Course Specialists - criteria?

[Brovashift]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me when a horse becomes considered a course specialist?

Is it the number of times raced at a course, the number of times a horse has won or placed at a course... or a combination of both?

I know you can get a good idea from looking past results, but I am making a desktop application and needing a value that is considered reasonably accurate.

TIA

[Derek27]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me when a horse becomes considered a course specialist?

Is it the number of times raced at a course, the number of times a horse has won or placed at a course... or a combination of both?

I know you can get a good idea from looking past results, but I am making a desktop application and needing a value that is considered reasonably accurate.

TIA

"Course specialist" is a subjective term that doesn't have an official definition.

Bear in mind, a horse that runs well three times at a course in good company but doesn't win may be more deserving of that title than a horse that wins three times in weak company, that he may have won at any other course.

[Brovashift]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me when a horse becomes considered a course specialist?

Is it the number of times raced at a course, the number of times a horse has won or placed at a course... or a combination of both?

I know you can get a good idea from looking past results, but I am making a desktop application and needing a value that is considered reasonably accurate.

TIA

"Course specialist" is a subjective term that doesn't have an official definition.

Bear in mind, a horse that runs well three times at a course in good company but doesn't win may be more deserving of that title than a horse that wins three times in weak company, that he may have won at any other course.

Ah right, OK thanks Derek... Ye I have seen horses sometimes, particularly AW like Wolvs, where the commentator has labbed a runner with a lot of course history as a course specialist, but in the results can see its never won there before (which was partly why I was asking the question) only to see it win for the first time in that race. So presumably eventually primed for the win...
I'll be conservative with my values for now and see how things perform. Thanks

[wearthefoxhat]

A horse that goes well at a left or right handed track is important. The horse can favour leading off a certain front leg that can make a difference.

The Jockey booking at a certain course should be weighted too, as they will know the best area/position to steer the horse.

The combination of a strong course jockey and a horse that favours a left of right handed course, would be the best approach. A quick guide for the horse would be previous Course or Course/Distance wins, but the jockey info you'd have to find from either the racing post or the attheraces website.

Attached is a list of Flat course and their variables.

[Derek27]

Don't forget to account for flat/undulating, easy/testing finishes, and galloping/tight tracks.

[firlandsfarm]

To label a horse as a 'course specialist' means you are suggesting the horse is fully conversant with why it is there, what it's task is and how to best achieve the task regardless of the instructions of the jockey!