Here's a simple plan put together from elements taken from various posts to this forum. Thought I should give something back to the generous and intelligent contributors here...

Rules

1. No heavy tracks.
2. Races with 9-13 runners before scratchings.
3. TABs 1-4 only.
4. Barriers 1-3 only.
5. Rated 93-98 on the TABQ website.
6. Ran fifth or better last start.
7. Back all qualifiers except where a runner 1-4 with barrier 1-3 is rated 99 or 100 on the TABQ = pass the race.

Basically we are looking for runners numbered 1 to 4 starting from barriers 1 to 3, and then we filter using data readily available at a glance on the TABQ webpage, namely the ratings and last start.

As a rule you will find that runners rated 93+ who ran fifth or better last start are real contenders in a race. This combines two solid stats: 80%+ winners are rated over 93 and 80%+ winners ran fifth or better. I use this as a regular first step when looking at a race: 93+ and fifth or better will give you a short list of real prospects in any race. If there are too many of them, pass the race.

We eliminate runners rated 99 or 100 in order to place selections in a better value band. Eliminating the 99s and 100s takes out most short priced favourites. The punters and the ratings are often spot on, but there's no value in that. We not only don't bet on such runners, we avoid such races. They'll often win, but not profitable.


We avoid heavy tracks for obvious reasons, given the importance of barrier in this scheme.

This plan is designed for a set-and-forget approach. A fair volume of bets. Lots of surprises. Fun and you don't need to know a whole lot about horses. But hopefully it spins a reasonable POT.

As with other plans, though, a bit of judicious staking will improve results. You can bet mechanically across the board but better to use some judgement in each case. Some selections are worth an each way bet, for example. Some - long shots - might be better as a place bet.

I think plans like this should be seen as simple "selection generators". As with commercial subscriber plans it gives you a range of selections to consider - you can then pass them or bet them according to your judgement. I use the Radio TAB tips at the top of the same web page. If a selection is a Radio TAB tip, I'm definitely in. Otherwise I look closer.

Better results are always achieved by waiting for prices at jump and looking for value, but then it requires a big imput of time and attention. We're looking for starters over about $5 and runners over about $14 rarely get up.

Works OK for me in small samples and real-life tests. Fast, interesting, profitable - but with some nasty runs of outs, of course. Does anyone have the capacity to test it over a large sample of past results? Any suggestions to improve it?

Many thanks for the stimulating contributions in this forum. Happy punting.

Hermes