View Single Post
  #2  
Old 21st April 2015, 05:45 PM
Rinconpaul Rinconpaul is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 755
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by dcpg
I was watching the races today and a few outsiders in small fields (ie 8 or less horses) ended up winning. I usually ignore races like these. But I remember hearing Richard Freedman mention that it happens frequently...

I was wondering what the stats are like for these type of races if anyone has them. At Port Macquarie, race 6 the 100 rating won - even if it was the outsider. At Mornington, race 8, the 94 rating won (second worse horse) - and it was the clear outsider.


In a sense, Freedman is correct, but not telling the whole story? The smaller the field, the strike rate of the outsider will always be higher. It's not that you've stumbled across an edge or anything, it's just that the less horses to beat, the higher the percentage of win rate. The price of the outsider/longshot usually reflects that though, unless it's an absolute 'donkey' with no hope at all.

The more important factor to consider is the price of the favourites in a small field. Sometimes punters Focus and plough too much money into the first three and ignore the outsiders....to their detriment, as some of these outsiders can end up a value bet. The best place to cash in on this, is the Harness/Dogs, but only if you're an expert on form. Lightly traded Dog and Harness races often see a big bet placed on a particular selection by connections, then the sheep stampede to get on this 'sure thing' with little else wagered on the rest, pushing their prices out.

Similarly big fields of novice two year olds. The few with any form at all, tend to attract the punters money, as what else will the AAP computers be able to rate? Then along comes a longshot smokie, with only barrier trial form, and wins.
Reply With Quote