100 winners, 321.52 points profit from a 31.4% strike rate since 1st January 2015 from sectional times.

As we are now just over the two month stage of producing and providing ‘sectional times’ to subscribers, I thought it would be an ideal time to do a quick analysis of the results to date, and how, at this juncture, it appears best to utilize the resource.

The two month mark also heralded the milestone of a 100 winners for the top ‘Finish’ rated horse since 1st January 2015. Although my intention is not to rely on this rating in isolation, 100 winners in just a little over 2 months, I find very exciting! As unappetising trawling through a list of horses can be The 100 winners can be viewed here.

Considering that this was from a standing start on the 1st January, simply backing the highest rated on finishing speed returned a profit, at SP of 321.52 points (539.52 points – (318 races – 100 winners) with a strike rate of 31.4% making hard to ignore the strength of that singular element.

But before we get ahead of ourselves and in to some heavier analysis, let me explain why my figures don’t conform to the usual US format in being broken down furlong for furlong.

As commendable as the efforts are to mimic an American style race card by those that are currently producing sectional times for UK racing, I can’t help but feel that they have lost sight of how UK and US racing differ. I don’t have to site a race so long ago to make my case. 6:45 Chelmsford City on Thursday 5th March is an extreme case but never the less a good example of how UK racing and US racing contrast in style.

Clamouring for US style sectional times in my humble opinion is not the way to go. Simply copying what has already been done will achieve only to be on par and I would much rather improve and tailor the information required for our style of racing.  Having sectional times for horses sat behind the pace, hard held and cantering, which fits the bill for the majority of UK racies, tells us nothing of the horse’s ability. What should be of interest to us is the general pace of the race and how horses quicken off that pace.

Over the next couple of days I will be posting analysis on the most favourable race conditions, the age groups, the pace and the courses that most favour sectional times. We will end on how 'sectional times' can improve dramatically on our ball park +400 points profit each year. There will be a few surprises ;)