In this special two-part series, we publish extracts from a new book on greyhound handicapping called Spots ‘N’ Blots by Peter Manti, an American form analyst. The second part of the extracts will appear in the November PPM.

FACTOR: Pass any race in which you can not find at least one dog to easily eliminate.

Comment: I will not play a race unless I have a key dog and can find at least two solid eliminations: all things being equal gives each dog a 12.5 per cent chance of winning and thus requiring two dogs to eliminate generally gives me back the track and tax takeout, levelling the field somewhat.

What constitutes “easy” or “solid” eliminations (or a key dog, for that matter) you must determine for your track and  wagering methods, but I have provided suggestions throughout.

FACTOR: The dog in the one box is a mid-track or wide runner and one of the top two in early speed.
Comment: This dog can wreck a race and, unless you have special knowledge, it is best to pass this one.

FACTOR: Best One Box

  • Dog is in the one box today.
  • Dog is an inside runner.
  • Dog has the best late speed.
  • Dog is one of the top three in average speed.

Comment: Can be used as a key. Bet to win and place.

FACTOR: The Two/Seven Wedge

  • Dog in the two box is an early speed wide runner.
  • Dog in the seven box is an early speed inside runner.

Comment: This wedge will pinch off the dogs boxed in the middle and offer a good 1/2/7/8 combination.

FACTOR: Inside Box Play

  • Dog in the three box is an early speed, wide runner and top breaker.
  • The dogs in the one and two box are inside runners.

Comment: The three dog will intimidate at least the four and five and maybe even the six and give the one and two a major advantage. Key whichever of the one or two is best (better breaker/early speed/fastest overall). The quinella will probably be the one, two, or three combinations.

FACTOR: Early Speed Boxed Wide

  • Dog has the best early speed of any in the race.
  • Dog is an inside/rail runner.
  • Dog is in the six, seven or eight box.

Comment: If in the six box, it should sweep the pack and clear the way for the seven and eight box dogs: make a quinella box of the six, seven and eight. If in the seven box, the eight box dog will be freed: play the seven and eight in the quinella and possibly as a key in other combinations and dutch to win. If in the eight box, your bet must feature the one, two, seven and eight.

FACTOR: Late Eight Play

  • Dog in the eight box is a late speed (top closer) and generally gains from the break to the 1/8 call.
  • Dog is a midtrack or wide runner.
  • Dogs in the six and seven box are inside runners and at least one of them has early speed.

Comment: The six and seven will pinch the field for the eight and give it a great advantage, no matter how poorly it may look otherwise. A 6/7/8 quinella is in order. If the seven has the best early speed and the lowest calculated odds, make it a 7/8 quinella but give consideration to the one and two as well. If the six is also the best breaker, you must consider the 1/2/6/7/8 for your quinella and/or trifecta selections.

FACTOR: Lone Double Class

  • This dog is the only one in the race that has won two or more races at a higher grade.

Comment: This one should be the outstanding dog in the race. Play to win. Works best at lower grade.

FACTOR: Favourite Had Trouble

  • Dog was the favourite (odds of 2.5-1 or less) in one of its last five races.
  • Dog did not win as the favourite and had trouble that race (fell, stumbled, collided, bumped, etc.).
  • Dog has not won nor been schooled since it was the favourite.
  • Beaten lengths in untroubled races since it was favourite must total 10 or less.

Comment: Those dogs with the least time/lengths behind the winner tend to win more often than any other dog.

** Spots ‘N’ Blots by Peter Manti.

Click here to read Part 2.

By Peter Manti

PRACTICAL PUNTING – OCTOBER 2007