One of the most talked-about topics in the last few years has been track bias - whether it exists, if so when, moving the false rail BLA BLA BLA.
I think its about time we used a bit of technology to help the punter.
As I understand it (per a RadioTAB interview with the Doomben track manager-Warren Williams??) penetrometer readings are taken at the rail, then 2m out , then 4m out(I could be wrong about the metres but the theory doesn't matter)ever 400m or so around the circumstance of the track.They then take an average of all these readings to determine a reading for the track.
To me this is the same thing as saying that " on average all horses are bays"!
Given that the track officials have recorded all the readings around the track wouldn't it be feasible to generate a (say) colour-generated image showing the penetrometer readings at various points(at each width out from the rail) on the circuit.
Whether or not this would embarass or vindicate some track managers is irrelevant I think this info. on the various tracks web-sites would be welcomed by punters.

Good idea. Unfortunately inconsistencies would likely be viewed by officials as some sort of admission of bias or unfair running surface, and they're not about to help anyone reach that conclusion.




[ This Message was edited by: shoto on 2004-03-12 09:52 ]

Iwas having a look at one of the english sites the other night (cant remember which one ) but the track condition was given out for differnt parts of the course ie yielding ..soft in back straight etc..but the colour coded idea sounds good for computer and sky users