As a relative newbie to all this malarky i have understandably been doing a fair amount of reading/researching from multiple sources. That said i recently discovered an interesting "fact" - i use the term liberally as i have no confirmation - that approx 80% of the time the winner can usually be found within the top four of the TAB market.
Is this accurate?
If so, how would a fella such as myself go about utilising this information to best advantage?

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

i'd be surprised if the percent is that high. more like 50% probably about 80% in tabs 1 - 8 but havent looked it up.
looks easy doesnt it.
but that takes in all races so you will be very busy if you follow that thinking.

the best is to find a method that doesnt overwork you and gives you some pleasure having a bet.
statistical systems are okay but can be a lot of work and of course faith.

__________________
laurie

I hear ya topsy - pity.

You'd think those miserable Nags would get up and win for a fella though - wouldn't ya?

Very inconsiderate

Here's a few extra proven statistics for you iamcool:

- The Top 4 favourites win 80% of races (as said before)
- The Top 6 TAB runners 68% of races
- Those horses who have finished 4th or better in their last start win 62% of races
- Those horses who have finished 1st or 2nd in at least 1 of last 2 starts win 60% of races

Some interesting facts to play around with

Thanks for the feedback Chuck,

With those sorta strike rates you should or more specifically it would be feasible to conjur up some interesting exotics with a reasonable degree of success.

i have used them like that for profits.....i usually find races where 3 or 4 horses qualify through all four statitics and box them in exotics. I generally only play races where every horse has had at least two runs. Look for previous form when horses are resuming from spells. The qualifiers for this Saturday are:

Randwick Race 1: 1,2,5,6
Cheltenham Race 1: 2,3,4
Cheltenham Race 5: 1,4,5

Chuck, I ran some database queries of my own, coming up with the following:

Top 4 favs: 73.3%
Top 6 TAB #'s: 67.1%
1st to 4th Last Start: 70%
1st or 2nd Last Start: 46.8%
1st or 2nd Second Last Start: 43.1%

The first three criteria are combined (Top 4 favs; Top 6 Tab #'s & 1st to 4th Last Start) results in a strike-rate of 44.8% & s loss on turnover of 16.9%.

Sobering.

Stats based on Saturday metro eastern states meetings only.