I am told that over time there is no difference in returns between the actual SP fav. and the pre-post fav, (providing the same publication is used permanently) I am intrigued by this as the SP fav by definition is the shortest priced starter, whereas many pre-post favs win at longer odds, personally I use WA TAB-FORM pre-post prices (bcoz its easy) but I am told that SMH and especially the Radio prices show better results, can anyone help here?

Seems like a myth to me.
"providing the same publication is used permanently". Again seems like a myth. If all the publications are meant to be just as good or bad as each other, because you end up with exactly the same results from them - hmm????, then this point is statistically irrelevant - it doesn't matter what publication you use!!

Mr. Logic, the point here was that different publications produce different pre-post favs in many cases. In other words if for the purpose of the comparison i.e. SP FAV Versus Pre-post FAV, you were to chop and change the publications used then a distorted result could be forthcoming, though in total one publication could very well be ahead of another. i.e. EG. maybe SMH pre-post favs, could be a better guide than WA TAB -FORM (overall, or say limited to Saturday Metro only , all states)) This would be an interesting comparison on its own but my real interest is the comparison between SP (actual fav) V the success of the Pre-post fav.
I don't see where the Myth comes in, though I don't know the answer, thats why I posted the original post.
If anyone can help with answer it will be gratefully received.

partypooper,

i think you will find most publications have most pre-post favourites the same...only in very open markets do they differ a little....
cheers, noel

Thanks for the feedback Noel, but there does appear too be significant discrepecies, eg. Friday 25/4/03, Randwick Pre-post favs as follows (WA TAB-FORM)SR1-7, SR2-2, SR3-1 (Hassle $9.80 Winner)SR4-3, SR5-5, SR6-3 (Corporate Queen Winner $8.60) SR7-4, SR8-3.
I'm not saying that this is typical, I just wonder if it different from Eastern States Publications???? But all I am saying is that for the purpose of comparison to SP favs, (overall) you would have to use the SAME publication, though I concede it probably doesn't matter WHICH one.

The pre-post prices listed in form guides 24 hours before a race day are often wrong. A better guide that I often use is the tipsters panel in these papers. If you allocate 3,2 and 1 points to their first, second and third selections then you generally end up with a better approximation of the eventual SP. A possible reason is that the tipsters are a better reflection of market opinion than the individual who frames the pre-post.

Thanks rainlover, though that contradicts what Mr Logic was saying that there is little or no difference between the actual sp fav and the pre-post fav (from any source)
An interesting point yours, though My main interest is in how one stacks up against the other. In simple terms, say a 1$ win bet on all Metro SP favs,(5 states, Sat. only))in the last 12 months, compared to a 1$ win bet on all the pre-post favs. say from SMH.???