Hi Tam,
You may find this of interest. It is what I call "Frames" because it frames trifecta standouts against a field of prices. I sometimes use it for my social betting at the pub on Saturday nights.

There are many frames depending on the number of runners you include in your frame and the amount of money you want to bet. Not being a real punter I use only 6 standouts for $6 at half unit bet ($3). You don't have to use a set frame but at least you know how much your ticket is going to cost.

The frames work this way. Use small fields - dogs are good. You see a set of prices, select 4 runners and then match a frame against the field of prices.

As an example of a trifecta bet take the following 4 runners which may be from a field of 8 runners -

A $1.80
B $4.30
C $6.10
D $9.70

I might use one of the following 3 Frames for my 6 standouts bet -
The 'x' denotes a selectected finishing position 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Frame 1
1 2 3 (Position number)
A x
B x x
C x x
D x x

Frame 2
1 2 3 (Position number)
A x x
B x x
C x x
D x

Frame 3
1 2 3 (Position number)
A x x
B x x
C x x
D x

I normally have the frame patterns on a piece of paper. You still have to pick the runners of course but it is a cheaper way of doing trifectas than boxing all 4 (which is $24 for a ful bet).

Sorry Tam, the formatting did no present the frames proerly. Here they are again without the runner references A, B, C and D.

Frame 1
1 2 3
x - -
- x x
- x x
- x x

Frame 2
1 2 3
x x -
x x -
- x x
- - x

Frame 3
x x -
x - x
x - x
- x -

You starting to confuse the poor lad.

If you're still learning - start off with $1 each way bets. After a few wins, increase your bets to $2.50 e/w. After a few weeks, start betting $5 e/w. Then when you're really confident start betting for win only.

From there, you can work your way into trifectas/quinellas/doubles etc....

Trend

As a matter of interest, over what time frame did you analyse the placegetters to achieve the statistical results you posted?

Was the analysis restricted to metro or country tracks or both?

Were rain affected tracks taken into account?

Privateer

WOW - what a response. Thanks a ton troops - certainly heaps of info to work on.

Placegetter - I was particularly interested that after experimenting you finally opted for place betting - might be a more conservative way for me to start betting also (learning from YOUR experience - rather than reinventing the wheel).

Regards to all...

tam..my advice is stick to races of quality ie. group races,carnival times,the pools allow you to include favoured horses without you having to accept poor divs,i have stuck to this maxim and have had some very large collects,good luck