Why Holiday Magic and Graylyn Ruby?

Question: If selections are based upon your speed figures how do we end up with Holiday Magic and Graylyn Ruby as selections?

Selections emailed to subscribers the afternoon of 17th September 2014

Answer: As the heading they appear under suggests, the selection process also considers class and some visual assistance.

Although I choose speed as my weapon of choice you have to consider that a horse will only show its optimum speed when meeting its ideal conditions. My view is, this is not so much trip orientated (within a furlong or so) but more importantly pace. In higher class races a horse may find the pace uncomfortable and be unable to mount anything of a challenge in the closing stages. In lesser company, the horse is likely to be able to hold more in reserve. Equally a better class horse may struggle in races in lower class with a slow pace where it has been unable to utilise its higher cruising speed. Speed Figures help to decipher under what circumstances a horse is likely to produce its best.

In the case of Holiday Magic, there was no doubt that it was comfortable in this company as its LTO win suggested. This was confirmed by its previous run when bumped during its run going down by only ¾ length.

Graylyn Ruby had equally good credentials on the Speed and Class criteria, but the margin between itself and its rivals was not sufficient to warrant a selection. None the less, under Trip Handicap which is decided on its visual performance (Eye Catcher), the smooth headway made mid race over a similar trip at Lingfield Park last time on the surface looked far superior to its nearest rivals Oakbank and Dr Finley.

These selections might not rank among the bigger priced winning selections: Burn Sugar 22-1, Spiritual Star 12-1 Sweeping Up 10-1 and Prince Bishop 9-1 among others during September but I can only highlight the potential winners. Bookmakers decide the prices ;)