- celinedion wrote:
- Could you explain what you mean by "handicapping system" I always thought that greyhounds were handicapped by the grade they ran in and the trap they were allocated....That's why I've always concentrated on the grade & trap....Should I really concentrate on something else?.....I have a book I bought from America about sectional timing and that the greyhound to the first bend wins lots of races...However to buy this course was like £3000 that I never had...so I ain't got it.......If I was to concentrate on dutching which of your criteria would you say was best to use...If I was to say use 3 of the 6.....Or do you say collect the data and work it out for yourself
Average Time Fastest Time Last Time Out Split First Bend Best In Grade
It is all about getting into the thinking of the grader let's take a grade 3 race for example. although it is grade 3 an handicappers job is to determine the grade within a grade to establish which dogs are in the handicappers opinion actually grade 3 material.
Trap 1 - Is a middle of the road A3 dog it wins now and again but usually finishes mid division
Trap 2 - Has won a couple of A4 races and has been upgraded
Trap 3 - Has won at A3 and been placed a number of times
Trap 4 - Has raced at A3 and won but has been finding lots of in race trouble and has been starting in Trap 2
Trap 5 - Has been downgraded from A2 and has won at A3 quite consistently
Trap 6 - Is a middle of the road A3 dog it wins now and again but usually finishes mid division
From this the handicapper could assume
Trap 1 is more likely a grade 4 dog and will need everything to go in it's favour or trouble at the 1st bend to stand a chance of winning
Trap 2 is a solid A4 grade dog & could show more improvement and be considered A3 grade
Trap 3 is an A3 grade dog and can win given the right circumstances
Trap 4 is an A3 grade dog but needs to avoid trouble to win and the change of box could be the key
Trap 5 is an A3 grade dog and can win given the right circumstances and the drop back in grade
Trap 6 is more likely a grade 4 dog and will need everything to go in it's favour or trouble at the 1st bend to stand a chance of winning