Hello, welcome and thank you for visiting my greyhound prediction pages, my name is Guy Slade. I collect greyhound racing memorabilia, mainly old race programmes! and enjoy following the open race dog scene here in the United Kingdom. In the past I've also attended meetings at dog tracks in the USA and Australia.
In this article I explain how to predict your own future race winners by using the Greyhound Predictor v2.0 software program and will be discussing the various racing statistics and dog formlines needed 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 now offers 'greyhound punters' worldwide the chance to interactively bet on the dogs. This has created many opportunities for all predictors of dog races, with newly promised increases in UK Super Jackpot payouts, live internet race betting facilities and the increasingly popular number of dog racing web-sites, never before has the dog racegoer experienced such a revolution in greyhound racing information and technology.
To start predicting your own future greyhound winners, I firstly however, 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!
"Greyhound Predictor Software" lets you predict dog races run over 3 middle-distance race lengths. These include: 515 metres = 563 yards, 500 metres = 547 yards and 480 metres = 525 yards. When choosing to predict a race, try selecting a race run exactly over or very close to any of these three 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 Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0 then you can download a free trial. Initially you will be taken to the Information Boxes, click I Agree to start the program running. Please note: The Greyhound Predictor v2.0 trial version is 'free to try' before you buy!
Once the dog race simulator has loaded Press Spacebar to move through the information screens to Main Menu, from here you can select either Predictor, Betting, Gallery, Information or Options. I suggest, you start by selecting Options from the Main Menu.
Greyhound Predictor 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 either '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 up Greyhound Predictor both six or eight dog races run in metres or yards, kilos or pounds, will only 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 answer by using the Up/Down/Left/Right Cursor Keys situated on your keyboard, when you have selected your answer Press Spacebar to continue.
The 'Race Predictor' requires you to answer ten dog racing question categories for each selected dog runner. The first 3 questions however, always relate to each individual race set-up. Please read on.
In this section, I mention the most famous greyhound races run in the United Kingdom and their associated race venues and compare Irish and English greyhound grades with American and Australian grades. I also explain how to use 'Greyhound Predictor Software' to simulate dogs that may have been raised or lowered in race grade.
Please note: We now 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 American dog racing all top class races 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 dog races are classified as 'Group Races' and are generally referred to as FFA's (Free For All's).
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 lets you predict dog races run over all standards of 'middle-distance' race grades!
Major Events and Race Venues:
Out of all the Category 1 greyhound classics run annually, the English Greyhound Derby (Wimbledon) first run at the White City Stadium, London in 1927 - won this year by Westmead Lord, completing a hat trick of classic wins for Uk greyhound trainer and breeder Nick Savva - and the Irish Greyhound Derby (Shelbourne Park, Dublin) first held in 1934, are respectfully still considered today, the two most important and famous races that all uk trainers and owners want to win.
Other National 'dog derbies' held in the British Isles include the Scottish Derby (Shawfield) first held at Carntyne, Glasgow in 1928 and the recently re-instated Welsh Derby (Swansea) first run in 1928 at the old White City, Cardiff.
Famous British greyhound events include the English St Ledger (originally run in 1928 at the old Wembley Stadium), The Grand National and The Oaks (Wimbledon), Irish St Ledger (Limerick), Irish Cesarewitch (Mullingar), Irish Guineas (Waterford), The Arc, Grand Prix and Racing Post Festival (Walthamstow), Gold Collar (run at Belle Vue, Manchester over the new 590m distance - formerly staged at the now demolished Catford Stadium, London), Scurry Gold Cup (Perry Barr), Blue Riband and Prestige (Hall Green), The Champion Stakes (Romford), The Eclipse, National Sprint (Nottingham), The Cesarewitch (Oxford), Irish Champion Stakes, 600, Tote Gold Cup and Easter Cup (Shelbourne Park), Irish Laurels (Cork), Irish National Sprint (formerly run at the recently closed Ballyskeagh greyhound stadium), Cox Cup (Newbridge), Tipperary Cup (Thurles), Reading Masters (Reading), Golden Jacket, (Crayford), All England Cup (Brough Park), The Olympic, Regency, Sussex Cup (Hove) and the new 'Classic' to be run at (Sunderland) in May 2007 etc.
Other famous races held in the UK include: The Cock o' the North (Belle Vue), The Boxing Day Marathon (Oxford), The Fret Not Stakes, Dorando Marathon run on dog derby night and of course the TV Trophy all now staged at Wimbledon Stadium, London).
International Greyhound Events' staged annually include the Anglo-Irish International (Dundalk), Festival of Racing (Lifford), Galway Festival (Galway) and occasional American-Irish Challenges.
There are also 'Invitational races' (IR's), such as the The Trainers Championship held this year 20th March 2007 at Hall Green greyhound stadium Birmingham and won by UK greyhound trainer Charlie Lister. The Select Stakes (Nottingham), Dransfield Invitation (Sheffield) and the odd Showdown (Match Racing).
Important UK open class races include: Northern Flat, Gorton Cup (Belle Vue), Midland Flat (Hall Green), East Anglian Derby (Yarmouth), Kent Derby, Silver Salver (Sittingbourne), Peterborough Derby (Peterborough), Circuit, Silver Collar, Test (Walthamstow), Guy's and Dolls, Kent St Ledger (Crayford), St Mungo Cup (Shawfield), Corn Cuchulainn (Harolds Cross), Birmingham Cup (Perry Barr), Brighton Belle (Hove), Coronation Cup, Essex Vase and Golden Sprint (Romford), Golden Jubilee 509, Pride of the West (Swindon), Pall Mall, Trafalgar Cup, Oxfordshire Gold Cup (Oxford), National Oaks (Nottingham), Regal Gold Cup (Sunderland), Northumberland Plate (Brough Park), Milton Keynes Derby, Summer Derby (Coventry) previously held at the now closed Milton Keynes dog track, Peterborough Derby, Fengate Collar (Peterborough), Golden Muzzle (Portsmouth), Golden Crest (Poole), Henlow Derby (Henlow), Steel City Cup and 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 also 'opens' for both Puppies and Veterans. These races are always preceded in the formlines by a standard race prefix ie: (P) = puppy races and (V) = veteran races.
UK puppy open races include: The English Puppy Derby and Juvenile (Wimbledon), Irish Puppy Derby (Harolds Cross), Puppy Oaks (Shelbourne Park), Irish Produce Stakes (Clonmel), Juvenile Classic (Tralee), Puppy Cup (Romford), Puppy Classic (Nottingham), 58th T-Y-O Produce Stakes (Swindon), UK Graphite Puppy Derby (Walthamstow), 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 Veteran's Derby (Peterborough).
Other standard race prefixes that always precede the race grading and indicate to the type of greyhound race include: (H) = Hurdle Races and (CH) = Chase Races (two extra hurdles are added).
Famous UK hurdle races include the English Grand National originally run in 1927 at the White City Stadium (London), Springbox, Champion Hurdle, Sherrys Prince Hurdles (Wimbledon), Irish Grand National (Harold's Cross), Christmas Hurdle (Oxford) etc.
All 'Open Class' greyhound competitions attract the very best quality of dogs and bitches and represent the best UK standard of dog racing class.
The very best of these 'canine racing machines' are capable of producing greyhound speeds close to 40 mph / 65 km/ph! Although, the very fastest dog racing 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 greyhound time recorded over a race distance of 515 metres or 563 yards is 28.88 secs by the 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!
Alternatively, the fastest time achieved over a race distance of 480 metres or 525 yards was recently recorded (08/09/07) in the U.K. at Monmore Green near Wolverhampton in the midlands (track circumference 419 metres) and is 27.81 secs by Blonde Dino trained by John Mullins (Unattached). This represents an average speed around a track of 38.60 mph!
The equivalent Irish national record for 525 yards or 480 metres was recently 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 in a heat of the Ballygodoon stud Puppy Stakes run at Limerick 17/06/07.
However, bursts of top greyhound acceleration speeds along the straights close to 45 miles per hour / 72 km/h have also reportedly been achieved.
The vast majority of dog races run at greyhound tracks worldwide are known as 'graded races' and for the benefit of the 'Predictor' are divided into 3 middle-distance race grade categories:-
U.K. - Top Grade - (A1 - A3) equilavent to American grades (A, AA, B) and Australian greyhound racing grades (1, 2). Many of these top grade dogs will also compete in major race events and generally average race speeds around a track between 38-39 mph.
U.K. - Middle Grade - (A4 - A6) equilavent to American greyhound grades (C, D) and Australian dog grades (3, 3/4, 4). Many of these so called average middle-graded dogs, that regularly run at some of the very best greyhound tracks may often be the equal of 'A1' graded dogs running at perhaps lesser not so good tracks. These racing hounds 'average greyhound speeds' around a track between 37-38 mph.
U.K. - Low Grade - (A7 - A11) equilavent to American dog 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 race grades. Most runners competing in low grade races generally record dog speeds between 35-37 mph.
There are also other types of racing grades that can take place during a race meeting, these dog grade statistics are always represented in the race formlines by a standard greyhound racing prefix, eg: (KC) = Kennel Championships, (KS) = Kennel Sweepstakes, (TC) = Trainer's Championships, (IT) = Intertrack Racing, (Hcp) = Handicap Racing and the very occasional (QS) = Quickstakes (2 or 3 semi-finals take place with the race final being held at the same dog meeting.)
Knowing the grade of a greyhound race is extremely important to all 'dog racing enthusiasts' as it estimates the expected level of racing performance and therefore implies the general race standard. I personally consider a greyhound's current race grade will reflect past race performances and be relative to each dog's previously recorded racetimes!
All 'dog gamblers' 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 to back a not so good dog 'raised in class' running well?
"If only I had a crystal ball" I hear you say!!
This is one of many decisions that face all of us 'greyhound punters' around the world, when trying to predict the future outcomes of tightly graded dog races.
I personally think, successfully predicting 'graded races' (GR's) will invariably be more challenging than predicting 'open class races' (OR's) as generally 'the grader' grades the races very closely, according to each dog's individual racing ability with only very small differences in racetimes to choose between the runners.
To obtain the best results from the 'Predictor' I suggest you choose the very best dog races to predict, such as UK Open Races, American SA's or Australian FFA's, as the dogs competing in these, the highest standard of greyhound racing grades, are not only considered perhaps more consistent in overall race performances, but more importantly, the 'open race grade' allows dogs to compete against other 'canine competitors' with much greater differences in racing ability, which can be especially noticeable during the early rounds of dog competitions and therefore theoretically makes the 'open race grade' more predictable than the graded race, although unfortunately for all of us 'racing punters' these differences in the standards of the dogs, will no doubt be reflected in the individual prices quoted as the odds of a greyhound race!
For all those 'well informed dog enthusiasts' and already registered Greyhound Predictors who may wish to simulate dogs that may have been 'raised in class' or 'lowered in grade', then I suggest, the best way to represent a change in race grade, would be to alter a dog's best time! For example, if you consider a certain greyhound has been 'raised in grade' or 'upped in class' (ie: for winning races or running well) then you should perhaps add on time ie: approximately 0.10 or 0.15 seconds to that dogs fastest time, as any greyhound now competing 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 are perhaps less likely to obtain the necessary trouble free or clear run in a race, in order to reproduce their very fastest or best racetimes. Although, sometimes 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 quicker racing dogs and will despite an up-lift in racing grade, continue to produce and improve their fastest or best racing times. For further information on entering racetimes, please see racetimes section.
Alternatively, if you wished to simulate greyhounds 'lowered in grade' or 'dropped in class' (ie: for losing races or running badly) then surprisingly perhaps you may need to deduct approximately 0.10 or 0.15 secs. from a greyhound's fastest/best racetime, as all dogs raced recently at a higher standard of race will theoretically when 'lowered in class' or 'dropped in race grade' have a better chance of performing well, when running against perhaps lesser rivals with fractionally slower overall race and sectional times, therefore downgraded dogs are often 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 take off an appropriate amount of race-time from a dog's best racing time, that you consider will best simulate greyhounds racing around the track that have been dropped or lowered in racing grade.
I'd also like to mention in the interests of the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' that since the dogs themselves, remain blissfully unaware of the 'racing class' or 'dog grade', they are currently racing in or have previously competed at, therefore you may 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 greyhound statistic that informs you the grade of a dog race is usually located to the left of the race length which is usually found in the top right corner of each race heading.
Now select the correct grade category and press spacebar to enter.
In this section, I explain how different dog track surfaces effect the performances of greyhounds with various running styles and why this may effect your future race predictions. Greyhound Predictor Racetrack dimensions are also stated.
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 correct going conditions? or state of the track? is indeed a vital element that all serious 'greyhound predictors' should consider when predicting the future outcomes of dog races!
These days the vast majority of greyhound races take place on sand tracks, although originally many of today's prestigious events were first run on grass tracks. Other types of racing surfaces include the 'loam tracks' used at some of the Australian dog tracks and of course the nearly forgotten 'cinder tracks' of greyhound racing's historical past!
All greyhound establishments try to maintain a fair and safe racing circuit for all competing greyhounds, by regularly rolling flat and watering the sand surface of a track, however, this can often be a difficult task to achieve, as all track surfaces are constantly effected by adverse weather conditions. Therefore, all greyhounds fortunate to race on a faster running surface then their competitors, will obviously have the advantage theoretically of being able to produce faster quicker racetimes! This 'advantage' or alternatively considered 'disadvantage' in the bias of the race conditions, 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 greyhound track. (Further information on entering Racing Lines)
I suggest that the first thing all 'Predictors' should do when attending a greyhound meeting is to check the condition of the racetrack!
Knowing how the track is currently running, is extremely important and a major advantage in finding winners given to all 'trackside punters', 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 any such previous winning greyhounds, running at that race meeting, then decide for yourself, which racing line, if any, has the advantage on those particular race surface conditions.
Greyhound Predictor Software allows four types of racetrack conditions to be simulated:-
A Fast Track (+0.40 secs = GP state of going adjustment) Racing on firm going in warm or hot atmospheric temperatures often creates a 'fast running track' and generally gives an advantage to the 'inside early paced runners'. This type of going helps greyhounds produce very quick sectional times and allows those 'fast away dogs' to stretch out and record extremely quick winning racetimes! It is usually on 'fast ground conditions' in the summer months that 'track records' maybe achieved, although a hard frozen track in mid-winter may also be considered a fast track and overall generally benefits the 'quick away runners'.
A Normal Track (0.00 secs) All greyhounds racing on a normal racetrack surface, should produce normal race and sectional times, as this type of track surface should be considered fair to all racing lines and running styles of racing greyhounds.
A Slow Track (-0.40 secs) Winter dog racing in cold temperatures on 'sloppy' or 'boggy' racing conditions will produce slower race and sectional times and overall generally favours the 'strong finishing type' of dog. The winning race-times being 'slower run' than normal racing times will 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 rainshower often makes a track run a little faster than normal, although persistent heavy rainfall generally slow speeds down and overall tends to favour dogs racing on the 'outside' or more precisely 'middle to wide' running dogs. Water generally settles onto the inside, most noticeable around steeply banked bends, due to the natural contours and cambers of a greyhound track. The inside racing surface may become waterlogged creating soft or heavy going racetrack conditions and a slower racing line for all dogs running the rails! Therefore, all 'railers' that naturally race 'close to the fence' are slowed down due to the wet track conditions, whereas greyhounds that 'move off ' the rail coursing more of a 'middle', 'wide' or 'very wide' running line will frequently have the advantage on a rain soaked track of running on a faster race surface.
All 'regular punters' will know the importance of predicting accurately the surface conditions of a dog track, this should never be overlooked or forgotten as 'weather conditions' effect race results and therefore, play an important and vital role in understanding the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction'!
Now enter Fast, Normal, Slow or Wet racing track conditions.
Please also see English Dog Track Circumferences, Hare Types and Race Surfaces.
In this section, I mention the general dog racing lengths used in the United Kingdom and explain how different race prefixes are shown in the greyhound formlines to identify each particular length of race. A link to English, Irish, Scottish and Old Welsh dog track distances can be found at the bottom of this page.
Greyhound Predictor Software lets you predict 3 standard middle-distance race lengths. These include:- 515 metres = 563 yards, 500 metres = 547 yards and 480 metres = 525 yards. When predicting a greyhound race, try selecting a race run exactly over or very close to any of these race distances to obtain the best and most accurate dog racing predictions!
As previously mentioned you may select all 'greyhound distances' to be displayed in either metres or yards by selecting Options from the Main Menu. Alternatively, you can pre-set your own racing distances by finding the Configuration Utility on your computer: (Start - Programs - Greyhound Predictor v2.0 - Configuration) this allows all dog race length settings to be shown in either metres or yards, as the default mode of your choice, eachtime you start up Greyhound Predictor, only then will these distances be saved for you.
Generally there are 4 main greyhound race lengths. In the U.K. a raceform prefix (abbreviated letter) is always shown in the formlines before the 'race grade' to represent the type of race distance, 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.
Occasionally races will be run over a distance, where the positioning of the starting traps provides the greyhounds with only a short run to the first corner, these races are frequently disliked amongst 'greyhound gamblers' as they often result in 1st bend trouble occurring, due to the distinct 'lack of racing room' afforded the runners and therefore these particular race lengths with very short run-ups to the initial turn, will always be considered perhaps 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 you wish to predict and enter the distance of race!
You've now completed the first of three 'race set up' questions. The 'Predictor' will then ask you to answer a further set of seven questions, by once again, studying the race formlines in your newspaper for each selected race 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) 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.
Please also see British Greyhound Track Lengths.
In this section, I shall be explaining the current number of runners allowed in a dog race and will be discussing the importance of the trap draw and how greyhound racing differs around the world. Also mentioned is our reasons for choosing the various racing jacket colours now used in Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0.
Greyhound Predictor Software allows all types of trap draw, 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 racing the maximum number of runners presently permitted is 8 dogs, although previously both nine and ten dog races regularly took place.
In the U.K. the present maximum amount of runners is limited to six dogs, although in the past both five and eight dog greyhound races were also a regular feature.
In English dog racing, 'races are seeded' meaning dogs who consistently run an inside racing line, will be issued with a 'rails tag' and will be 'seeded to the rails', the first railer drawn from the 'trap draw' will always occupy the first available inside trap position. Middle track running dogs are always given a 'middle tag' and are hence seeded middle, please note, the first middle seed drawn out, will always occupy the first available trap position placed on the inside of the nearest wide runner. Wide and very wide dogs are given a 'wide tag' and are always 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 will always indicate to a wide runner. Only very rarely when there are six wides in a greyhound race 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 'open class' greyhounds when first trialed for a forthcoming open event will 'run a track' differently and alter their natural race 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 be granted when it is genuinely believed this dog would benefit or perhaps perform better if allowed to start future races from a different trap 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 very early stages of a race and perhaps more importantly, encourages dogs to perform to their maximum racing capabilities.
Alternatively in Australian and American racing there is 'no seeding' any dog 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 always 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 'dog race statistics' when entered into the GP Stat Screen effect the overall running performances of individual dogs racing around the GP Racetrack. This can best be observed by conducting your own private greyhound trials!
Please note: The option to trial dogs and 'race again' is only fully functional in the full registered version.
All regular 'dog racing fans' when predicting greyhound races that include 'vacant traps' will appreciate, that any dog placed in any 'adjacent trap' to a vacant trap or non runner, is thought generally 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 initial stages of a greyhound race. However, this should not always 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 greyhound numbers or trap runners as they race around the track. Since governing bodies worldwide use different race colours, there can often be a general confusion and difficulty in identifying the correct trap numbers when watching greyhound racing on television or viewing via the Internet. This confusion in the identification of the runners will always exist until all greyhound jacket colours around the world, are perhaps 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 Version 2.0.
Our reasons for selecting these 8 trap racing colours were as follows: The first 3 trap colours, Red = 1, Blue = 2 and White = 3 just so happen to be the same colours used by the UK, European and American greyhound industries, therefore, the choice of selecting these race colours was made simply for us.
Choosing the next 3 trap colours was a little more difficult to say the least, as each of the main greyhound nations use different colours for all three middle trap positions, after careful thought and consideration, we decided to stay with and use the British and European 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 simply for us, as the American dog industry use the color of Green and White Stripes = Trap 7 which just so happened to be the same racing coat color as the old trap seven colours used in previously held eight dog races in the British Isles.
Lastly, it was decided the jacket colour of trap 8 should represent the Australian greyhound industry and therefore, the famous Pink Jacket = Trap 8 used for racing in Australia was chosen.
In this section, I explain how to find out the correct gender, colour and breeding of a greyhound and give my reasons why this could effect race performances. I also discuss how to calculate the approximate number of weeks out of season, in order to simulate female dogs racing on the greyhound predictor racetrack after a seasonal rest.
Knowing the sex type or gender of a greyhound is very important as it will provide a good indication to the overall consistency of performances. All racing greyhounds, throughout their track 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 and overall are considered perhaps more consistent in race performances than bitches. 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 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 race 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 'greyhound racegoers' when studying dog form will pay particular attention to the 'breeding lines' of all competing greyhounds and will 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 dog breeding, these greyhound litters with top class pedigrees, are said to be "bred in the purple". These much sought after young 'greyhound saplings' often have colourings and markings and show similar 'racing traits' to their parents, (racing styles, pace type, common race distances etc.) For further information on breeding lines 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 at a much earlier age.
Now check your newspaper.
The UK greyhound raceform statistic that informs you the gender of a greyhound 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 dog 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 a greyhound's 'seasonal date' is yet another very important factor to take into consideration, as it generally gives a clue to a bitch's level of fitness. Most bitches returning from a seasonal lay off will usually 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 the passing of time and a few trials this lactose will dry up and often within a few races these fresh 'seasoned racing bitches' may start to show signs of returning to peak racing form (change in running style, faster sectionals, improvement in racetimes etc.)
It is generally considered amongst dog men and woman 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 find their 'top racing form' sooner perhaps at 14 weeks out of season, while others may indeed be slower 'coming to hand' and will take longer, perhaps between 18-24 weeks from season.
Please note; when 'female dogs' begin to show signs of better form, they will often continue to improve and run consistently well for a 'period of weeks' as generally they follow their own natural cycle of either 'coming into form' or 'going out of form'.
As the old greyhound adage says, "It often pays to follow a bitch in form"
Now check your newspaper again. The raceform data statistic that tells you the 'seasonal date of a bitch' is often located to the right of the 'whelping date' which is usually found to the right of the dam's name and will be written as follows:- (Ssn 01 Jan 05).
Seasonal Date Not Known - If No Season Date (nsd) appears in the race formlines, this suggests this bitch has not yet experienced 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 also suggest you select Suppressed.
Seasonal Date Known - If a seasonal date appears in the formlines, then select Known. If you've selected Known? - The following question will be asked:
To answer this question simply calculate the approximate number of weeks that have elapsed, since this bitch's last seasonal date occurred.
Another way to answer this question, is to study all the relevant raceform for all these 'female greyhounds' and literally by reading between the racing formlines, decide for yourself, whether she's 'in form' or 'out of form'? If you consider she's running well in top racing condition, then I suggest, you enter 16 weeks out of season! The GP dog racing simulator will then simulate this bitch running at the very top of her form. Alternatively, if you consider she's currently racing 'out of form'? then I suggest you leave the number of weeks out of season blank = 00, the 'Predictor' will then simulate this dog running 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 a dog's age may effect it's race performance. Also please check out our links to Greyhound Welfare sites in the hope of rehoming retired ex-racing dogs.
Knowing a greyhound's age is yet another very important factor to take into consideration when predicting races, as it indicates to the dog's future racing potential and overall implies to the consistency of racing performances.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 Software allows all dog racing ages to be entered in months.
In all UK greyhound racing form dog ages are always taken from the first day of the month they were born, even if born on the last day of the month!
All dogs less than 24 months of age are classified as 'greyhound puppies'. These inexperienced 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 young dogs that achieve a 'grading in time', will make their race debuts between 15-18 months of age.
Dog trainers sometimes choose 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 said to be "open to improvement" and usually improve rapidly over a short period of time, as overall they possess good future racing potential, which is always thought a good sign, when predicting future greyhound winners. However, 'greyhound pups' frequently run a little 'green' and race inconsistently, as obviously young puppies are still learning to win dog races.
I personally consider most greyhounds reach 'racing maturity' between 21-30 months of age and believe dogs and bitches of this age range to be the perfect racing age for greyhounds running over middle distance race lengths.
Older greyhounds lets say between 36-48 months old will most probably be competing in their second or third racing season, these mature experienced race dogs are usually battle hardened to the hustle and bustle of regular races, having acquired 'good racing trackcraft' and therefore often produce very consistent racing performances, illustrated by the close proximity of their recorded racetimes.
A greyhound's racing career is a short one! as dogs still racing at an age of 54-60 months old, will be approaching the twilight of their careers and sadly many of these fondly remembered 'greyhound veterans' will be retired, although there are always exceptions to the rule, as a few 'seasoned old campaigners' may continue to compete and win greyhound races at perhaps 70 or 80 months old. However, many of these 'veteran racers' are past their best and generally lack that bit of spark or back-straight pace they once possessed!
Please note: The Greyhound Predictor website now has a page dedicated to 'greyhound rescue sites' if you can in anyway help in the re-homing of retired racing greyhounds then please look at our greyhound rescue page.
Now check your racing newspaper.
To know how old a greyhound is? you need to find the raceform statistic known as the 'whelping date' this data 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 this greyhound's age in months.
In this section, I shall be explaining how small fluctuations in a dog's weight may effect it's race performance and will be discussing the merits and present urgent need for a modern greyhound museum to be based here in the United Kingdom.
Greyhound Predictor Version 2.0 Software Program allows all dog racing weights to be entered in either Kilos or Pounds. All English, Scottish, Australian, New Zealand and European greyhounds are weighed in Kilograms. Irish and American racing dogs in pounds.
Knowing a greyhound's weight is extremely important, as it provides the opportunity to compare current racing weights with previous race weights, in order to determine a dog's true racing weight condition.
Dogs on average weigh between 28 - 36 Kilos = 62 - 80 Lbs. and stand 71-76 cms tall, being larger in size then bitches, they often come out on top when bumping or baulking occurs between them, dogs generally are thought fearless when racing and usually show great determination and bravery to the pleasure of their owners and trainers, however, some male racing dogs consistently find race trouble and may sometimes be considered a little clumsy. Some of these big long striding dogs are perhaps better suited to wider galloping tracks although they do often have an advantage over bitches when racetrack conditions underfoot are wet or sloppy.
Bitches, on the other hand, on average weigh between 22 - 31 Kilos = 48 - 68 Lbs. and stand 68 -71 cms tall, they protect themselves a little more than dogs when racing and generally possess good racing trackcraft, as being smaller in size, they can squeeze through racing gaps that perhaps a bigger dog wouldn't dare to go.
Finding out the correct racing weights may often prove difficult as generally the only way of knowing the current racing weight of a greyhound is to actually go to the track and check out the weights! This is a major advantage in selecting winners given to all 'trackside racegoers' and is a major reason why so many 'dog racing professionals' love to go greyhound racing!
I suggest to all Predictors of races, that the second thing you should always do when attending a meeting, is to check the 'greyhound weight sheet' supplied and displayed at your local dog stadium or park.
Advancements in modern day technology may in the future afford many 'off track punters' with this current weight information, although, many 'stay at home predictors' will still not know previous racing weights in order to compare them, however, those more astute regular 'greyhound enthusiasts' and experienced 'dog punters' might be able to check previous racing weights, by simply referring back to their more recent old race programmes.
If as is generally the case, the current racing weight of a dog 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 to a normal racing weight.
Now enter this greyhound's weight in kilos or Lbs.
Once the weight of a dog has been entered into the Greyhound Predictor Stat Screen, the following question will be asked:-
All trainers when preparing dogs for racing, will try to maintain a general level of fitness, this can best be observed by studying the variations in a dog's racing weight.
All greyhounds have their own optimum weight known simply to me as their 'perfect racing weight', this weight may only be known perhaps, to the trainer and maybe the dog owners! When a dog weighs close to it's perfect weight, this implies to the racereader that this dogs fully tuned up and therefore, ready to produce it's best racing performance.
I suggest, when first using Greyhound Predictor, you initially start trialing dogs around the GP racetrack in order to fully understand, how different weight variations and changes in weight conditions effect the individual running performances of dogs. Please note this is only fully functional in the full registered version.
All dogs vary in weight from race to race. In United Kingdom 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 racing weight rules.
Greyhound Predictor V2.0 allows all types of racing weight conditions to be simulated!
A greyhound weighing below it's normal racing weight is said to be 'under weight' or perhaps 'down in weight' and is generally considered a good positive sign! as losing weight suggests this dog will race fitter having been well exercised. I personally believe 'under weight dogs' will produce fractionally slower than normal race sectional times, but will compensate for this by having a little 'more stamina' in the finishing stages of a race.
Occasionally a few dog's when kennelled for a short period of time before racing, will be prone to 'kennel fretting' (become nervous or get over excited) and for these reasons, 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 may result in greyhounds running inconsistently and not performing to the best of their abilities (missed breaks, early faders etc.). Please note, all puppies with an 'under weight racing condition' is also generally considered a negative sign!
When there is little or 'no weight variation' between a dogs current or previous racing weight, you should select a 'normal racing weight condition', this is usually seen as a good sign as the 'consistency of weight' always indicates to the general well being of the dog. Please note any greyhound that in it's last race had previously been thought well down in weight and was running in today's race weighing approximately the same weight, then perhaps this greyhound should still be considered down in weight, even though the dogs weight remains the same! As a greyhound previously running overweight, remaining at that weight for it's next race should also still be considered up in weight!
Many canine racers returning to the track after a short rest or lamness, maybe considered a little 'over weight' or perhaps 'up in weight'. This is always thought a negative sign, as it suggests they're overfed or perhaps not exercised enough. I personally consider this race weight condition makes the greyhounds initially stronger in the early stages of a race and genuinely believe these 'over weight dogs' produce fractionally faster than normal sectional times, although generally, they will 'start to fade' a little sooner then they would normally do in the latter stages of a dog race.
I believe some dog handlers may occasionally elect to put a bit of weight on a greyhound in order to help dogs trap out faster and produce breaking speeds fractionally quicker then their normal sectional times, 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 young pups putting on weight is alternatively considered a good positive sign, as it suggests the pup is still growing and therefore, open to improvement!
If as is generally the case you don't know a dogs weight condition then select Not Known.
Knowing the correct weight or racing condition of a greyhound, is usually only afforded to 'trackside punters' who can workout a dog's true weight condition simply by checking the 'weight sheet' and comparing it against previous racing weights displayed in their official racecards. Personally when weighing up the formlines of a dog race, the one vital factor, besides perhaps 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 pre-study a greyhound's weight combined with an accurate estimation of it's 'perfect racing weight' is of vital importance to the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' as knowing correctly a dog's racing weight condition will always play a significant role in obtaining accurate dog racing predictions and is an important reason why so many 'greyhound people' like going to the dogs!
However, greyhound racing weights can also be very misleading, lets imagine a situation for example, that my favourite greyhound 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 today at a weight = 27.6 kg. Would you consider her racing 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 dog race weights are so often misunderstood! In the above example, 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 racing weight = 28.0 kg then I would have considered her to be 0.4 kg under weight!
All 'predictors of races' will understand the importance of accurately assessing the perfect weight of a greyhound and will appreciate, greyhounds up in weight can still be under weight and greyhounds down in weight can still be over weight! Most of us already know that dogs generally are heavier then bitches, although interestingly enough, actually knowing the exact weight of a greyhound, is on it's own, of little use to 'professional predictors' unless you're able to compare current racing weights with previous racing weights.
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 'racing enthusiasts' enjoy 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! :-)
Now enter this greyhound's weight condition - Under, Normal, Over or Not-Known.
In this section, I shall be discussing how to simulate the real racing times of greyhounds and will be explaining the importance of entering accurately the fastest/average race and sectional times into the Predictor Stat Screen.
The 'Predictor' requires you to enter the best recent time of a greyhound, this is generally referred to as the fastest racetime or best time recorded over the current race distance within the last 3 months.
Knowing a dog's fastest time is extremely important as it indicates to the maximum or top racing performance, which in turn implies the grade or class of the greyhound and interestingly lets all of us 'predictors' calculate a dog's average racing speed around a greyhound track. (see GP Version 1)
Greyhound Predictor version 2.0 allows all greyhound racing times to be entered!
Since most 'dog race punters' 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 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 time, in order to bring these 'real greyhound times' into line with the Greyhound Predictor Racetimes. To find out the correct amount of time that maybe required to adjust these dog times, I recommend, you first trial individual dogs with 'different racetimes' over 'different race distances' run at various worldwide stadiums with 'different track circumferences' and 'race dimensions' and then decide for yourself how these timings compare and adjust accordingly, as we say "It's not a Game? It's a Science!"
Greyhound times can be very misleading, for instance, if a dog lets say has only raced once over a certain race length, then this greyhound is obviously 'open to improvement' and will probably in future races be able to improve on their fastest time, where as a dog running many times over the same race distance, may invariable struggle to reproduce their very fastest times. Alternatively a dog or bitch thats previously posted a very quick racetime, but is now returning to the track after a season, short rest, spell of lamness or is currently running 'out of form' will also frequently struggle to reproduce their very best 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 in the past recorded much faster times 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 has yet to race or trial over the current race distance, therefore, you will need to enter an alternative racetime from one of it's previous races, run perhaps over a different race distance or achieved at a different greyhound track or alternatively you can always enter your own pre-adjusted racetime in order to best simulate the real-time race performances of these greyhounds racing around a track.
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 racetime that correctly reflects a dog's true racing ability.
Greyhound Predictor v2.0 allows abnormally fast or slow racetimes to be entered, although this 'special racing feature' technically is incorrect, it does however, allow the individual 'race predictor' the chance to simulate greyhound races run over slightly shorter or longer middle-distance race lengths and not only offers more variations in sectional timings and incorporates wider winning race margins but also most importantly lets you enjoy further the fun element to Greyhound Predictor! see also Betting Lounge!
Only the 'Predictor', gives you this ability to simulate future races run in real race-time, this is the key to a successful winning race prediction and makes our greyhound software program a unique greyhound racing tipping tool!
Now check your newspaper. This dog formline statistic is usually written as Best Time or as an abbreviation (BRT) = Best Recent Time or Fastest Racetime and can be found in the formlines directly below the breeding lines of each individual greyhound.
Now enter a greyhound's Best Recent 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 leaving the traps!
Greyhound Predictor allows all 'real-time sectionals' over all initial run-up distances to be entered. However, if, as in some Australian and American greyhound racing formlines 'No sectional time' to the winning line is given, then simply leave your answer blank = 00.00 secs, the 'Predictor' will set this dog an average sectional time based on your answer entered for a greyhound's pace type, for example a dog with an 'early pace' racing style 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. See Pace Types.
As most dog tracks around the world usually have different 'run-up distances' from the starting boxes to the winning line, due to the variations in greyhound track sizes, I suggest, if you wished to simulate sectional times not relevant to the GP sectional times, then you should once again always feel free to 'add on or take off' an appropriate amount of race-time to a greyhound's sectional time, in order to best bring these 'split timings' into line with the GP Racetrack sectional times.
I personally recommend, when using the 'Predictor' that you select the longer race distance of 515 metres or 563 yards, as this length of race will better simulate the sectional timings and exact distances between the dogs, that are perhaps more relevant and similar to the dog races at your local track, therefore improving your chances of predicting accurately the correct racing positions and initial breaking times of the greys as they cross the winning line first time around the circuit!
Now check your greyhound newspaper.
The 'sectional times' are usually located directly below each greyhound's name and are normally 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.)
The 'Predictor' allows the opportunity to simulate 'missed breaks' by adding on time to a dog's sectional break time. As a general rule in determining short dog racing distances: 0.08 secs = 1 length, 0.04 secs = 1/2 length, 0.02 =1/4 length and 0.01 = head, although, it has come to my attention that the time it takes a dog 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 2 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 nearly all British greyhound tracks with six dog runner races, 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 running hare' and theoretically! always has the advantage of being able to see the hare go past first! On the other hand Trap One being the furthest away from an outside hare, is theoretically always the last dog to see the lure. Therefore, for these reasons wide running early paced greyhounds ie; Trap 5 or Trap 6 invariable break fast from an outside trap position but generally don't get out so well when placed in the 'middle traps' or 'coffin boxes'.
Alternatively, greyhounds raced from an inside or rails position ie: Traps 1 or 2 often improve their sectional breaking times when drawn further out to the middle of the racetrack, as theoretically they see the hare go past fractionally sooner being drawn nearer to it, while greyhounds producing fast trapping times from the middle trap positions ie: Traps 3 and 4 may 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 hare fractionally later.
For races in America and at most dog tracks in Australia, predicting the correct 'breaking speeds' is interestingly the opposite way around, as the greyhound drawn closest to an 'inside hare' at the time of 'trap release' is Trap 1 which always theoretically has the advantage of being the first dog to see an inside running lure, 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 Greyhound Predictor Software are programmed to follow an outside hare, I would suggest to all Australian and American Predictors that they may need to quicken up the racetimes of the inside runners in order to better simulate dogs chasing an inside running hare!
Knowing why dog breaking times may alter due to the trap draw, box draw or post positions is vitally important for all 'dog racing punters' 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 dog will 'miss the break' and be left trailing the field, if for example, this greyhound was an 'early paced runner', then a dog with this type of pace, in it's own eagerness to catch up and rejoin the front runners, 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 badly baulking = +0.30secs that may occur at any time in a race!
Now check your newspaper and compare all the 'sectional times' relevant to the current race distance your predicting.
Now enter the best sectional time of a greyhound.
You can answer this question in either metres or yards, by simply entering the 'race length' of the best recent time.
I suggest all 'greyhound predictors' experiment by entering different race distances of a dog's best time into the Stat Screen in order to fully understand how changes in race lengths effect the overall racetimes in the Predictor.
Another way perhaps, to simulate dogs that have been raised up in class or lowered in race grade, would be to add on or delete approximately 2 or 3 metres or yards to the race distance entered for a greyhound's best time, if you so desired!
Now check your newspaper.
The raceform stat indicating the length of a dog 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.
All 'UK Greyhound Predictors' please note, it's now possible to simulate 480 and 500 metre racetimes on Greyhound Predictor's 515 metre racetrack! Please read on, as I'd also like to mention to all 'American Race Predictors' that since many middle-distance greyhound races in the United States are run over a race distance of 5/16 of a mile = 550 yards, this distance is approximately = 503 metres, technically when using the 'Predictor' you may feel you should always use the closest race distance to the race length your predicting ie: 547 yards or 500 metres and indeed you can, however, I would in preference suggest, you select the longer race distance of 563 yards or 515 metres, as this race length will better represent a typical American race with a longer run to the first bend seen at American greyhound parks. Now enter your 'actual racetimes' as before but instead of entering the race distance of fastest time as 550 yards or approximately 503 metres, I recommend, 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 technically incorrect, my reasons for suggesting this are two fold, firstly as previously mentioned, selecting this 'longer race distance' will help to better simulate the real sectional times recorded by American dogs in typical American races with a 'long run to the first bend' and secondly and more importantly, the Greyhound Predictor Racetrack generally runs a little faster then an average sized American dog track, due to it's own racetrack scale specifications, ie: bigger track circumference, therefore, all genuine American racetimes entered remain more significant and extremely relevant to the winning racetimes recorded over this slightly longer race distance of 563 yards or 515 metres!
Now enter the race distance of the best recent time.
The "Predictor" requires you to enter your estimate of a greyhound's average racetime. Please note there is no greyhound stat that tells you a dog's average time!
Knowing the average racetime provides an overview of each dog's times and indicates to the general racing standard of a race. To answer this question, you must calculate the average of all the 'calculated racetimes' relevant to the race distance you're predicting, in order to enter an average time that best reflects the 'average race-time' of a greyhound over this particular race length. Some 'Predictors' 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).
All 'greyhound predictors' should be aware of misleading racetimes, mis-prints, hand timings (HT or Hnd Tm) and those races run over the same race distance but in fact recorded on another greyhound track!
Now check your newspaper, all calculated times are located to the extreme right of each greyhound's racing formlines.
Now enter this greyhounds average racetime.
To work out the average sectional time you need to look at all the 'previous sectional times' recorded over this race length and simply enter your estimate of the average sectional time. Please note, the Predictor allows 'average race sectionals' to be left blank, each dog's sectional time will then be set an average sectional time based on your answer entered for a greyhound's pace type.
If a greyhound has No sectional times displayed over the distance, then this dog has yet to race or trial over the current race length, therefore you must enter your estimate of the average sectional time, by perhaps comparing 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 a dog.
Greyhound Predictor uses the abbreviation A.R.T. which stands for Average Race Time. Please note, this dog statistic should not be confused with the American Raceform Stat 'actual race time'.
Now, enter the distance of the Average Race Time.
Please also see British Track Records and Dates.
In this section I explain how to determine the correct racing pace of a greyhound and discuss the various advantages and disadvantages of individual racing styles. American Chartwriters, studying sectional timings and reading raceform comments are also included.
All dogs competing in races have their own individual racing style, this is best illustrated by observing a greyhound's pace in running.
Greyhound Predictor Software allows the choice of 4 pace types:
Early Pace - This type of pace generally produces very fast sectional times as all 'quick away' dogs reach their fastest racing speeds in the early stages of a greyhound 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 the pace and race clear into an unassailable lead! However, early pace greyhounds inevitably tire and often fade dramatically in the closing stages of a race.
Middle Pace - Dogs with this pace type generally produce average sectionals and are seen to best effect when accelerating along the backstraights in the middle stages of a race. However, middle paced greyhounds are often denied 'racing room' as they frequently find themselves surrounded closely by other dogs racing in a tightly packed field and for this reason are perhaps more likely to be involved in race interference then other greyhound racing pace types and therefore maybe impeded (Imp) or forced to check (Ck) when challenging at the first or third bends.
Finishing Pace - Greyhounds with this style of racing pace usually produce slow sectional times, as they do their best running, when making ground from the rear of the field and challenging for the lead towards the end of a race. These strong running 'finishing dogs' being generally slower away from the traps, then other pace types, often unwittingly benefit when 1st bend trouble or crowding occurs up-front amongst the leading dogs. However, dogs that 'finish well' have to pass and avoid all the other dogs in-front of them and therefore for this reason are frequently hampered or forced to run wide and generally 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 running style generally produce all combinations of fast, average or slow 'sectional times' and usually maintain a 'strong pace' throughout a race, although, this style of running maybe sometimes considered a little one paced!
Now check your newspaper.
To know a 'dog's pace type', you must literally read between the formlines, as there is no specific dog statistic or greyhound racing data that tells you the pace of a greyhound. However, clues are given and overall, there are 3 ways to calculate a greyhound's pace:-
1 - Studying Sectional Times - Firstly by comparing 'sectional times' over the same race course and distance, informs you which greyhounds are 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 Australian dog programmes.
2 - Reading Race Remarks - The following raceform comments will 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 dogs win races at both ends ie. by generally leading from the start or by staying on strongly at the end and therefore will share 'race comments' very similar to other dog pace types and overall are perhaps seen best when breaking well and holding a good early racing position!
3 - Observing the Race Positions - In UK greyhound racing formlines, all previous race positions of the dogs are recorded in all official racecards at various points around the track. For standard middle-distance races, the positions for each greyhound are shown at the 1st bend, 2nd bend, 3rd bend, 4th bend and finishing position. These racing statistics are found in all UK race programmes to the right of the 'sectional times' and always provide an accurate guide to a greyhound's type of pace, 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, will 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 pace' or an 'all round pace' are always a little harder to determine!
All 'American racegoers' rely on the 'official chart writers' who determine a dog's overall race position at various points around a dog track:-
Off Call or Break Call - This is the greyhounds position 1-8 coming from the starting boxes.
The 1/8 Call, 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 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 all 'greyhound spectators' should do while attending a meeting, is to go "out for a shout" and take a look at the greyhounds on parade, I personally look for 'alert dogs' that appear 'mean and keen' with their tail tucked preferably down, well 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 dogs, is to keep watching the dogs after the race has finished. 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 always help to identify the correct racing pace of a greyhound for all your future dog racing predictions!
Now enter Early, Middle, Finishing or All Round Pace.
In this section, I explain how to read the greyhound formlines to find out the correct racing line of a greyhound and will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of these race lines and how they may vary from track to track depending on the different types of artificial lures used.
Greyhound Predictor Software allows you to select a Standard Racing Line or to Define your Own and offers an amazing 16,384 individual racing lines!
All combinations of the following 4 dog racing track positions can be entered and simulated.
Rails - All runners racing on the 'inside' of a greyhound track are known as 'railers' and always have the advantage of running the shortest route around a circuit. This ability for an 'inside tracker' to hold the rails position in a race is extremely important, as they benefit when other dogs are crowded (crd) or badly baulked (b blk) to their outside, therefore, these "paint scrapers" avoid trouble in a race, by slipping through along this inside racing line! however, unlike all other racing paths 'tight railing dogs' may not always maintain their maximum racing speeds around the bends, due to the acuteness of this particular running line!
Middle - Greyhounds 'moving off' the inside rail and running more of a middle course around a track are better placed to maintain their maximum speeds throughout a race, although middle track running dogs generally run a little further in distance, than inside runners 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 running a wide course are usually favoured by wet racing conditions and often benefit in races when trouble occurs involving the inside runners. However, these wide running dogs race on the outer racing line of a track and therefore, have to run much further in racing distance compared to 'inside' and 'middle' running greyhounds 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 any greyhounds, racing on the 'outside perimeter' obviously lose many lengths around the corners and run much further in distance compared to other racing routes. However, very wide dog racers are also favoured by wet racetrack conditions and often avoid trouble in a race, by taking this extremely wide route, although occasionally these very wide runners may end up racing on the wrong side of an outside hare rail!
All racing dogs chasing artificial hares or mechanical lures will generally follow their own natural running paths, although, this will always depend on whether a greyhound chases an 'inside' or 'outside' running hare!
In American and most Australian racing tracks an inside hare rail is generally used and therefore, dogs tend to run much closer to the rails. Alternatively, the vast majority of racing in the U.K. takes place behind an outside hare and therefore, dogs generally run further out in the middle to wide areas of the racetrack, this is most noticeable watching greyhounds racing out of the turns and running along the straights!
Now check your racing newspaper.
To find out the correct racing line of a greyhound you should always read the raceform comments!
In English 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 have selected a Standard Racing Line then a standard race line for each trap position will be highlighted on the Track Screen and will display the default racing line for each trap or post position.
Please note: if you have selected Define Own the Track Screen will highlight each position and ask you to choose any combination of either rails, middle, wide or very wide racing lines for the following seven Greyhound Predictor Track Positions:-
You've now completed all the form data required for Trap Number 1. If you've made any mistakes when entering the greyhound statistics, the 'Predictor' lets you go back and select any question again, in order to alter any 'stat' that may need to be changed!
The 'Race Simulator' requires you to enter this dog into the traps, to do this simply highlight Enter at the bottom of the Stat Screen and Press Spacebar to continue.
Please repeat the above procedure for all remaining trap runners. As soon as the last dog has been entered into the 'Race Predictor' the track will appear to you.
In this final section of the 'Science of Greyhound Racing Prediction' I explain the best ways to use our greyhound software to view your own future dog races, and will be discussing the relevant probabilities of achieving a successful winning dog race prediction.
Now sit back and watch real-time simulated greyhound racing in the comfort of your own home!
Once the Greyhound Predictor v2.0 racetrack has loaded, you may 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 or the distance travelled by each greyhound at any point around the track and is shown at the bottom of your screen.
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 'race predictor' shown on both sides of your computer screen.
At all times, during the race, you can Press Spacebar to Pause the Action, this allows those slightly more serious 'dog race punters' the opportunity to view and examine the expected racing positions of any dog anywhere around the racetrack, therefore, permits you to study the future possibilities of any crowding, bumping or baulking occurring between the runners at any time in a race. Please note by re-pressing the spacebar the race continues from the exact same 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 a scoreboard shows the official result together with each dog's final finishing position, the official winning time, the leading dog's fastest sectional time, the track conditions, the race length and of course the final race prediction!
You may select Photo to see the actual photo finish as the first greyhound crossed the winning line.
Please Note: Already registered 'Greyhound Predictors' will be given the choice to select Race Again, this limited game feature is only fully functionable in the full registered version!
Registering Greyhound Predictor Software not only allows the opportunity to 're-run the race' with the same greyhound statistics, therefore, informing you of other possible variations and future outcomes of the same race, but also most importantly lets you go back and alter quickly any greyhound data that may need to be changed!
To get the very best results from the 'Predictor' I suggest each individual race set-up be run 'several times' with all final race predictions written down separately and studied carefully, in order to improve your chances of obtaining the necessary insight required to make an accurate and successful winning prediction!
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 their own greyhound knowledge with me, 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'.
Many people regularly ask about the actual 'strike rate' or 'percentage of winners' concerning the accuracy of the Predictor, here at Greyhound Predictor we believe that each individual person will have their own independent strike rate of winners and therefore no percentages of accuracy are stated, although, in fairness, I should explain to you the general probabilities involved in accurately predicting real greyhound race winners.
Picking dog winners technically speaking, will always be easier in '6 dog racing countries' such as U.K. 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, American, South American and Asian greyhound racing, where the probability is always theoretically 1 in 8.
Predicting the first and second as in greyhound forecasts or quinellas is easier in U.K. 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 Supertrifecta bets is only operational in greyhound countries with 8 dog tote pool races and theoretically has a probability of 1 in 1680 (8 x 7 x 6 x 5).
All 'greyhound fans' will appreciate that these 'underlying probabilities' always exist when betting on greyhounds.
In this final conclusion, it is my opinion, out of all the Greyhound Predictor questions asked, the accuracy of your answer entered for a greyhound's best time, is by far the most important greyhound stat and therefore, I recommend you pay particular attention to this raceform statistic, as overall, the accuracy of the 'Predictor' will no doubt almost certainly depend on the relevant 'accuracy' of the information entered!
Only the 'Predictor' lets 'dog racing enthusiasts' worldwide, 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 accurately predicting your own future race winners!
The Greyhound Predictor Software really is "The tipping tool with a difference!"
I hope you enjoy this unique greyhound racing experience and thank you again for visiting www.greyhoundpredictor.com.
Finally, we'd like to thank all the people, that have registered our software, and wish you and everyone the very best of luck with all your future predictions!
Don't forget, if you have 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 all his work and commitment to my greyhound project, in helping make my dog racing dreams come true and for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to talk about my favourite subject; the fantastic and exciting Sport of Greyhound Racing.
Remember "It's Not a Game? It's a Science!"
Best Wishes,
Guy Slade.
ps: If you would like to see a race? without entering all the greyhound formlines, or if you fancy a wager amongst friends! Then please check out Greyhound Predictor Betting Lounge, study the 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 © 2008 Guy Slade. All rights reserved.