Leader Bias NOT fast lanes.

Bonfield wrote: Straight arrow wrote: The problem I see these gurus that rate themselves as track speacilists? Have u ever seen them walk the whole track or distance there horse is running? Because my thinking is that if there was an advantage,? The race is not won in the straight!! It's getting to the best ground for all the race!! And I have seen lots of trackers were the rail in the back is no good . But fair in the straight Absolutely.

So sit 4 wide or stick to the outside against the fence 1600 from home because the going is better....

Walking the entire track is a waste of time, you are not driving a car you are riding a horse.

Paul Hogan wrote: Carioca wrote: I would expect all leaders to be on the fence when leading be it true or 10m out unless the want to sit in the "death seat", most times I feel the term " the rail is hot" is when winners keep on winning by getting rails runs as against coming down 4off the fence or further out, I'm also in agreeance re grass length, watching the horses around at the barriers you get to see how far attendants boots sink into the grass as well as officials , you would be surprised how deep they sink at times, if I can't see their boots imo it will give you a leader or on pace bias , that is until track levels out or it becomes more even , may sound silly to most but ch.528 is best vision as rac. com has the graphics covering the bottom of picture , funny how the term " track bias " reared its head after Mr Dermott Weld took vintage crop home in the early 90s. From my recollection of that day Vintage Crop got track conditions to suit, not track bias. The Melbourne Cup is generally not a race that fits into the track bias mode entirely. Probably due to distance and temp over the distance.

The first thing Weld whinged about when he arrived was the firmness of the track, so much so track curator increased irrigation and the locals were not happy ( that much I do remember) to offset this I reckon the length of grass was increased to add more cushion to keep all parties happy , I'm a firm believer that the length of grass over a sprint and up to a mile can help a front runner and hinder a backmarker at least until the track sorts itself out, vintage crop was not helped by bias just that the word sprung up around that time, they are racing much tighter now as at times the weight spread is thin and the leader is being choked, in my youth on a 44kg min. they would go like scalded cats even more so when a 3kg boy got the ride and the horse carried 41kg , times have changed in more ways than one.

Spinner ? Makes perfect sense! It's why straight racing is not popular with punters / trainers/ tipsters. It confuses jockeys mostly ridding around bends! There is always a change of speed at different times then corner races.

99.9% of oz races are run around a bend. Jockeys have something to aim for. So it's a bit basic all the time . Go steady until turn and let them go! Of course different tracks have different lengths straight. And distance comes into play. But at Flemington? Beleave it or not even our best get sucked into false speed or to early ,? Mayb even to late. But they are not savvy to straight track racing! My thoughts only

Shrunk in the Wash wrote: Look, I agree with all that has been written but there are times when absolute donkeys run along at incomprehensible sectionals and hold on to win after failing to show that trait previously Budggered if I know the reason why but it happens

Some leaders today seemed to get a sling shot into the straight at Sandown.

Maybe so, however a couple of front-running riders really pulled the pants down on their rivals today.

Are you agreeing or taking the p*ss?

I agree with the consensus that leader bias does not exist.

However fast lanes do occur!

I remember a Mackinnon stakes where Desert War won by about four lengths, and on that day if you were back and had to come more than two horses of the fence you might as well have stayed back in the stables.