Has anyone else ever looked at the sectional times in detail?

The reason I ask is because of the recorded information differences between sectionals and the 600m race time given in the official results. I am not just talking about a small variance but differences of sometimes well over 1sec (This is over 6Lens).

For example take ANAPINE who won yesterday at Rosehill. Look at the information provide on its last start at Randwick R4. The last 600m for the race was listed at 34.33sec in the results, and ANAPINE lead all the way. Therefore you would expect its last 600 in the sectionals to be around 34.3secs. But when you open the sectionals you see the 600 sectional of 35.7secs. When you listen to the race it seems the sectional of 35.7secs is closer to the money.

This is just one example of many and its not just Randwick. Just have a look for yourself on the ajc site or any other.

Can anyone shed some light on what is going on and which information can we trust if any? This is very frustrating when trying to do sectional analysis.

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Regards,
Pete

G'day Pete,

Sportscolour has Anapine leading and has its last 600m as 35.7 and the races last 600m as 35.7.

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Good luck and good punting.

And remember a profit a day keeps the Girlfriend/Wife away.

If you do a bit of a search you will find some stuff on sectionals in Just Racing. The site is right into it.

Problems I see with sectionals is they are more likely to be of merit on small US dirt tracks where the sectionals are vital info. for serious handicapping [a bit like the dogs here]. Aust tracks offer up many different times even for the same tracks in same condt. due to minor differences in surface condt. and rail movements etc. You often see records being broken in very average class races, just due to condt. on the day.

I try to take an average from several runs for sectionals and distance times for any runner.

Thanks TESTAROSSA - I use Sportscolour myself to obtain sectional information but when you compare this to the official result either from AJC or racingnsw the 600time is 34.33secs.
When I first noticed the differences between sectional and official times some 6months ago I assumed the official times were best to use but I don't think this is the case anymore. I believe the sectional are best guide but what I can't believe is the official results could be so wrong.

I have also asked AJC the question a while ago but got not useful response.

__________________
Regards,
Pete

Thanks Crash - I use sectional 600's to graph pace of race versus last 600. I have heard a lot of people say that this method only works on dirt tracks but I believe it can be used on grass tracks.

You need to keep detailed daily variances and have good track variance data and gradients to have any success doing it. I have slowly developed my method since 1997 and I am happy with the results to date.

It is obviously very dependent on correct data hence my dilema with the sectional/official times.

__________________
Regards,
Pete

Sectionals are very helpful in seeing why a horse performed the way it did. They are not the 'golden goose' but I believe they are vital information in assisting your form/handicapping/rating.


cheers
umrum