I always take into consideration the clear top weight in a race. Then I sometimes lay, sometimes back, or just ignore.

IMO the filters above are too restrictive. I consider all local meetings. Performance at the track rather than track & distance. And first-up record, if resuming.

Got a few winners Saturday including Redkirk Warrior, Morendi Hang, Sidetrip, Battle Hero, Spurcraft, Tisani Tomso, Choice Bro & Iconoclast

sounds reasonable starraft & it looks like it's working for you

Yep

Hi STARRAFT.

Negative for me when they're drawn wide
A positive when ridden by claiming apprentice in form, or with some previous good results on the same horse

Like all these 1 horse a race systems .

Long term they only lead one to the poorhouse.

Best horse in the race according to the handicapper, so yes, consider. However, the top-weight in a handicap is at a disadvantage, giving away weight. You need to consider the field strength. Just how disadvantaged is the horse relative to the field strength.

True also.

Interestingly it was Warren Block who researched this factor and he was a non Bettor.

Yep, already do this. Thanks.

So you really don't want additional disadvantages. For the top-weight, also consider jockey pros & cons, suitability of race distance, barrier draw & likely speed map against the top-weights normal racing style.

Did play around with Top Weights some time back. Mainly multiple betting. Had a number of filters, but best results came when restricting to those in the first four lines of the prepost market.