How to calculate horse racing speed ratings

One of the six smart betting systems that really work that you'll find discussed at SkyBlueKangaroo is the use of speed ratings. I've been using speed figures to positive effect ever since I came across a book on speed ratings by Andrew Beyer in the late 90s.

 

 

I've just posted an article at the blog which shows you the basic process for calculating your own speed ratings

 

As with many new processes, and if you are anything like me, calculating your first set of horse speed ratings will take you quite some time. I was forever re-reading Andrew Beyer’s instructions, and referring back and forth with my own calculations. But I soon got the hang of it, and as you might expect, with some practice you will also see for yourself the task becomes a lot easier and very much quicker.

 

....then you will have a tool at your disposal that enables you to determine the fastest horse in the race.

 

Here's the full link to the article again:

 

http://skybluekangaroo.com/blog/how-to-calculate-speed-ratings/

 

 

How to gain a betting edge: The importance of value

What's your strategy for beating the bookmakers and making money from betting on horse racing?

 

The cornerstone of my betting philosophy is the concept of seeking value, and I've just posted an article at SkyBlueKangaroo which examines the theory of value betting in detail.

 

 

There is a fool-proof way of making a profit from betting. No matter what anyone tells you, there is indeed a way to succeed... consistently back horses at prices too high compared to their actual chance of winning. Of course, implementing this strategy is far from easy, and don't let me give you the impression it is.

 

A good example, albeit in a different sport, was when William Hill offered an insane price of 200/1 about Primoz Peterka, a Slovenian ski jumper, to win the opening ski jumping World Cup competition of the 2002/03 season in Finland. This price was offered despite the fact that he’d won the qualifying competition the night before, and was clearly a jumper in form. Furthermore he’d been double world champion in previous seasons.

 

Read the article in full at SkyBlueKangaroo:

 

http://skybluekangaroo.com/tutorials/how-to-gain-a-betting-edge-the-importance-of-value/

 

 

 

 

Perfect weather for coffee!

The key to finding more winners: Specialisation

When it comes to analyzing a horse race a betting newcomer cannot be faulted for feeling a bit overwhelmed. Where on earth do you start?

 

I've found a helpful article by Michael Wilding which should serve to point you in the right direction towards not only finding more winners, but also improving your win strike rate. It is aimed at the beginner, but it never hurts for those of us who might consider ourselves experienced bettors to take a refresher course every now and then. Let me share this link with you.

 

 

In the article Michael talks about specialisation, and gives an example of sprint races at the all-weather tracks. "Now there's a thing", I thought to myself. Why?

 

Well, as it happens, one of the six betting strategies that features at my SkyBlueKangaroo horse racing and betting blog is speed ratings, and specifically the use of speed ratings at all-weather tracks

 

Here's the link to the full article at the Racing Advisor blog.

 

http://www.raceadvisor.co.uk/finding-selections-the-beginners-guide/

 

 

 

It takes 10,000 hours to be the best, and here's 15 examples

I've been reading a book called Outliers: The Story Of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. It's not specifically about betting, nor indeed horse racing. But I've learned some valuable lessons from the book, that can be translated into profitable betting systems and I've shared them at SkyBlueKangaroo

 

 

Almost without exception, the world's greatest athletes, business leaders, musicians, and entrepreneurs all share a common characteristic, and Gladwell's research has quantified this essential ingredient for achievement.

 

Natural ability is just one factor in success though. A willingness to work hard, a strong support mechanism, luck, and even being born in the right year, also each play their part.

 

You can read the article in full at SkyBlueKangaroo so please take a moment to visit:

 

http://skybluekangaroo.com/blog/why-you-shouldnt-listen-to-me/

 

Perhaps you can give some more examples of successful people who have paid the 10,000 hour price.

 

Captain Conan seizes Tolworth Hurdle in the shadow of the post

Captain Conan was a big drifter in the betting market for the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday, but went on to win at 9-1 ...just. Jockey Barry Geraghty managed to get him across the line just ahead of Colour Squadron (my choice for the race, and advised to members of the Horse Racing Trends service), who gave away valuable distance by hanging badly most of the way up the finishing straight.

 

Trends analysis shows that of the last 12 winners of this race, 11 were sent off at odds of 5/1 or less. So this result was a genuine surprise.

 

 

Captain Conan has now put himself in contention for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

 

William Hill make Captain Conan just 10-1 for the Supreme Novices', buthe is as big as 16-1 with Totesport and Betfred.

 

Read the full race report at the Racing Post

 

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/colour-squadron-barry-geraghty-captain-conan-defies-big-drift-to-win-tolworth/973366/

 

For comprehensive trends analysis on all the Graded National Hunt races each week through the season visit Horse Racing Trends

 

 

Final Review: Lay Of The Day

Hot off the virtual presses, you can read the final review of the Lay Of The Day tipping service over at LayTheOdds.com

 

 

The tipster Darren gives a one week free trial, and also operates a race ratings service.

 

The product offer was substantially tweaked on three occasions during the trial

 

I'm not really sure what to make of this review, as the tipster doesn't appear to have a consistent modus operandi as yet. I think the 'neutral' verdict is correct. In fact, perhaps 'inconclusive' would be more appropriate.

 

Read the review in full at LayTheOdds and see if you can draw any conclusions.

 

 

Ten People to Follow in 2012

Most of you will know I am a strong advocate of finding a personal mentor, or a mastermind group when looking to succeed in most walks of life.

 

At SkyBlueKangaroo this week I've posted a list of 10 smart people I think can help you improve your betting during 2012.

 

 

The list isn't intended to be definitive, so please share with other readers any other people you would recommend and like to see included in future.

 

Whilst putting this post together it made me remember what a unique network of smart, accomplished, “walk the talk” individuals I get to connect with.

 

Here's where you're can go to see the complete list:

 

http://skybluekangaroo.com/blog/ten-people-to-follow-in-2012/

 

 

 

 

The Bet Engine can test up to 10 betting systems simultaneously

The Cashmaster Blog has just posted an update to their original review of The Bet Engine software bot.

 

 

Given the superior quality of the software, it is very moderately priced, and you only pay for the level you need for your betting.

 

Whenever Betfair has had one of its little mishaps and has shifted the goalposts a little more for us, Alistair, the author, has supplied an answer within hours. There has also been a steady stream of enhancements to the filters, as suggested or requested by the users.

 

You can read the review update in full at the CashMaster blog:

 

http://www.cash-master.com/blog/the-bet-engine-tbe/

 

 

Best of SkyBlueKangaroo 2011

We’re big on tradition here at SkyBlueKangaroo. And I’m not just talking about Dad’s tired old joke where he trudges back up the stairs to the kids’ bedrooms on Christmas morning, to announce (again) that unfortunately Santa hasn’t been yet, and there’s no presents under the tree.

 

 

They haven’t bought that particular chestnut for three years!

 

Every year right before Christmas, I let you know that I’m taking the rest of the year off. Every year I tell you how much I’m looking forward to Kempton on Boxing Day.

 

And every year, without fail, I manage to slip in a “Best of SkyBlueKangaroo” post just before New Year, just in case you missed something juicy over the last 12 months.

 

Blimey! If only horse racing was as predictable as me, eh?

 

So here’s a selection of the best SkyBlueKangaroo posts from 2011 based upon your enthusiasm and my own bias for content that I think’s going to help you get what you want in 2012.

 

Please feel free to comment on, ‘Like’ or ‘Tweet’ or generally share the goodness on one, some or indeed all of these articles.

 

http://skybluekangaroo.com/blog/the-best-of-skybluekangaroo-2011/

 

 

Calgary Bay wins the VictorChandler.com Chase

Members of Horse Racing Trends enjoyed a cracking start to the new year when Calgary Bay won the VictorChandler.com Chase at Cheltenham earlier this afternoon at decent odds of 8/1.

 

 

HRT members were advised to back the Henrietta Knight horse, and also Matuhi who finished third at 20/1 because they both closely matched the trends profile of previous winners of this race.

 

A delighted Henrietta Knight said afterwards,

 

He deserved to win, he likes good ground and likes Cheltenham. He jumped so well and Dominic gave him a very good ride.

 

Read the full race report at the Racing Post:

 

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/calgary-bay-back-on-track-with-cheltenham-win/970610/latest/

 

For comprehensive race profiling, trends analysis, and horse ratings for all the Graded and Group races each week, visit HorseRacingTrends.com