"I accept your definition of making a profit over time, but raise the question of how you can possibly put a price on the years it took you to amass the knowledge to even come close to making a 'real' system that makes a profit over time."

in that learning period, (which never ends) a lot of time and some money was thrown at ideas that didnt work out...nothing ventured, nothing gained. Months and months spent dry running methods..no computers back then...

You are correct..I cant put a price on that..nor my time every Saturday and travel to a metropolitan course every race day, and public holiday, for many years.... When I moved overseas, my methods were instantly unworkable to usable for me, and the biggest thrill for me was being able to claim some of my life back..namely all the Saturdays! What a relief to not have to work Saturdays nor arrange my life and family around public holidays..

I used other people's knowledge rather than just my own. (Anyone who doesnt do their own form but uses other peoples ratings is in same catagory.). I still maintain that one does not have to be a form expert to win at racing. Luckily for me, there are some great form analysists out there, so I dont have to get too involved in that arena. The methods I use today are nothing special..use someone elses ratings and filter them, selecting horses which appear to represent greater than average value for money..

One does have to have nerves of steel and discipline though, and it is these which are usually the undoing..

You are under no illusion that your system will change over time..
While my original plan appears to still work twenty five years on, changing circumstances has forced modification.

However, my tastes have changed also.. I'm seeking less action these days, so I intend to introduce further restrictions to arrive at less bets. I introduced Brisbane into my betting a few months ago, to spread my risk, but now I realise that I dont really want the extra workload.

To me, the primary objectives in developing a new system should include

1. Objectivity... black and white criteria..not open to interpretaion.

2.Simplicity....cant stress that one enough.. a system is only as good as the ability of operator to ensure accuracy in selecting. The simpler it is the less chance of errors. and the more enjoyable it can be. With so many race meetings today...this perhaps more important today than ever before.

3. Choosing materials and resources that appear to be here for the long haul, to minimise the incidents of change..