Hello, welcome and thank you for visiting www.greyhoundpredictor.com.
I enjoy following the "Open Race Scene" here in the United Kingdom and have over the years become a keen collector of dog racing memorabilia, mainly old greyhound programmes. In the past, I've also attended race-meetings at dog tracks in the USA and Australia.
In this article, I'll explain how to predict your own future winners by using the Greyhound Predictor v2.0 software program and will be discussing the various dog formlines and statistics required to be entered into the 'Race Predictor Stat Screen'.
Questions about The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction? Please feel free to contact me.
Greyhound Racing in the 21st Century affords 'punters worldwide' the chance to interactively bet on the dogs. This has created new opportunities, with increases in UK Super Jackpot payouts, live internet betting facilities and the ever increasingly popular number of dog racing websites, never before has 'the racegoer' experienced such a revolution in greyhound racing information and technology.
However, before downloading 'Greyhound Predictor', I firstly recommend you aquire a good informative 'daily racing newspaper' with full in-depth coverage of all today's or this evening's dog meetings, turn to the greyhound section and select a race you wish to predict!
The "Predictor" lets you predict dog races run over 3 race lengths. These include: 515 metres (563 yards), 500 metres (547 yards) and 480 metres (525 yards). When predicting a race, try selecting one run exactly over or very close to any of these race distances to obtain the best results!
Now start up Greyhound Predictor, double click the 'Crystal Ball' icon on your desktop.
If you haven't yet downloaded and installed GP Version 2.0 then you can download a free trial. * The trial version is free to try before you buy! * Please note: The full registered version will not display the start-up dialogue boxes and will not be limited to only one race per start up.
Once the 'dog race simulator' has loaded, you will be taken to the information boxes, click I agree to start the program running and press Spacebar to move through the information screens to Main Menu from here you can select Predictor, Betting, Gallery, Information or Options by using the Up/Down curzor keys on your keyboard. If you have any difficulties veiwing Greyhound Predictor, please see Support Page for further information.
The Greyhound Predictor Software Program always runs in Full Screen Mode, therefore it is not possible to flip back to internet raceform web-sites to enter the greyhound data into the Predictor, unless of course you use two monitors!
GP v2.0 offers a maximum 8 dog runners per race, by selecting the Option Menu you can alter the 'race settings' to the correct number of runners required and change any race length measurement into 'metres or yards' or to enter a dog's racing weight in either 'kilos or pounds'!
Alternatively, you can pre-set your own race settings, by finding the Configuration Utility on your computer (Start - Programs - Greyhound Predictor v2.0 - Configuration) You may set any combination of the 'racetrack settings' mentioned above as the default mode of your choice. Each time you start Greyhound Predictor both six or eight dog greyhound races run in metres or yards, kilos or pounds, will then be saved for you!
Now are you ready to start predicting greyhound races?
From the Main Menu select 'Predictor' to navigate throughout, simply highlight your answers by using the Left/Right cursor keys situated on your keyboard, when you have selected your answer press Spacebar to continue.
GP v2.0 requires you to answer 10 greyhound racing form questions for each selected runner starting with Trap 1. The first 3 questions however, always relate to each individual race set-up.
On this page, I mention famous greyhound races in the United Kingdom and their associated track venues and compare Irish and English greyhound grades with American and Australian grades. I also explain how to best use Greyhound Predictor Software to simulate a change in a dog's grade. We also list recent winners and trainers of important races and include some general information on greyhound racing speeds!
In the U.K. an 'Open Race' (greyhound raceform statistic OR) represents the highest standard of racing grades. In Ireland all 'Opens' are preceded by a prefix letter dependent on the distance of race. ie: A = Middle-Distance, S = Sprint and D = Long Distance. In America all top class contests are known as RSA's or SA's (Racing Secretaries A Class) seen at special meetings like the 'Night of the Stars'. In Australia the very best competitions are classified as 'Group Races' and are generally referred to as FFA's (Free for All's).
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 lets you predict races run at all standards of middle-distance grades!
Major Greyhound Racing Events and Race Venues:
Out of all category one Greyhound Classics held annually, the English Greyhound Derby (Wimbledon) first staged at the White City Stadium, London in 1927 - won 29/05/10 by Bandicoot Tipoki trained by Charlie Lister (unatt) - and the Irish Greyhound Derby (Shelbourne Park, Dublin) first run in 1934 - won 12/09/09 by College Causeway trained by Pat Buckley in Ireland - are respectfully still considered today, the two most important races that all uk trainers and owners want to win.
Other National "derbies" run in the British Isles include the Scottish Derby (Shawfield) - won 17/04/10 by Nambisco trained by Carly Philpott (Unatt) - first held at Carntyne, Glasgow in 1928 and the previously held Welsh Derby (Swansea) first run in 1928 at the old White City, Cardiff.
Famous British greyhound races include the English St Ledger - won 27/10/09 by Kinda Easy trained by Mark Wallis now attached to Yarmouth - originally run in 1928 at the old Wembley Stadium - and English Oaks (Wimbledon), Irish St Ledger (Limerick), Irish Cesarewitch (Mullingar), Irish Guineas, Masters (Waterford). Gold Collar - previously held since 1933 at the now demolished Catford Stadium, London - will sadly due to lack of sponserhip not be run this year at Belle Vue (Manchester). However, The Scurry Gold Cup has been saved and will now be switched to Oxford. Blue Riband and Prestige (Hall Green), Champion Stakes, Essex Vase, Golden Sprint (Romford), Eclipse, National Sprint (Nottingham), Pall Mall - won 22/06/10 by Ballymac Ace trained at Monmore by Chris Allsopp - and Cesarewitch - won 19/08/10 by Raving Black trained at Hove by Seamus Cahill - (Oxford), Irish Oaks, Irish Champion Stakes - won 24/07/10 by Makeshift trained in Ireland by Dolores Ruth, 600 - won 15/05/10 by Shaneboy Lee trained by P Kiely - Tote Gold Cup and Easter Cup (Shelbourne Park), Irish Laurels (Cork), Irish Sprint Cup - won 15/08/10 by Sheepwalk Mac trained by Michael Taggart (NI) from Banbridge County Down - (Dundalk), Irish National Sprint, Cox Cup (Newbridge), Tipperary Cup (Thurles), Arc (Swindon), Golden Jacket, (Crayford), All England Cup (Brough Park), Sussex Cup - won 27/07/10 by Head Iton Ellis trained near Sheffield by Steve Race (unatt) - and Regency - won 04/05/10 by He Went Whoosh locally trained by Claude Gardiner (Hove). Classic - won 15/07/10 by Target Classic trained at Pelaw Grange by Craig Dawson - and Grand Prix - won 15/07/10 by England Expects trained at Newcastle by Jimmy Wright, both run at Sunderland, East Anglian Derby (Yarmouth) etc.
Other famous UK races include the Cock o' the North (Belle Vue), Boxing Day Marathon (Oxford), Dorando Marathon - won in 2010 by Taylors Riviera trained by Ted Soppit based in Durham - run on derby night at Wimbledon Stadium, London. This years T.V. Trophy was held 15/06/10 at Kinsley greyhound track in West Yorkshire and was won for the second year in succession by Midway Skipper trained by Henry Chalkley (Henlow).
International greyhound events staged annually include the Anglo-Irish International (Dundalk - won 12/07/10 by Definate Opinion trained by Pat Guilfoyle in County Tipperary. Festival of Racing (Lifford), Galway Festival (Galway) and occasional American-Irish Challenges. This year the new Dublin festival week of racing took place at Harolds Cross and Shelbourne Park and included 1st round heats of the Irish Derby.
There are also "special meetings" like the Trainers Championship (TC) held 23/03/10 at Doncaster stadium and won this year by Mark Wallis previously attached to Harlow. Other types of 'Invitational races' (IR's) include The Select Stakes (Nottingham), Anglo-Irish Invitation (Wimbledon), Dransfield Invitation (Sheffield) and the odd Showdown - Match Racing.
Important category two and three UK Open Class Races (OR's) include: Northern Flat, Gorton Cup (Belle Vue), Midland Flat (Hall Green), Kent Derby, Silver Salver (Sittingbourne), Guy's and Dolls, Kent St Ledger (Crayford), St Mungo Cup (Shawfield), Corn Cuchulainn (Harolds Cross) - won 16/07/10 by Kiltrea Kev trained at Wexford by John Doyle. Birmingham Cup (Perry Barr), Olympic, Brighton Belle (Hove), Coronation Cup (Romford), Golden Jubilee 509, Pride of the West (Swindon), Trafalgar Cup, Oxfordshire Gold Cup (Oxford), National Oaks (Nottingham), Regal Gold Cup (Sunderland), Northumberland Plate (Brough Park), Summer Derby, Warickshire Oaks (Coventry), Peterborough Derby, Fengate Collar (Peterborough), Golden Crest, Super Paws (Poole), Henlow Derby (Henlow), Steel City Cup, Yorkshire Oaks (Sheffield), Yorkshire St Ledger (Doncaster), Midland Gold Cup (Monmore Green) and many other 'one offs' and minor cup and trophy events.
There are 'Open Races' for Puppies and Veterans and are represented in the formlines by a standard race prefix: (P) = Puppy and (V) = Veteran. In Ireland puppies begin their careers in Novice grade (N1-N3) although competitions are sometimes held for dogs previously unraced!
UK Puppy Events include: The English Puppy Derby - won 03/08/10 by Rayvin Giovaani trained by Seamus Cahill - English Puppy Oaks and Juvenile (Wimbledon), Irish Puppy Derby (Harolds Cross), Irish Puppy Oaks, National Puppy Stakes (Shelbourne Park), Irish Produce Stakes, Munster Puppy Cup (Clonmel), Juvenile Classic (Tralee), Puppy Derby (Newbridge) Puppy Cup (Romford), Puppy Classic, Produce Stakes (Nottingham), Westmead Puppy Derby (Henlow), 64th Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes (Swindon), Puppy Derby and Cesarewitch (Peterborough), Northern Puppy Derby (Sunderland), Midland Puppy Derby (Monmore), Manchester Puppy Cup (Belle Vue), Breeders Forum Produce Stakes and Gymcrack Puppy Championship (Hall Green) etc. Veteran races include the famous Senior's Derby (Peterborough).
All 'Open Class Competitions' attract the very best quality of greyhounds and overall represent the top UK standard of dog racing class.
Other standard prefixes that precede the race grading and indicate to the type of race include:- (H) = Hurdle and (CH) = Chase - two extra hurdles are added. Trainers may sometimes give a dog a 'hurdle handslip' - the greyhound isn't started from the traps but is released or 'hand slipped' usually along the straights - in order to slowly introduce them to jumping hurdles. Please note: that any runner previously having a hurdle trial or handslip, and was then switched back to race on the flat, is always a good sign to look for, as the hurdles tend to concentrate a dog's mind on it's racing and therefore sharpens them up!
The first race over hurdles took place at Belle Vue (Manchester) at it's opening meeting held on 24th July 1926 and was won by Melksham Autocrat. Famous UK hurdle races include the English Grand National (Wimbledon) - won 29/06/10 by Plane Daddy trained by Gemma Davidson at Crayford - originally run in 1927 at the White City Stadium (London) - Springbox, Champion Hurdle - won 29/05/10 by Men of Hope trained by Jason Foster (Wimbledon), Irish Grand National (Harold's Cross), Christmas Hurdle (Oxford) etc.
The very best of these 'canine racing machines' are capable of clocking greyhound speeds close to 40 mph / 65 km/ph! Although, the very fastest speeds may only be achievable on first class greyhound circuits (galloping tracks) with big track circumferences, long racing straights and wide sweeping cambered bends!
The fastest time recorded over a distance of 515 metres or 563 yards is 28.88 seconds by Australian "wonder dog" Brett Lee trained by Darren McDonald from Peacedale (Victoria) in the final of the Adelaide Cup, a Group 1 race held at Angle Park (25/01/01), South Australia, (track circumference 457 metres) this represents an average racing speed around the track of 39.87 miles per hour!
Interestingly, the fastest UK racetime for 515 metres is 29.20 seconds set by the "brilliant" Barnfield On Air trained by Samuel Poots (Unattached) in the final of the 2007 Sussex Cup Final, a Category One race run at Brighton and Hove greyhound stadium (track circumference 455 metres) and represents an average cruising speed of 39.44mph!
Alternatively, the quickest time in the UK achieved over a distance of 480 metres or 525 yards was recently recorded (13/02/10) in the 'Peggy Puppies' at Monmore Green (track circumference 419 metres) and is 27.60 seconds set by Farley Blitz trained by Barrie Draper (Sheffield) and represents an average speed of 38.91 mph.
The Irish national record for 525 yards or 480 metres was set by Catunda Harry trained by Owen McKenna, who became the first greyhound to dip under 28 seconds on an Irish track, when recording 27.99 seconds - equivalent to an average speed of 38.37mph - in a heat of the Ballygodoon stud Puppy Stakes run at Limerick 17/06/07.
The quickest ever time recorded in the Irish Greyhound Derby, held at Shelbourne Park (Dublin - track circumference 425 yards) over 550 yards = 503 metres was recently achieved 05/08/09 by 2009 Irish derby champion College Causeway trained by Pat Buckley (Ire) when recording the sensational time of 29.21 seconds in the 1st round - equivalent to an average racing speed of 38.51mph.
Top greyhound acceleration speeds along the straights close to 45 miles per hour / 72 km/h have reportedly also been achieved!
The vast majority of races held at greyhound tracks worldwide are known as 'Graded Races' (GR) and for the benefit of the 'Predictor' have been divided into 3 middle-distance race grade categories:-
U.K. - Top Grade - (A1 - A3) equilavent to American grades (A, AA, B) and Australian grades (1, 2). Many of these "top grade dogs" will also compete in major events and are capable of averaging speeds between 38-39 mph.
U.K. - Middle Grade - (A4 - A6) equilavent to American grades (C, D) and Australian grades (3, 3/4, 4). Many of these so called average-graded dogs regularly run at some of the very best greyhound tracks and can often be the equal of 'A1' graded dogs running at perhaps lesser not so good tracks. These racing hounds average speeds around a track between 37-38 mph.
U.K. - Low Grade - (A7 - A11) equilavent to American grades (E, F, and Maidens) and Australian grades (4/5, 5 and Maidens). Most dogs begin or finish their racing career's in these the lowest grades. Most runners competing in low grade races generally record speeds between 35-37 mph.
When fully fit 'graded runners' generally run more frequently then 'open racers' and usually compete in a race at least once a week, although twice and sometimes three times a week is not uncommon. However, any dogs thought 'over raced' will normally see a decline in racing form and may need a rest to freshen them up!
Occasionally other types of racing grades take place during a meeting, these grade statistics are once again represented in the formlines by a standard greyhound racing prefix, eg: (KC) = Kennel Championships, (KS) = Kennel Sweepstakes, (IT) = Intertrack Racing, (Hcp) = Handicap Racing and the very occasional (QS) = Quickstakes - 2 or 3 semi-finals take place with the final being held at the same meeting.
Knowing the grade of a greyhound race is extremely important, as it's an approximation to the expected level of racing performance and implies to the overall race standard. I consider a greyhound's grade should reflect past performances and be relative to previously recorded racetimes!
All 'greyhound patrons' when studying graded race form, will constantly be asking themselves, the same age old question, as whether to back (or include in combinations) a good dog 'lowered in class' running badly or a not so good dog 'raised in class' running well?
"If only I had a crystal ball" I hear you say!!
This is just one of the many decisions that face all 'greyhound punters', when trying to predict future outcomes of tightly graded dog races.
I believe successfully predicting Graded Races (GR's), will invariably be more challenging than predicting Open Races (OR's) as generally 'the grader' grades the races very closely, with only minute differences in racetimes to choose between the runners.
Therefore to obtain the best results from the 'Predictor' I suggest you choose the very best races to predict, such as UK Opens, American SA's or Australian FFA's, as the runners in these, the highest standard of greyhound racing grades, are not only considered more consistent in race performances, but most importantly allow 'canine competitors' to compete with slightly greater differences in racing ability. This can be especially noticeable during the early rounds of classic competitions and thus theoretically makes the 'open grade' more predictable than the graded race. Although, these differences in the dog's standards, will no doubt be reflected in the individual prices quoted as the odds of a greyhound race!
For all registered Greyhound Predictors who wish to "RACE AGAIN" to simulate dogs 'raised or lowered in grade', then one of the best ways to represent a change in race grade, would be to alter a dog's time! For example, if you consider a dog is 'upped in class' - ie: for winning races or running well - then perhaps you should add on approximately 0.10 or 0.15 seconds to that dogs fastest time, as any greyhound running against marginally better class dogs, will theoretically have less chance of performing well when racing against dogs of a 'higher class' or 'better standard'. Therefore up-graded dogs maybe less likely to obtain the necessary trouble free run in a race, in order to reproduce their very fastest racetimes. Although, often to the contrary, certain 'strong improving greyhounds' may actually appreciate a quicker overall travelling speed throughout a race and will be towed along in the 'faster slipstreams' of other initially speedier racing dogs and will despite an up-lift in racing grade, continue to produce and even improve on their fastest or best racing times.
Alternatively, if you wished to simulate greyhounds 'dropped in class' - ie: long losing runs or running badly - then surprisingly perhaps you may need to take off approximately 0.10 or 0.15 secs. from that greyhound's fastest/best racetime, as all dogs raced recently at a higher standard, will theoretically when 'lowered in class' have a better chance of performing well, against perhaps lesser rivals with fractionally slower overall race times. Therefore downgraded dogs maybe afforded more 'racing room' in a lower graded race, to achieve and perhaps even improve on their fastest/best racing times, and indeed yes, you may deduct an appropriate amount of race-time from a dog's best time, that best simulates greyhounds racing that have been demoted or lowered in racing grade.
I should however also like to mention, in the interests of 'The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' that since it is generally thought that the dogs themselves, remain completely unaware of the 'racing class' or 'dog grade' they are currently racing in or have previously competed at, you may therefore, wish to simulate this by perhaps leaving the fastest/best time of a greyhound as it is, the choice is always yours!
Now check the racing formlines in your newspaper.
The stat informing you the grade of a dog race is usually located next to the race length which can be found at the top of each race heading.
Now select the correct grade category and Press Spacebar to enter!
In this section, I explain how different racing conditions effect the performances of greyhounds with various running styles and why this may effect your future predictions. GP Version 2.0 track dimensions and a link to English track circumferences, hare types and race surfaces are provided.
An understanding how 'weather' effects the running surface of a greyhound track is the key to answering this question, the ability to predict accurately in advance the going conditions? or state of the track? is indeed a vital element that all 'greyhound predictors' should consider when predicting the future outcomes of dog races.
The vast majority of worldwide greyhound races take place on sand tracks, although originally many of today's prestigious events were first run on grass tracks. Other types of surfaces used include the 'loam tracks' seen at some Australian dog tracks and of course the nearly forgotten 'cinder tracks' of greyhound racing's historical past.
All greyhound establishments regularly maintain a fair and safe circuit for all competing dogs, by rolling flat and watering the surface of a track. However, this can sometimes be a very difficult task to achieve, as 'racing surfaces' are constantly effected by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, any greyhounds fortunate to race on a faster running surface then their competitors, will obviously have the advantage theoretically of being able to produce quicker racetimes! This 'advantage' or alternatively considered 'disadvantage' in the bias of the track, always effects the performances of dogs that chase or course a lure, running either an 'inside', 'middle', 'wide' or 'very wide racing line' around a track.
I suggest the first thing "Greyhound Predictors" should always do when attending a dog meeting is to check the condition of the racetrack!
Knowing how the track is running, is extremely important and a major advantage in finding winners given to all 'trackside racegoers', although interestingly many 'off track gamblers' may still be able to calculate correctly the 'advance going' or 'surface conditions' of a dog track. This can best be achieved in three basic ways, firstly, by paying attention to local weather forecasts will obviously give you a good idea of any forcasted 'climatic changes' due to occur in the vicinity of the track your predicting. Secondly, you may notice a certain repetitive pattern to the 'previous trends' of winning greyhound trap numbers, reflected in past results from earlier run races. Or thirdly, you may, if you could, wish to study all the 'winning times', 'racing lines' and 'running styles' of all previous winning greyhounds running at that race meeting, then decide for yourself, which racing line, if any, has the advantage on those particular surface conditions.
Greyhound Predictor Software v2.0 allows 4 types of racetrack conditions to be simulated:-
A Fast Track - [+0.40 secs = GP state of going adjustment] - Racing on firm going in hot atmospheric temperatures creates a 'fast running track' and generally gives an advantage to the 'inside runners'! This type of race surface helps greyhounds produce very fast sectional times and allows dogs of all racing styles to record extremely quick winning racetimes! It is usually on 'fast ground' in the summer months that 'track records' maybe broken, although a hard frozen track in mid-winter may also be considered a fast track and overall benefits the 'quick away runners'!
A Normal Track - [0.00 secs] - All greyhounds racing on a normal track surface, should produce normal race and sectional times. This type of going should be considered fair to all racing lines and running styles of greyhounds.
A Slow Track - [-0.40 secs] - Winter dog racing in cold temperatures on 'sloppy'or 'boggy' tracks produces slower race and sectional times and overall favours the 'strong finishing dogs! The winning times being 'slower run' than normal racetimes inevitable give greyhounds that 'stay on' or 'finish well' more time to get into a virtual dog race!
A Wet Racetrack - [+0.20 secs] - A recent shower of rain usually makes a track run a little faster than normal, although persistent heavy rainfall generally slows speeds down and overall tends to favour 'middle to wide' running dogs! The racing surface along the rails often becomes waterlogged due to the natural contours and cambers of a greyhound track, therefore dogs that 'move off the rail' and course more of a middle, wide and even sometimes a very wide raceline, frequently hold the advantage on a rain soaked track of running on a faster surface!
All "dog punters" will know the importance of correctly estimating the surface conditions of a track, this should never be over-looked or forgotten as 'race conditions' effect race results and therefore, always play a vital role in understanding the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction'!
Now enter the track condition - Fast, Normal, Slow or Wet,
Please also see: English Dog Track Circumferences, Hare Types and Race Surfaces.
In this section, I mention the general greyhound racing distances used in the United Kingdom and explain how different race prefixes are shown in the formlines to identify each particular race length. A link to British greyhound track lengths is also supplied.
Greyhound Predictor Software lets you predict races run over 3 race lengths. These include:- 515 metres = 563 yards, 500 metres = 547 yards and 480 metres = 525 yards. When choosing a race to predict, try selecting a race run exactly over or very close to any of these race distances to obtain the best and most accurate predictions!
As previously mentioned you may select all greyhound race lengths to be displayed in metres or yards by selecting Options from the Main Menu. Alternatively, you can pre-set your own distance measurements by finding the Configuration Utility on your computer: (Start - Programs - Greyhound Predictor v2.0 - Configuration) this allows all distances to be shown in either metres or yards, as the default mode of your choice, each time you start up Greyhound Predictor, only then will these race settings be saved for you!
There are basically, four greyhound distance categories. In the U.K. a raceform prefix (abbreviated letter) is always shown in the formlines before the 'race grade' to represent the length of race, for instance: D = sprint races (2 bend racing), A = middle distance races (4 bends), S = stayers races (6 bends) and E = marathon or extended races (8 bends or more). Please note: These 'race prefixes' do vary from track to track.
In England and Ireland by far the most common distance used for greyhound racing is 480 metres or 525 yards. The English Derby, Oaks and Scottish Derby are all run over this distance. There are also 'classics' for sprinters such as the Scurry Gold Cup first run at Clapton in 1928 over 400 yards untill the track closed and was transferred in 1974 to Slough over 434m/475y and later in 1987 to Catford over 385m. In 2003/4 the race was not run untill it was re-instated in 2005 at Perry Barr over 275 metres and is today run at Belle Vue (Manchester) over 260 metres. In Ireland the premier sprint is the Irish National Sprint run at Newbridge over 325 yards.
The longest classic race in England is the Cesarewitch, first held in 1928 at West Ham and originally run over 600 yards untill in 1972 the event was transferred to Belle Vue over 880 yards and was the first time a classic race had ever been staged in the north of England. Since 2001 this race has been staged at Oxford over 645 metres. The longest classic run in Ireland is the Irish Cesarewitch run at Mullingar over 805 yards.
Greyhound races occasionally take place over a sprint, stayers or marathon distance, where the positioning of the starting traps provides the greyhounds with only a short run to the first corner. These races frequently result in 1st bend trouble occurring, due to the distinct 'lack of racing room' afforded the runners and therefore these particular race lengths will always perhaps be considered a little more difficult to predict!
Now check your daily racing newspaper.
The greyhound form statistic that informs you the length of a race? is usually found in the top right corner of each race heading.
Now select one of the 3 race lengths and enter the distance of race!
Please also see British Greyhound Track Lengths.
You have now completed all the 'race set up' questions. The 'Predictor' will ask you to answer a further set of 7 dog racing questions, by once again, studying the formlines in your newspaper for each selected runner, starting with trap one. Please select your answer as before, by highlighting any of the multiple choice answers supplied and press Spacebar to enter. Please note: certain greyhound data questions (ages, weights, racetimes and race lengths) may require you to input numerical answers into the GP Stat Screen. To do this simply use the number digits situated at the top or right hand side of your computer keyboard.
In this section, I discuss the maximum number of runners allowed in a race and the importance of the trap draw when predicting greyhound races around the world. Also mentioned is our reasons for choosing the various racing jacket colours used in the GP v2.0 Software Program.
Greyhound Predictor allows all post positions or box draws to be simulated and lets you predict races that include vacant traps!
This feature not only lets you take out dogs that have become non runners (n/r) or scratched runners, but most importantly permits you to hold your own greyhound trial sessions (greyhound raceform statistic class or grade T = trial, T2 = 2 dog trial, T3 = 3 dog trial etc., solo trial = 'solo' or 'st' in American raceform). All combinations of a maximum 8 dogs per race are available.
In Australian and American greyhound races the present maximum number of runners permitted is 8 dogs, although previously both nine and ten dog races regularly took place. In UK racing, the current amount of runners is limited to six dogs, although in the past both five and eight runner races were a regular feature.
In English greyhound racing all trap allocations for races are seeded. This means that all dogs running an inside route will be issued with a 'rails tag' and hence seeded 'rails'. An (R) after a greyhound's name always indicates to a railer. The first railer drawn from the 'trap draw' always occupies the first available inside trap position. Middle track running dogs have the letter (M) after their name and will be given a 'middle tag' and seeded middle. Please note: the first middle seed drawn out, will always occupy the first available race trap position placed on the inside of the nearest wide runner. Wide and very wide running dogs will be given a 'wide tag' and seeded wide. The first wide seed drawn out always occupies the widest trap position. In UK greyhound form a (W) placed after a dog's name indicates a wide racer. Only very rarely when there are six wide runners in a greyhound final or perhaps in a handicap race, will a wide racing dog ever occupy the inside box. Please note: all trap positions for English graded races are allocated by the racing manager under N.G.R.C. Rule 76 (v).
Occasionally, a few greyhounds when first trialed for a forthcoming 'open class' event may 'run a track' differently and alter their natural racing line. The trainer with the owners permission may then decide to ask the 'racing manager' for a change to their dog's 'seeding position', this will only be granted when it is genuinely believed the dog would perform better if allowed to start future races from a different starting box position. The general reasoning behind 'seeded dog races' is, I believe, based purely in the 'interests of greyhound safety' as overall it helps to provide cleaner trouble free greyhound racing and theoretically improves the chances of dogs obtaining a clear run in the initial stages of a race and thus encourages dogs to perform to their maximum racing capabilities.
Alternatively in American and Australian dog racing there is 'no seeding' any runner can be drawn in any post position or box number, no preferences are given and to put it quite simply "the luck of the box draw" will always play a leading role in determining race results and therefore, will be an important factor to take into consideration when predicting future American and Australian dog winners.
I recommend all 'greyhound predictors' spend time experimenting and getting to know how different 'trap positions' effect the individual running performances of dogs racing around the GP Racetrack. This can best be observed by conducting your own private dog trials!
Please note: The option to trial dogs and then 'RACE AGAIN' is only fully functional in the full registered version.
All "racegoers" when predicting races that include 'vacant traps' will appreciate, that any greyhound placed in any 'adjacent trap' to a vacant trap or non runner, are generally thought to have a 'good draw' as theoretically with more 'racing room' they have a better chance of breaking well and obtaining a clear run when exiting the boxes in the very early stages of a race. However, this should not be presumed, as this will always depend on the individual 'make up' of each particular race!
Now check your newspaper and enter Runner or Vacant.
All dog racing nations have their own respective colour code of racing jackets, rugs or blankets to identify the individual greyhounds as they race. Since governing bodies worldwide use different race colours, there can often be a confusion in identifying the runners when watching greyhound racing on television or viewing via the Internet. This confusion in the identification of the dogs will always exist until all greyhound jacket colours around the world, are perhaps one day unified!
Here at Greyhound Predictor we found ourselves choosing our own greyhound colours, wishing to be fair to all dog racing countries, we wanted to use the most recognised and appropriate trap colours and therefore, best suited to all 'greyhound predictors'. After studying the dog colours of the main racing nations, we decided that the following blanket colours would hopefully be considered a fair choice and are represented in GP v2.0.
Our reasons for selecting these dog racing colours were as follows: The first 3 traps, Red = 1, Blue = 2 and White = 3 just so happen to be the same colours used by the UK, Irish, European and American greyhound industries, therefore, the choice of selecting them was made simply for us.
Choosing the next 3 blanket colours was a little more difficult to say the least, as each of the main greyhound nations use different colours for all three trap positions. After careful thought and consideration, we decided to stay with the race colours previously used in GP version 1.0 and use the European and British greyhound racing colours: Black = 4, Orange = 5, and Black/White stripes = 6.
The task of choosing the rug colour of trap 7 was again made difficult, as all greyhound racing nations use different colours for this post position. However, it was finally decided to represent the American dog industry and therefore the color of Green and White Stripes = 7 was chosen.
Lastly it was decided that the jacket colour of trap 8 should in all fairness represent the Australian greyhound industry and therefore, the famous Pink Jacket = 8 used in Australia was chosen.
In this section, I explain how to find the gender, colour and breeding of a greyhound and give my reasons why this may effect it's track performances. I also discuss how to calculate the number of weeks out of season, in order to simulate a bitch racing after a seasonal rest.
Knowing the sex of a greyhound is very important, as it will provide a good indication to the overall consistency of performances. All greyhounds throughout their careers experience times of running well, being 'in form' and other times of not running well being 'out of form'.
Dogs generally are easier to train than bitches and are perhaps considered more consistent in their racing performances. It is commonly thought that male dogs are best suited to sprint and middle-distance race lengths. There are of course always exceptions to the rule!
Bitches on the other hand are much harder to train, as racing schedules are continuely interrupted when a greyhound bitch comes into season (Ssn). This may occur perhaps once a year and she will at that time be 'withdrawn' from all her racing activities for at least 3 months. It is generally thought, bitches are perhaps better suited to 'longer distances' such as stayers races and marathon trips. 'Marathon bitches' it is said, may only in their second season of racing over these extended race trips, reach their peak racing potential!
When a bitch is retired to the paddock and put to a sire (stud dogs) for breeding, she becomes a 'brood bitch' and is called a 'dam' after whelping her first pups. All 'regular punters' when studying dog form will pay particular attention to the 'breeding lines' of all competing greyhounds and should always note, when a former "top racing bitch" has produced offspring to a 'classic winning sire'. Although there are no guarantees when it comes to breeding, these greyhound litters with top class pedigrees, are always said to be "bred in the purple". These much sought after young 'greyhound saplings' may share similar colourings and markings and show 'racing traits' common to either their sire or dam - racing styles, distance of race etc. For further information on breeding lines I recommend you visit greyhound-data.com.
Occasionally a heavily raced bitch may be irregular in her seasonal dates, which may result in two or three seasons occurring in any one year, although usually one of these may be a 'false heat' where no results would come from breeding. However, all bitches are different, as some don't 'go into season' until they are several years old, while others may do so much earlier.
Now check your newspaper.
The UK greyhound statistic that informs you the 'gender' is usually written as a standard dog racing prefix letter eg; d = Dog and b = Bitch and is always preceeded by other abbreviated letters referring to a greyhound's colour: bk. d. = black dog, w.bd.b. = white brindle bitch, f.w.b. = fawn white bitch, be.d. = blue dog etc. This race data is usually located to the left of each greyhound sire's name.
In American greyhound racing form stats (m) = male dog and (f) = female dog.
Now enter Dog or Bitch. If you have selected Bitch the following question will be asked:-
Knowing the 'seasonal date of a bitch' is yet another very important factor to take into consideration, as it gives a clue to her general level of fitness. Most bitches returning from a seasonal rest will be 'race rusty' and perhaps due to the lactose - sugary substance contained in milk - build up in their systems, may be carrying a little extra weight. After time, this lactose will dry up and within a few trials and races these fresh 'seasoned bitches' will start showing signs of returning to peak form - change in running style, faster sectionals, improvement in racetimes etc.
It is generally considered that a greyhound bitch approaching 16 weeks out of season, is the "perfect time" to be returning to peak racing fitness. However, all bitches are different, as some will start to run well, sooner perhaps at 14 weeks out of season, while others may indeed be slower "coming to hand" and will take longer to find their 'top racing form', perhaps between 18-24 weeks from the date of their last season.
Please note: when 'female dogs' show signs of better form, they often continue to run consistently well and may even improve rapidly over a 'period of weeks' as they generally follow their own natural cycle of either 'coming into form' or 'going out of form'.
As the old greyhound adage says, "It always pays to follow a bitch in form"
Now check your newspaper again. The raceform data that tells you the seasonal date is usually located to the right of the 'whelping date' which is found to the right of the dam's name and for example may be written as follows:- (Ssn 01 Jan 10).
Seasonal Date Not Known - If No Season Date (nsd) appears in the formlines, then this dog may have yet to experience her first seasonal date, therefore, you should select Not Known.
Seasonal Date Suppressed - Greyhound trainers may sometimes opt to give 'suppressants' to certain racing bitches, in order to delay or stop a season from occurring. These 'suppressed bitches' then have the opportunity to continue racing 'on the track' rather then being sidelined for many weeks 'off the track' due to an enforced seasonal rest. If the seasonal date contains the raceform abbreviation (Ssn Sup) then select Suppressed. Please note: If a bitch has been 'spayed' then I suggest you also select Suppressed.
Seasonal Date Known - If a bitch's seasonal date appears in the formlines and you've selected Known? - The following question will be asked:-
To answer this question, you simply calculate the approximate number of weeks that have elapsed since the last seasonal date occurred!
Another way to answer this question, is to study all the relevant raceform for all 'female greyhounds' and literally by reading between the formlines, decide for yourself, whether she's 'in form' or 'out of form'? If you consider she's running well, then I suggest you enter 16 weeks out of season! The GP dog racing simulator will then simulate a bitch running at her very best form. Alternatively, if you consider she's not running well? then I suggest you leave the seasonal weeks blank, the 'Predictor' will then simulate her racing slightly 'below par' or being 'out of form'.
Now check your newspaper and enter the number of weeks out of season.
In this section, I discuss how to calculate the age of a greyhound from it's whelping date and explain why this may effect it's race performances. Please note a link to Greyhound Welfare sites is now provided in the hope of rehoming retired ex-racing dogs.
Knowing the age of the runner is another very important factor to take into consideration when predicting canine races, as it indicates to it's future racing potential and therefore implies to the general consistency of racing performances.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 Software allows you to enter all greyhound ages in months!
In UK racing form, the age of a dog is always taken from the first day of the month they were born, even if born on the last day of the month!
All dogs and bitches less than 24 months old are classified as 'greyhound puppies'. These young pups will at approximately 12 months of age be introduced to the idea of racing, after initial schooling trials and further 'grading in trials' most juvenile dogs that achieve a 'grading in time', will make their race debuts between 15 - 18 months of age.
Dog trainers may occasionally elect to bring certain 'well bred pups' on slowly at first, deliberately keep them back, wrap them in cotton wool perhaps! and then introduce them fresh in the spring from a winter's break, in order to start to get them fit for the forthcoming competitive 'Puppy Opens' held later in the summer months.
These raw 'lightly raced greyhounds' are always 'open to improvement' and therefore, may improve rapidly over a short period of time, as overall they possess good racing potential, which is always thought a good sign when predicting future greyhound race winners. However, 'greyhound pups' frequently run a little 'green' and race inconsistently, as obviously young puppies are still learning to win dog races.
The age at which a greyhound reaches it's peak can vary enormously. It is generally considered a greyhound will be at it's best between 30 - 36 months, although I personally believe some greyhounds reach 'racing maturity' slightly earlier between 21 - 30 months of age and consider this, the perfect age for backing dogs racing over middle distances. Though bitches may sometimes take a little more time to reach their full potential.
Older greyhounds lets say between 36 - 48 months old will be competing in their second or third racing season, these 'experienced race dogs' are usually battle hardened to the hustle and bustle of regular racing, having acquired 'good trackcraft' and remarkably produce very consistent track performances, illustrated by the close proximity of their recorded racetimes.
A greyhound's racing career is a short one! as dogs still competing at an age of 54 - 60 months old, will be approaching the twilight of their track careers and many of these fondly remembered 'greyhound veterans' will sadly be retired. However, there are always exceptions to the rule, as a few 'seasoned old campaigners' will continue winning greyhound races at perhaps 70 - 80 months old. Although, many of these 'veteran racers' are thought past their best and generally lack that bit of spark or back-straight pace they once possessed!
The Greyhound Predictor website now has an extra page dedicated to 'greyhound rescue sites' if you can in anyway help in the re-homing of retired racing greyhounds then please check out our greyhound rescue page.
Now check your racing newspaper.
To know how old a greyhound is? you need to find the raceform stat known as the 'whelping date' this is usually located in the formlines to the right of the dam's name. Now simply calculate the approximate number of months that have elapsed since the whelping date occurred!
Now enter the age of the dog.
In this section, I explain why knowing a greyhound's racing weight is so important and how small fluctuations in weight may effect track performances. I also give my reasons for not throwing away old race programmes with a view to studying future dog weights.
Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0 allows all racing weights of dogs to be entered in either Kilos (Kgs) or Pounds (Lbs).
All English, Scottish, Welsh, Australian, New Zealand and European greyhounds are weighed in Kilograms. Irish and American dogs in pounds!
Dogs on average weigh between 28 - 36 Kilos = 62 - 80 Lbs. and stand 71-76 cms tall, being larger in size then bitches, they frequently come out on top when bumping or baulking occurs between them. Dogs are generally thought fearless when racing and display incredible determination and bravery to the great pleasure of their owners, trainers and the vast crowds that watch.
However, some male racing dogs consistently find trouble in races and could be considered a little clumsy! Some of the heaviest 'long striding dogs' can weigh in excess of 40kg = 88lbs and are usually better suited to wider galloping tracks, although they do have an advantage over bitches when conditions underfoot become wet or sloppy, as they take less strides to run around a circuit!
Bitches on the other hand, average between 22 - 31 Kilos = 48 - 68 Lbs. and stand 68 - 71 cms tall. They protect and look after themselves a little more than dogs when racing and generally show 'good trackcraft', as being smaller in size, they can often squeeze through racing gaps that larger dogs wouldn't dare to go and also have the advantage of sometimes being able to slip under the grill a little quicker then dogs, when initially breaking from the traps!
Knowing the current weight of a greyhound is extremely important, as it provides the opportunity to compare today's running weight with previous racing weights from past races, in order to determine the correct racing weight condition of a dog.
However, finding out today's racing weights may prove difficult, as the only way of knowing the weight of a greyhound is to actually go to your local track and check the race weights! This is a major advantage in selecting winners and is why so many dog people love going greyhound racing!
I suggest the 2nd thing all 'greyhound predictors' should remember do when attending a meeting, is to check out the 'greyhound weight sheet' displayed at your local stadium or park!
Advancements in modern day technology may in the future afford 'off track punters' with this current weight information, although, many of us will still not know a dog's previous racing weights in order to compare them. However, those more astute "racing anoraks" may still check previous weights, by simply referring back to their more recent old race programmes.
If a dogs weight is not known, then simply enter your own approximate weight to continue or alternatively leave the weight blank = 00.0 kilos or Lbs, the Predictor greyhound software program will then set the default weight for this dog to a normal racing weight.
Now enter this greyhound's weight in kilos or Lbs.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows all types of greyhound weight conditions to be simulated!
All trainers will try to maintain a dog's general level of fitness, this can best be observed by studying the variations in a dog's racing weight!
Each greyhound has their own optimum weight, this is their "perfect racing weight" perhaps only known to the trainer and maybe the owners! When a dog weighs close to this weight, this usually implies the dogs fully tuned up and therefore ready to produce it's best track performances.
I suggest, you initially start trialing dogs around the GP Racetrack, to fully understand how different weight variations and changes in weight conditions effect the running performances of both dogs and bitches. Please note: This is only fully functional in the full registered version!
Dogs vary in weight from race to race. In UK and Australian greyhound racing any dog whose weight variation is above or below 1kg or 2.2 Lbs (American dog racing 2 Lbs) from it's previous weight will not be permitted to compete under normal dog racing rules.
Any greyhound weighing below their normal racing weight is said to be 'down in weight' which is always considered to be a good positive sign! since losing weight suggests this dog will race fitter having been well exercised. I personally believe 'under weight dogs' produce fractionally slower than normal sectional times, but will compensate for this by having a little 'more stamina' than usual at the end of a race.
Occasionally a few dogs when kennelled for a short period of time before racing, will be prone to 'kennel fretting' - become nervous or over excited - and for this reason lose weight rapidly before finally being placed into the starting traps. This on the other hand is always considered a negative sign as it suggests perhaps a weakness in the racing temperament of the dog, which results in greyhounds running inconsistently and not performing to the best of their abilities (missed breaks, early faders etc.).
Please note: any greyhound puppy's running with an 'under weight racing condition' may sometimes also be considered a negative sign!
When there is little or 'no weight variation' between current or previous racing weights, then you should always select a 'normal weight condition'. This is always seen as a good sign! as the 'consistency of weight' indicates to the general well being of the dog!
Any greyhound that had previously in it's last race been thought well 'down in weight' and was racing tonight at approximately the same race weight, should still perhaps be considered down in weight! even though it's weight remains the same! Just as a greyhound previously running well 'over weight' and remaining at that weight for it's next race, may still be considered up in weight!
Most 'canine racers' returning to the track after a short rest or spell of lamness, might be considered a little race rusty and maybe 'up in weight' which is generally thought a negative sign! as it suggests they've been overfed or perhaps not exercised enough. I personally consider this heavier weight condition makes them initially stronger in the early stages of a race and genuinely believe 'over weight dogs' produce fractionally faster than normal sectional times, although they generally will 'start to fade' a little sooner then they would normally do in the latter stages of a race!
I believe dog handlers may occasionally elect to put a bit of weight on a greyhound, in order to help a dog trap out faster, giving them perhaps, a better chance to lead up or lie handy with the pace, in order to avoid first bend trouble possible anticipated at the corner!
Please note: Any pups putting on weight is alternatively considered a good sign, as it suggests they're still growing and open to improvement!
If as is generally the case a dog's race weight is not known then simply select Not Known.
Knowing the weight and racing condition of a greyhound, is usually only afforded to 'trackside punters' who are able to compare today's weight changes if any, against previous running weights displayed in their official racecards. When weighing up the formlines of a dog race, the one vital factor, besides perhaps the racetimes, age, the going and the draw, that allows me most to determine which greyhounds to include in bets or permutations, should in theory always be decided by the greyhound's with the best weight condition!
This ability to study a greyhound's weight, combined with an accurate estimation of it's 'perfect weight' is of vital importance to 'The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' as variations in a dog's race weight always play a significant role in obtaining accurate predictions and is why so many 'greyhound people' like going to the dogs!
However, dog weights can be very misleading, lets imagine a situation for example, that Lady Flyaway has a perfect racing weight = 27.0 kg and having competed in her last race at a weight = 28.0 kg, we find the Lady is running tonight at a weight = 27.6 kg. Would you consider her weight condition to be under weight? ie. down in weight or perhaps over weight? ie. up in weight. Here lies the general confusion to why weights are so often misunderstood! In the example above, I consider Lady Flyaway weighing 27.6 kg is in fact 0.6 kg over weight, as we knew her perfect racing weight = 27.0 kg, however, had we thought her perfect weight = 28.0 kg then I would have considered her to be 0.4 kg under weight!
All 'predictors of dog races' will understand the importance of accurately assessing the perfect weight of a greyhound and will appreciate, a greyhound up in weight can still be under weight and a greyhound down in weight can still be over weight! Most of us already know that dogs are generally heavier then bitches, although interestingly enough, actually knowing the exact weight of a dog, is on it's own, of little use to 'professional punters' unless you're able to compare current racing weights with previous weights, in order to determine this greyhound's true weight condition.
It is therefore, only by collecting these official race programmes can the serious 'dog racing student' study the 'weight variations' displayed further back in past greyhound formlines and is perhaps why so many of us like to collect dog programmes? please don't throw them away!! So much old dog racing memorabilia and greyhound collections go to waste! If you happen to find any old greyhound programmes and your thinking of throwing them out, PLEASE DON'T, instead please send them to me and I will add them to my greyhound museum project! All names of contributors to my collection will be mentioned!
Now enter this greyhound's weight condition - Under, Normal, Over or Not-Known.
In this section, I explain the importance of entering accurately the fastest/average race and sectional times into the Greyhound Predictor Stat Screen. A link to British Greyhound Track Records is also supplied.
Greyhound Predictor version 2.0 requires you to enter the best time of a greyhound, this is generally referred to as the fastest time or best time recorded over the current race distance within the last 3 months. All greyhound racing times can be entered!
Knowing a greyhound's fastest time is extremely important as it indicates to its maximum or top racing performance, which in turn implies to the grade or class of the race and interestingly lets all of us calculate a dog's average racing speed around a track. (see GP Version 1.0)
Since many of you will be predicting races with varying track dimensions, I would like to point out, that all winning racetimes achieved on greyhound circuits with 'smaller track circumferences' may not correctly represent a dog's true racing ability, as racing speeds associated with sharper, tighter racing tracks will always produce slower overall racetimes!
I suggest therefore, when entering a greyhound's best time into the 'Predictor' that you always feel free to 'add on or deduct' an appropriate amount of racetime, in order to bring these 'race timings' into line with the Greyhound Predictor track times. To find out the correct amount, that maybe required to adjust these times, I recommend, you first trial individual dogs with different 'racetimes' recorded over different 'distances' run at various worldwide stadiums with different 'circumferences', 'race dimensions' and 'surface conditions', then decide for yourself how these winning times compare and adjust accordingly, as we say "It's not a Game? It's a Science!"
However, greyhound times can be very misleading, for instance, if a dog has raced only once over a certain race length, then this greyhound is obviously 'open to improvement' and will no doubt in future races achieve faster times. Where as a dog racing many times over the same distance, may invariably struggle to reproduce their fastest times. Alternatively a dog thats previously posted a very quick racetime, but is returning to the track after a short rest, spell of lamness or is currently running 'out of form' will also frequently struggle to reproduce their very best racing times. Please note: since the fastest time of a dog is shown in all Uk race programmes within the last 3 months, some greyhounds may have recorded in the past much faster racetimes, although this fastest ever or lifetime best racing time is not usually displayed in current trackside raceform.
If a greyhound has No Best Time (NBT) displayed in the formlines, then this runner hasn't yet raced or trialed over this current race distance, therefore, you will need to enter an alternative racetime from one of it's previous races, run perhaps over another distance or achieved at a different track or alternatively you can always enter your own pre-adjusted racetime, in order to best simulate the real-time race performances of greyhounds.
In most dog form books the winning greyhound's time (Win/Tm) is usually located to the right of the race remarks, however please note, that all recorded times are adjusted accordingly after the race, to take into account the state of going, these are known as 'calculated racetimes' and can be found in all newspaper formlines to the extreme right of each dog's current racing form, an asterix (*) shown after one of these racetimes will always indicate a dog's best recent time, when choosing one of these 'amended racetimes' remember to select a time when a greyhound has performed well, obtained a clear run or achieved a good finishing position, in order to enter a time that correctly reflects a dog's true racing ability.
GP v2.0 allows abnormally fast or slow racetimes to be entered, although this 'special feature' is technically incorrect, it does however, allow the individual player the chance to simulate races run over slightly shorter or longer middle-distance races and not only offers more variations in sectional timings and incorporates wider winning race margins but most importantly lets you enjoy further the fun element to Greyhound Predictor! see Betting Lounge!
Try getting the dogs racing in real-time! This is the key to a successful prediction and makes "The Predictor" a unique greyhound tipping tool!
Now check your greyhound paper: The formline statistic Best Recent Time is usually written as an abbreviation (BRT) or Best Time (BT) and can be found in all UK newspaper formlines directly below the breeding lines of each individual greyhound.
Now enter this dog's Best Time.
In UK greyhound racing form a 'sectional time' is the time it takes a dog, to run from the traps to the winning line, first time around the circuit. This is a very important time to know, as it provides a clue to a dog's pace type, early race position, and interestingly allows all of us 'dog racing enthusiasts' to calculate the acceleration speeds of a greyhound exiting the traps!
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows all 'breaking times of dogs' to be entered. However, if as in Australian and American greyhound racing formlines 'No sectionals' to the winning line are stated, then simply leave your answer blank = 00.00 secs. The 'Predictor' will then set this dog an average sectional based on your answer entered for a greyhound's pace type, for example a dog with 'early pace' will be given an 'average early paced sectional time' and hence a racer with 'middle pace' will be given an 'average middle paced sectional time' etc.
Since most greyhound tracks will have different 'run-up distances' from the starting boxes to the winning line, due to the variations in track sizes, I suggest, if you wished to simulate sectionals not relevant to the GP sectional times then once again feel free to 'add on or take off' an appropriate amount of race-time, in order to bring these "split-timings" into line with the GP Racetrack.
For best results, I recommend you select the longer race length of 515 metres or 563 yards, as this will help better simulate the correct sectional timings and precise distances between the dogs, therefore improving your chances of predicting accurately the early race positions and initial breaking times of the greys as they cross the winning line first time around the circuit!
Now check your newspaper.
All 'sectionals' are located directly below each greyhound's name and are preceded by the race distance and the previously occupied box or post position, for instance, 515 [1] 04.20 = (this dog ran over 515 metres/yards, from trap no.1 and recorded a sectional time = 04.20 seconds.)
Now compare all the 'split times' relevant to the distance your predicting and enter the best sectional time of a greyhound.
Greyhound Predictor allows the opportunity to 'simulate missed breaks' by adding on time to a dog's sectional time. As a general rule in determining short dog distances:- 0.08 secs = 1 length, 0.04 secs = 1/2 length, 0.03 secs = a neck, 0.02 secs = head and 0.01 secs = short head. Although it has come to my attention that the time it takes to run a length, may be fractionally quicker 0.0676 secs = 1 dog length, therefore, depending on you viewpoint, if you wanted to simulate a dog missing it's break by two lengths for example, then simply multiply 2 x 0.08 = 0.16 and add this time to the best sectional time, eg: 04.20 secs + 00.16 secs = 04.36 secs or alternatively, you can use the slightly faster sectional length timing, eg: 04.20secs + 00.13 = 04.33 secs approximately, again the choice is always yours!
At British tracks with six runners in a race, the hare travels past the starting traps on the 'outside of the racetrack', Trap 6 occupying the widest trap position is always the closest runner to an 'outside hare' and theoretically! always has the advantage of being able to see the hare first! On the other hand Trap One being the furthest away, is theoretically always the last dog to see the lure. Therefore, for these reasons wide running greyhounds ie; Trap 5 or Trap 6 invariably break fast from an outside box position but generally don't trap so well when placed in the 'middle traps' or 'coffin boxes'.
Alternatively, greyhounds previously raced from an inside or rails position ie: Traps 1 or 2 invaribly improve their sectional breaking times when drawn further out in the middle of the track, as theoretically they see the hare fractionally sooner being drawn nearer to it, while greyhounds producing fast trapping times from the middle boxes ie: Traps 3 and 4 often struggle to reproduce the same sectional times when drawn closer to the inside fence, as being drawn further away they get to see the lure fractionally later.
In America and at most tracks in Australia, predicting dog breaking speeds is interestingly the opposite way around! as the greyhound closest to an 'inside hare' at 'trap release' is normally Trap 1 which theoretically always has the distinct advantage of being the first dog to see the lure go past. While on the other hand, Trap 8 being the furthest away is always theoretically the last dog to see the lure. Since the dogs in GPv2.0 are programmed to follow an outside hare, I would suggest that Australian and American Predictors may need to quicken up the racetimes of the inside runners to better simulate dogs chasing an inside running hare!
Knowing why a dog's breaking times may alter due to the trap draw, box draw or post positions is vitally important for all 'predictors' to fully comprehend, as these fractional 'hundreths of a second differences in break times' effect the early racing positions of the dogs which inevitable effects the future results of greyhound races!
Occasionally a runner will 'miss the break' and be left trailing the field, if for example, this was an 'early paced dog', then in it's own eagerness to catch up and rejoin the race leaders, this dog may accidently cause trouble in a race, resulting in crowding (crd), baulking (blk), bumping (bmp) or bunching (bnc) occurring around the opening turns of a circuit, all initially caused by the mis-timing of a greyhound's break! (brk).
This ability to predict accurately in advance the correct sectional time of a greyhound as it passes the winning line first time around, is very important to the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' as each sectional timing entered not only sets the initial pattern to a race but also influences any 'racing interference' that may take place in the very early stages of a race!
Please note: All greyhounds running on the Greyhound Predictor Racetrack are equipped with their own hit detection and are therefore capable of simulating different aspects of crowding = +0.10secs, bumping = +0.20secs and baulking = +0.30secs that may occur at any time in a race!
I suggest at first, you experiment by entering different distances of a dog's best time into the Stat Screen, to fully understand how changes in race lengths effect the overall racetimes in the Predictor.
Another way perhaps, to simulate dogs raised or lowered in race grade, would be to add or delete approximately 2 or 3 metres or yards to the distance entered for a greyhound's best time, if you so desired!
I would also like to mention to 'American & Irish Racegoers' that it's now possible to simulate 550 and 525 yard races on GP's 515 metre track! Since many greyhound races in the United States are run over a standard distance of 5/16 of a mile = 550 yards = 503 metres approximately. Technically when using the 'Predictor' you may feel you should always use the closest race length to that your predicting and indeed you can. However, I would in preference recommend, you select the longer track distance of 563 yards or 515 metres. Now enter your 'racetimes' as before but instead of entering the distance of the fastest time as 550 yards or 503 metres, I suggest you add 13 yards or 12 metres respectively and enter the distance of best time as 563 yards or 515 metres. Although this may seem incorrect, my reasons for suggesting this are two fold, firstly by selecting this 'longer distance' you will better simulate the real sectional times recorded by American dogs in typical American races with a 'longer run to the first bend' and secondly and more importantly, the Greyhound Predictor Track generally runs a little faster then an average sized American track, due to it's own racetrack scale specifications, ie: bigger track circumference, therefore, all genuine American greyhound racetimes entered remain extremely relevant to the winning racetimes recorded over this slightly longer distance of 563 yards or 515 metres!
The raceform statistic indicating the length of race is usually located directly below each greyhound's name and is always preceded by race dates shown in chronological order, for instance, 04 Aug 515 = 515 Metres or Yards.
Now check your greyhound newspaper and enter the race distance of the best time.
GP v2.0 requires you to enter your own estimate of a greyhound's average racetime. However, since there is no greyhound stat informing you of this time, you can leave all average times and distances blank in order to quicken up the data entry!
Knowing the average time will provide you with a further over-view of each dog's times and therefore indicates to the general standard of dog racing. To answer this question, you need to calculate the average of all the racetimes relative to the distance your predicting, in order to enter a time that best reflects the average time of a greyhound. Some of you when calculating average times may wish to ignore certain previous racetimes when that time was significantly slower due to a greyhound being badly bumped (b bmp) or knocked over (ko) fell or did not finish (dnf).
You should also be aware of misleading racetimes, mis-prints, hand timings (HT or Hnd Tm) and those races run over the same distance but in fact recorded on another greyhound track!
Now enter this greyhounds average racetime.
To calculate the average sectional time of a dog, you need to look at all it's 'previous sectionals' recorded over this current race distance and simply enter your own estimate of the average breaking time. To quicken up data entry the 'Predictor' also allows all 'average split times' to be left blank. Each dog's sectional time will then be set an average time based on your answer entered for a greyhound's pace type.
If a greyhound has No sectional time displayed in the raceform, then this dog has yet to race or trial over this distance, therefore you must enter your own estimate, based on previous sectional times achieved over different race lengths or alternatively recorded on other greyhound tracks with different run-up distances!
Now enter the average sectional time of this dog.
Greyhound Predictor uses the abbreviation A.R.T. which stands for Average Race Time.
Now, enter the race distance of the Average Race Time.
Please also see British Greyhound Track Records and Dates.
In this section, I explain how to determine the racing pace of a greyhound and discuss the various advantages and disadvantages of individual racing styles. Studying Sectional Timings, Reading Race Comments, Observing Track Positions and American Chart Writers are also included.
Greyhound Predictor Software Version 2.0 allows you the choice of 4 types of pace:-
All dogs have their own individual style of racing, this is best illustrated by observing a greyhound's pace in a race!
Early Pace - This type of greyhound racing pace produces very fast sectional times as all 'quick away dogs' reach their fastest racing speeds in the very early stages of a race. These 'fast breakers' perform best when allowed to dictate a race, by leading "on the bunny" all the way from the start. This ability to 'lead' is crucial to all front-running greyhounds, as they rely on gaining a 'clear run' in order to set an unassailable lead! However, early pace greyhounds inevitably tire and often fade dramatically in the closing stages of a race!
Middle Pace - Dogs with middle pace produce average sectionals and will be seen to best effect when allowed to accelerate along the backstraights in the middle stages of a race. However, 'middle paced greyhounds' are frequently denied 'racing room' as they often find themselves surrounded closely by other dogs running in a tightly packed field and for this reason are perhaps more likely to be involved in race interference then other dog racing pace types and maybe impeded (Imp) or forced to check (Ck) when challenging at the first or third bends!
Finishing Pace - This style of running generally produces slower sectional times, as 'finishing dogs' do their best running, when making ground from the rear of the field and challenging for the lead towards the final stages of a race. These 'strong finishers' often unwittingly benefit when 1st bend trouble occurs up-front amongst the leading dogs. However, dogs that "stay on" have to pass and avoid all the other dogs in-front of them and therefore for these reasons, maybe frequently hampered or forced to run wide and will have to overcome their fair share of racing traffic problems. Most young puppies finishing well in races, will in time be stepped up in distance, as will most dogs better suited to longer races.
All Round Pace - Dogs with this pace can produce all combinations of fast, average or slow sectional times, as these greyhounds usually maintain a 'strong pace' throughout a race, although sometimes, this may be considered a little one paced!
Now check your newspaper.
To find a dog's pace type, you must literally read between the formlines, as there is no specific statistic or greyhound racing data that tells you the actual pace of a greyhound. However, clues are given and basically there are 3 ways to calculate a greyhound's pace:-
1 - Studying Sectional Times - Firstly by comparing 'sectional times' run over the same track and distance, will inform you which greyhounds are generally fast, average or slow away in the first few seconds of a race.
In Australia, some of the world's finest dog stadiums or "city tracks" often supply 3 split times:- the initial run to the 1st bend sectional, the approximate 1/2 way clockings and the 'coming home' or 'home run' sectional measured to an accuracy of 1000/second from a point at the top of the back stretch to the winning line, are stated in some Australian race programmes.
2 - Reading Race Remarks - The following raceform comments will usually indicate to a greyhound's pace:-
Early Pace = clear 1st, led 1, very quick away (v qaw), early pace (ep), fast away (f aw) always led (aled), box to wire, led to line.
Middle Pace = led 1-2 to run-in, led 2, led 3, slow away-early pace (sa ep).
Finishing Pace = led 4, very slow away (vsa), lacked early pace (lep), led on line (ld ln), ran on (rn on), finished well (fw), stretch drive, winning drive.
All Round Pace = These greyhounds win races at both ends ie. by leading from the start or by staying on strongly at the end and therefore, share comments very similar to other pace types and overall perhaps perform best when breaking well and holding a good early position!
3 - Observing the Race Positions - In UK greyhound racing formlines, all previous race positions of the dogs are shown in all official racecards at various points around a track. For standard middle-distance races, each greyhound's racing position in a race is recorded at the 1st bend, 2nd bend, 3rd bend, 4th bend and finishing line. These racing statistics are found in all UK programmes to the right of the dog's sectional times and will always provide an accurate guide to a greyhound's pace type. eg:-Early Pace = 1 1 1 1 2 - Middle Pace = 3 2 1 1 2 - Finishing Pace = 6 6 4 3 2
All Round Pace = These dogs are capable of replicating all types of pace and therefore, occupy similar race positions to other running styles. Generally, when reading raceform it is easy to pick out the 'early pace' and 'finishing pace' greyhounds, although dogs that have 'middle' or 'all round pace' will always be a little harder to determine!
In American greyhound racing it's the 'official chart writers' who determine a dog's position in a race at various points around a track:-
Off Call or Break Call - This is the greyhounds position 1-8 coming from the starting boxes.
The 1/8 Call - This is the dogs position in the field measured at a point exiting the 1st (escape) turn, please note: The 'first turn time' (F.T.T.) will only show the leading dogs time to the escape turn.
Stretch Call - This is the runners position in the field, measured at a point just entering the final turn.
Finish Call - This is the dog's final race position 1-8 measured at the finish line.
I suggest, the 3rd thing you should always do while attending a meeting, is to go "out for a shout" and take a good look at the greyhounds on parade, I personally like to see 'alert dogs' that appear 'mean and keen' with their tail tucked well down, underneath themselves, resembling a coiled spring! rather then perhaps a 'sluggish looking' or 'happy dog' with it's tail waggling in the air!
I suggest the 4th and last thing all 'greyhound predictors' should remember to do when going to the "bow wows", is to keep watching the dogs after the race finishes. Like many good 'dog scribes' and experienced 'greyhound judges' you should always continue to watch the dogs run to the 'pick up' or 'sough' (sgh), as this will help identify the correct racing pace of a greyhound for all your future race predictions!
Now enter Early, Middle, Finishing or All Round Pace.
In this section, I explain how to read greyhound formlines to find the correct racing line of a greyhound and will be discussing the various advantages and disadvantages of these running routes. I also explain how to enter a dog into the Greyhound Predictor Racetrack.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 lets you select a Standard Racing Line or to Define your Own and offers an amazing 16,384 individual racing lines! All combinations of the following race track positions can be entered and simulated:-
Rails - All dogs racing on the inside of a track are known as "railers" and always have the advantage of running the shortest route around a circuit. The ability for any 'inside tracker' to hold the rails position in a race, is extremely important as these "paint scrapers" frequently avoid race trouble, by slipping through along this inside racing line and hence will benefit when other dogs are crowded (crd) or badly baulked (b blk) to their outside. However, 'tight railers' may not always maintain their maximum speeds around the bends, due to the acuteness of this particular running line!
Middle - Greyhounds 'moving off' the inside rail and running a middle course around a track are better placed to maintain their maximum racing speeds throughout a race, although middle track racing dogs run a little further in distance compared to inside racers and are generally considered 'easy to pass' as they allow chasing dogs, plenty of 'racing room' to overtake or pass them both on the inside or outside of the racetrack!
Wide - Dogs taking a wide course are favoured by wet racing conditions and usually benefit in races when trouble occurs involving the inside runners. However, wide running dogs race on the outer racing line of a track and therefore, run a little further in distance compared to 'inside' and 'middle' runners and for this reason generally lose a little ground around the bends!
Very Wide - Some greyhounds naturally run a very wide racing line! This is always considered an 'inferior racing-line' as they obviously lose many lengths around the corners and run much further in distance compared to other racing routes. However, very wide runners are also favoured by wet track conditions and nearly always avoid trouble in a race, by taking this extremely wide route, although occasionally they do end up racing on the wrong side of an outside hare rail!
All greyhounds chasing artificial hares or mechanical lures will follow their own natural running paths, although this always depends on whether their following an inside or outside running hare? In American and Australian greyhound racing tracks, an inside hare rail is generally used and therefore, the dogs tend to run much closer to the rails.
Alternatively, the vast majority of dog racing in the UK takes place behind an outside hare and therefore, dogs tend to run further out in the middle to wide areas of the racetrack. This can be most noticeable watching greyhounds racing out of the turns and running along the straights!
Now check your racing newspaper.
To find the correct racing line of a greyhound you will need to look at the raceform comments! These remarks are located to the right of the winners or seconds name which can be found directly underneath the owners name in UK race programmes or the breeding lines in racing papers.
In English greyhound racing form the following abbreviations relate to racing lines:- Rails = rls, Rails to Middle = rls-mid, Middle to Rails = mid-rls, Middle = mid, Middle to Wide = mid-w, Wide = w, Very Wide = vw.
Now select Standard Racing Line or Define Own.
If you select a Standard Racing Line each dog's racing position around the track will be highlighted on the Track Screen and will display the default racing line for each trap or post position.
If you select to Define Own the Track Screen will highlight each race position and ask you to choose any combination of either rails, middle, wide or very wide racing lines for the following Greyhound Predictor Track Positions:-
You have now completed all the form data required for Trap Number 1. If you've made any mistakes when entering the greyhound statistics, 'Greyhound Predictor' lets you go back and select any question again, in order to alter any 'dog stat' that may need to be changed!
To enter this greyhound into the race, simply highlight Enter at the bottom of the Stat Screen and Press Spacebar to load the dog into the traps. Once you have repeated this procedure for all the remaining trap runners, you will start to see the GP Racetrack appear!
In this final section of 'The Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' I explain how to use our Greyhound Racing Simulator to view your own dog races and discuss the relevant and underlying probabilities of achieving a successful winning race prediction.
Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0 lets you watch real-time simulated greyhound racing in the comfort of your own home!
Once the GP Greyhound-Track has loaded, you may then select the Display Mode by using the left/right cursor keys situated on your keyboard. This 'special race feature' lets you view the current 'dog speeds' in either metres or yards per second, miles or kilometres per hour and also shows the actual distances travelled by each greyhound at any point around the track.
Now Press Spacebar to start the hare running. As soon as the 'traps open' each greyhound's race position will be continuously up dated in the 'Predictor' shown on both sides of your computer screen.
During the race, you can Press Spacebar to pause the action. This allows all 'greyhound players' the opportunity to examine the expected racing positions of the dogs anywhere around the circuit, therefore, allowing you to study future possibilities of any crowding, bumping or baulking occuring between the runners at any time in a race. Please note: by re-pressing the spacebar the race continues from the exact moment in time, it was originally paused, note also that all winning racetimes or greyhound racing predictions are not effected by pausing then re-starting a race.
As soon as the race finishes, the official result will be displayed, together with the official winning time, the leading dog's fastest sectional time, the track conditions, the race length and each dog's predicted final finishing position!
You may then select Photo to see the actual virtual photo finish as the first greyhound crosses the winning line.
After the race, you may select Race Again. Please note: this limited game feature is only fully functionable in the full registered version!
Registering Greyhound Predictor not only lets you 're-run the race again' with all the dog statistics saved for you and thus informs you of other possible variations of the same race, but most importantly lets you go back and alter quickly any greyhound data that needs to be changed!
To get the very best results, I suggest each race set-up, be run several times with all 'final predictions' written down seperately and studied carefully! in order to obtain the necessary insight required to make an accurate and successful winning bet!
It is with immense gratitude to my own family and friends and the many people, who over the years and more recently via the internet, have shared with me their own greyhound knowledge, that I'm now able to express my own original ideas and general observations in attempting to fully comprehend the complexities involved when studying 'the science of greyhound prediction'.
Dog racing fans, regularly inquire as to the actual 'strike rate' or 'percentage of winners' concerning the accuracy of Greyhound Predictor? However, unlike other greyhound tipping services, we believe, each 'Predictor' will have their own independent strike rate of winners and therefore no percentages are stated. Although, in fairness, I should explain the general probabilities involved in predicting real greyhound races.
Picking dog winners technically speaking, will always be easier in '6 dog racing countries' such as UK, Irish and European greyhound racing, where the probability of backing a winner is theoretically 1 in 6 compared to '8 dog racing nations' such as Australian, New Zealand, North American, South American and Asian greyhound racing, where the probability is always theoretically 1 in 8.
Predicting the first and second in a race, as in greyhound forecasts or quinellas is easier in UK, Irish and European dog racing, as the probability is 1 in 30 (6 x 5) compared to 1 in 56 (8 x 7) in 8 dog greyhound race countries.
The theoretical probability of successfully predicting the first, second and third as in straight tricast bets is 1 in 120 (6 x 5 x 4) in 6 dog racing countries which is obviously more predictable then 8 dog race trifectas where the probability is 1 in 336 (8 x 7 x 6).
Predicting the first four places in correct race order, as in Superfecta bets is only operational in greyhound countries with 8 dog tote pool races such as America and theoretically has a probability of 1 in 1680 (8 x 7 x 6 x 5).
All 'greyhound gamblers' will appreciate that these 'underlying probabilities' always exist when betting on greyhounds.
It is my opinion that a greyhound's fastest time is by far the most important statistic and therefore, I suggest you focus your attention on this 'race-time data', as overall, the accuracy of your predictions will almost certainly depend on the relevant accuracy of the information entered!
GP v2.0 allows you to pre-study middle-distance greyhound races run in real-racetime, it takes into consideration all the so called 'imponderables' and 'variables' and offers you a realistic chance of predicting your own future dog winners!
Greyhound Predictor really is "The tipping tool with a difference!"
We hope you continue to enjoy this unique greyhound racing experience and thank you again for visiting www.greyhoundpredictor.com.
Finally, we'd like to thank everyone, who has registered our software, and wish you all the very best of luck with your future predictions!
Don't forget, if you've any questions or suggestions regarding GreyhoundPredictor or greyhounds in general, then please feel free to contact me.
Lastly, but not least, I'd like to thank Marc personally, for his commitment to my greyhound project and for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to talk about my favourite topic of conversation, a subject I have loved for over forty years; "the exciting world of greyhound racing prediction".
Remember "It's Not a Game? It's a Science!"
Best Wishes,
Guy Slade.
ps: If you would like to watch a greyhound race? without entering all the formlines, or if you fancy a wager amongst friends! Then please check out the Greyhound Predictor Betting Lounge study all the racing formlines for these 'simulated top class races' and place your own private bets! "Now that's what I call a real dog racing game!"
Copyright © 2010 Guy Slade. All rights reserverd.