October
MarchBias: use it or lose
I wish to express my astonishment at Wayne Green of Miami (26/2), who complains that he can’t get access to sectional times, as if this is the very crux of his form-reading strategy, and then throws away the line about "enduring terrible track bias on most metropolitan meetings on a Saturday".
Yes, track bias does exist. Understand it and you can tip the odds in your favour (sometimes by not backing horses that can’t win.)
All Australian racecourses have their own pattern of racing and each will suit some runners but not others — for example, we know Kavanagh’s Shocking is lengths better at Flemington than he is at Caulfield, and last Saturday More Joyous did a great job winning at Caulfield but the run of the race was Whobegotyou.
Whobe usually races back and last Saturday he finished late from his wide draw on a track that favoured those racing on the pace. He recorded some cracking sectionals, but as expected did not win. Watch him when he gets to Flemington.
For those who always seem to find track bias in Sydney and Melbourne a mystery, try Mr Google — he has some friends who seem to know all about it.
Ferntree Gully (Vic)