I am enquiring about the apprentice allowance

As all my systems are newspaper based, I am wondering what to do when an apprentice is riding. I have never taken this into account before...but
My reason is one particular (new) system relies on 2k difference from last start
Yesterday at Rosehill R4-6 Flying Alpha, is in paper at 55k with a (a2)
Do I take off the 2 making it 53k? or is it already off.
Last start (20th may) 51.5 (a)
Where as the system today had Tamworth R5-1 57k (a)
Last start 57.5 (no a)

Hello feather
i think it is safe to assume that anything listed in the paper for todays race is the handicap weight before any allowances
i think it is also safe to assume that anything listed in your paper for past races is the weight the horse actually carried
R.Gort

Hi Feather,

Gort is correct regarding printed weight. It does not include allowances.

I'd be very wary of subtracting jockey allowances. There are times they will make a difference, but many more times they wont [lack of experience often cancels the weight advantage]. It all depends on what horse they are on [leader, mid-pacer, backmarker] and the track, field size, track condt. and distance.

All a bit iffy, but as a general rule without going into all of the above for every horse that your system throws up with an apprentice, I'd ignore the claim for a 3kg apprentice, deduct the claim for anything LESS than a 3kg claim [enough experience to make a difference] and ignore the runner if a 4kg apprentice is on board [green as grass].

But then there is always the exception, or the fluke --- the young Beadman got a winner and a third from three rides at Kembla on Saturday!

Young Beadman is being VERY well looked after [a very well connected Dad:-) ]. Good horses [easy to ride and rate, on-pacers mostly] from good trainers. Makes a heck of a difference. It's a bit different for most apprentices that have to start at the rubbish end of the horse paddock.

Yes, Crash, appreciate that. Though one report said that he had to go to the meets now in the horse float rather than in a Beamer!!