Formbooks and calculators !!

intheknow

Heavy ground/soft ground/top weight/handicaps etc ? These are not worth anything if the jockey/stable/owner/trainer is not really trying. i have seen numerous instances where the the horse was rarin to go but was held back by the jockey. Probably hoping to get a better sp in their next race if they are not placed in a few. Dont tell me It does not happen, You all know it does. I would welcome some comments...Thanks.

Morgans

It does happen. Intheknow, you can always note the horses that you have spotted not trying and back him the day the money comes for him in the market. Quids in, everyone's happy! Anyone with limited experience of punting on horse racing knows that you need to look at the market to see how much confidence is in the horse. Its an integral factor.

Lets say that three horses arent trying in a race. All connections of the three horses think that had they been trying they would have won. They expect to win when they are trying only to find one or two too good. Racing is fickle and if I owned a horse I would always strike when the iron is hot. Stopping horses when they are in good form is ridiculous.

masterK

While everybody recognises that this happens in the sport I think too many losing punters like to blame this as the reason they lose.

wb

I think a lot of the time people are talking out of their pocket when they lose, but yes I agree, it does happen, and I don't like it.
Sometimes a horse will be held up a bit, in order to get a bad result, and subsequently get less weight next time out in a handicap. While it is very annoying if you have backed the horse, if you do happen to cop this, make a note of the horse, and watch for his next race, as it may be overpriced if other people did not notice this 'tactic'.

mchurl

As a lot of people have already stated, if this does happen, it will be annoying but keep and eye out for the horse next time as more than likely he will be a longer price and more likely to win so you can make your money back + a profit.