I love stsems but in 30 odd years have never found one that I can win with. I truly believe that the only way you can win at the punt is to have your own stable and employ good money management. I used to get the inside info on how horses were going in a coutry stable lotsa years ago. As good a trainer as he was, he missed many times giving his family longshot winners. And no, he did not punt! So if he didn't think they could win, then they did, how the heck can we expect to pick 'em? He also gave out "certainties". Some won, some didn't. His tips were no better than the experts in the papers!

The following selection method is one I use to select a horse that I will follow for approx 5 runs. It is not a system for "one" bet only.

1)Horse must be 2nd, 3rd or 4th up without a win this preparation.
2)Must be 2nd, 3rd or 4th up.
If 2nd up, race must be up to 1200 metres.
If 3rd up, race must be up to 1600 metres.
If 4th up, race must be up to 2000 metres.
3)Must have won at the distance of todays race.
4)No more than 21 days since last run.
5)Win S/R should be around 20% and place S/R should be around 30%.
6)Age of horse between 3 y/o and 5 y/o inclusive, preferably a gelding.
7)Total number of starts:
3 y/o < 15
4 y/o < 25
5 y/o < 35


Another method I have found to pick a horse to follow is to find one that has been mentioned in the form guides as putting in an "incredible or huge run" or "made good late ground" etc. Sounds amateurish doesn't it?

To try to pick a winner without inside knowledge is beyond me I'm afraid.

Jockeys are supposedly the worst tipsters. A couple of racing callers have gone bankrupt.