I was recently analysing some results and in the sample I came across an above average win strike rate group of horses. They were all lightly raced (<= 4 starts) resuming from a spell. Why is a horse spelled after only a few starts? More education, recover from injury, more growing up, who knows, but they win more than their fare share of races, upon return from that spell.

Do yourself a favour and research it, there are some profitable niches.

Are you saying that's the niche or there's a niche somewhere inside those horses?

__________________
Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”

― Earl Nightingale

niche...a distinct segment within a market

a "good" horse may be spelled after a few starts because the connections think that they are on to a "winner".

They believe that they can re-assess its career and achieve greater prizemoney in the future.
If it has very good performances in minor races early in its racing life, the connections will tend to place the horse in greater PM races upon returning.
If one can pin point these horses, with a return in a race which it is regaining fitness in the same class which it won earlier on. Bingo.

Often a horse that shows some ability will be spelled shortly thereafter just so it had some experience and can grow some muscle and cartilage, and when it returns, not be so green. In other cases, there may be heat or shin soreness, so put it out and let it grow. And if it's being distracted, and not a superstar. they geld it in the hopes it will settle down and and return without the hormones. Also they grow massively in stature post gelding. (young horses that is).
But of course lack a little something else

__________________
RaceCensus - powerful system testing software.
Now with over 409,000 Metropolitan, Provincial and Country races!
http://www.propun.com.au/horse_raci...ng_systems.html
*RaceCensus now updated to 31/10/2024
Video overview of RaceCensus here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W821YP_b0Pg