or #10 SHAMOAN. Probably lean towards OSIDY. The race should go about 10:35 am Tuesday morning for you.

I hate to be long winded all the time but these things take an explanation.

Thanks for the Aussie welcome, mate and keep an eye out for my brother moving to Perth next week.