Quote:
Originally Posted by steveb
using time margin as an alternative....
for example AWT 1200 seventh averages .845 seconds slower than winner
and the median for same is .8
but again it should demonstrate that as distance increase then margins don't necessarily.
well it does show it a little more over longer trips and not so good finish possie, where they are probably compounding/weakening when they can't get the trip.
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Interesting Steve , had a quick shifty at my data for the UK and looked at all UK Flat Turf tracks. I limited it to Handicaps (tighter range of ability) and bucketed them by distance ranges eg 5f & less than 6f (we have some odd distances at some tracks - eg Newbury 5f 34yards)- I also limited it to >= 8 runner races and used 3yo and upwards.
These are average time margins of 2nd place finishers , medians would be lower due to frequency of tighter finishes but seems to show margins increase(at least here) as distances increase , possibly due to the relatively slower early pace. Obviously this covers a wide range of different type tracks (galloping to sharp/tight) and goings (firm to heavy)
The Official BHA Handicappers here use a lengths per second scale ranging from 6 per second on Firm to Good , 5.5 Good To Soft and 5 Soft or Heavy although having studied their published times online i have found them to vary , sometimes considerably in the scheme of things from as low as 0.14 to 0.25.
