The start of the flat season is only a couple of weeks away now. It is a strange time; a kind of limbo where I just want to see the first declarations for the Brocklesby and eagerly scan a list of new horse names, the juveniles of 2009. It is the beginning of a long season and that's why I have a laid back approach. It is important to enjoy the racing and try not get too caught up with the highs and lows of betting.
The basis to any success, I believe, is consistency. That is why I always rattle on about the need to have an answer to a question - especially when it comes to betting. It's too easy to have some kind of knee-jerk reaction and find you have kicked out your own teeth. I try to spend most of my time reviewing the two-year-old races to get a feel for the form and individuals. Some races don't take much time to assess, while others take an age and it's simply a matter of wait and see.
I have ordered the Horses In Training 2009 publication. It helps to gain an idea of juvenile numbers for each trainer. There are also a few owners I look out for. Some are very selective and from what I have seen over the years if they actually train a juvenile to the point of it racing, they are very likely to have ability such is their selectivity.
As I have said before, our season at H.C.E is always slow to start. I generally find it takes a few weeks for the trainers to gain some idea of what they have in the two-year-old ranks let alone the enthusiast watching at home, bookmakers or course. There isn't any rush. Generally the early juveniles with a glimmer of form (4th, 5th & 6th placings etc) are often forced favourites on their next start and disappoint.
I am more interested in a select number of trainers who I know year on year have a decent string of two-year-olds. There are a number of trainers who, for what ever reason, simply never train two-year-old winners. Most are capable if they are lucky enough to handle a talented juvenile. I always smile at the thought of a small trainer finding a gem. What a wonderful feeling that must be. On a personal note, it was lovely to see Pam Sly attain such goals with Speciosa as she trains in the small town of Thorney, which is in the Fens, near to where I live. I can't help but side with the underdog.
Another book well worth its money is Steve Taplin's Two Years Olds of 2009. The trainer comments are always worth a look and although you can't bank on every positive comment being realised, all of these aspects help to build a bigger picture.
The basis to any success, I believe, is consistency. That is why I always rattle on about the need to have an answer to a question - especially when it comes to betting. It's too easy to have some kind of knee-jerk reaction and find you have kicked out your own teeth. I try to spend most of my time reviewing the two-year-old races to get a feel for the form and individuals. Some races don't take much time to assess, while others take an age and it's simply a matter of wait and see.
I have ordered the Horses In Training 2009 publication. It helps to gain an idea of juvenile numbers for each trainer. There are also a few owners I look out for. Some are very selective and from what I have seen over the years if they actually train a juvenile to the point of it racing, they are very likely to have ability such is their selectivity.
As I have said before, our season at H.C.E is always slow to start. I generally find it takes a few weeks for the trainers to gain some idea of what they have in the two-year-old ranks let alone the enthusiast watching at home, bookmakers or course. There isn't any rush. Generally the early juveniles with a glimmer of form (4th, 5th & 6th placings etc) are often forced favourites on their next start and disappoint.
I am more interested in a select number of trainers who I know year on year have a decent string of two-year-olds. There are a number of trainers who, for what ever reason, simply never train two-year-old winners. Most are capable if they are lucky enough to handle a talented juvenile. I always smile at the thought of a small trainer finding a gem. What a wonderful feeling that must be. On a personal note, it was lovely to see Pam Sly attain such goals with Speciosa as she trains in the small town of Thorney, which is in the Fens, near to where I live. I can't help but side with the underdog.
Another book well worth its money is Steve Taplin's Two Years Olds of 2009. The trainer comments are always worth a look and although you can't bank on every positive comment being realised, all of these aspects help to build a bigger picture.
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