Although there is a good case to be made out for the importance of "ability at the course", there are critics who claim that punters often overemphasise its importance.

I don't put myself into the critical category though I do subscribe to the cautionary warning that we shouldn't go overboard when assessing course ability's importance. It's a matter of keeping a clear head and not being swayed too much.


Many horses do prefer certain tracks. No-one really knows why they do, but it's a fact. Perhaps some tracks suit big-striders, other tracks are more conducive to good runs from smaller horses. Some tracks have long, sweeping bends, others are tight with a short run from the home turn to the finishing post.

Whatever your views, I'm sure you'll agree with me that there is something rather comforting about backing a horse that you know for a fact has done well at the track before. It may be a fool's gold feeling, but I like it!

I've found a few systems that I want to share with you regarding course specialists. They have been performing well, and my feeling is that they'll stand the test of time.

THE 100% SPECIALIST

  1. Operate on any tracks, but preferably city tracks on Saturdays and public holidays.
  2. The only horses to be considered are those that have a 100 per cent place record at the track from four or more starts.

THE C & D ACE

  1. Operate on any tracks, though strong provincial and city meetings are recommended.
  2. Tick off any runner which has won at the course over the distance.
  3. Eliminate any qualifier which has not won twice or more at the distance at any track.
  4. If a tie between two qualifiers, back the one with the lowest last start form figure.
  5. If three or more qualifiers, pass the race.

THE PLACE BET PLAN

  1. Operate on city tracks midweek and on Saturdays and public holidays.
  2. Consider only those runners who are last-start winners.
  3. Once you have these qualifiers, tick off any which have been placed (1st, 2nd or 3rd) at least four times at the track.
  4. If there is just one qualifier, it is the bet.
  5. If two qualifiers, back both.
  6. If three or more qualifiers, pass the race.

SUPER WIN PLAN

  1. Operate on any tracks, though city tracks preferred.
  2. The only runners to be considered are those that have been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd at their last five starts.
  3. To be considered further, a qualifier must have at least two wins on the track.
  4. If one qualifier, it becomes the bet.
  5. If a tie, take the horse with the most wins.
  6. If still a tie, back both.
  7. If three or more qualifiers, pass the race.

THE HIGH PERCENTAGE PLAN

  1. Operate on any tracks, through city tracks preferred.
  2. Consider only those runners with a win strike of 40 per cent or more.
  3. Of the qualifiers, consider only those which have won at the track.
  4. The selection is the horse with the MOST wins.
  5. If a tie, back the horse with the most wins, or back both.

THE TRAINERS PLAN

  1. Operate at city tracks on Saturdays and midweek, plus public holidays.
  2. At the track where you are operating, mark down the two top trainers.
  3. Check all their runners and tick them off.
  4. Any of these runners which are winners at the track are backed provided they had their last start within the previous 21 days and finished 7th or better last start.
  5. Any runner with three or more wins at the track from the chosen stables is backed for a double-unit investment.

THE DISTANCE KILLERS PLAN

  1. Operate on any tracks, but city tracks preferred.
  2. In each race on which you wish to bet, tick off all runners who have won at least twice over the distance of the current race.
  3. Check to see if any of these qualifiers are winners at the course.
  4. Of these qualifiers, eliminate any at 7/2 or longer.
  5. Back the qualifiers that are left.

THE MARATHON PLAN

  1. Operate only on city tracks.
  2. Consider only those races at 2400m to 2800m.
  3. Consider only last-start winners.
  4. If any of these qualifiers are winners at the track they become a bet.
  5. If two or more qualifiers, back all if prices permit.

I hope these systems will give your betting a bit of an excitement boost. They all take into consideration the "course specialist" impact value.

Click here to read Part 1.

By Richard Hartley Jr.

PRACTICAL PUNTING - JUNE 2002