Back in the 70's there existed the Sporting Globe. We (a Band, and a bunch of drunks) had a mate who poured over the the photo shots of hourses @ the 400 and at the finish. He tried to pick the improver!!!!!!

He was well known for getting horses at decent odds.

One day he NOMITATED a horse.

Out we went. Sandown over 25400 metres or thereabouts. It opened @ 100/1. So there we were, two greyhound owners and trainers, andf a couple of drunk band members, and the odd shrewd punter. We unloaded. ************ thing got hammered in the first 200 metres (down the straight), trapped wide all the way, got poleaxed on the turn and fought on to run third. If that nag had have saluted, there would have been new owners of the suburb called Highett in Melbourne.

I learned very quickly that it is most important to check out a horse that is say 3rd or 4th up, and its runs have been over say 1200 then 1400 then 1600 then ....... A horse that is getting FITTER and has reached it's peak conditioning. Forget "read" form (ie: the form guides) if you can "see" the training pattern.

I full agree Butters but some trainers have such good facilities that they can get a horse super fit and not trial or have these warm up races,,,,A trainer down the road has a track thats better than Doomben and has propper barriers...Mrs Bellatorie at Grafton the other day was a perfect example..hadn't started for a year ..Jumped poorly but flew home for third at huge odds..should have won by lengths..

Would have been a few tired nags at the end of that race.