Sectional timing is a route authorities could actually use to illustrate non-triers though it would be no good in any official capacity as the horse could simply be said to have been found coughing after the race or showing a slight lameness in one leg etc. Not that it had been given a 5f full on sprint on the morning of the race at home or such like.

Too many dark areas for me for sectional timing to stand up to scrutiny albeit the times should be closer to the truth in top level racing.

As Phil Bull once said “A time tells you not how good a horse is but how bad it isn’t”

Best WIshes,
Jim

Anything is irrelevant unless that is true, Jim, so – in some ways, and with respect – this comment could be considered irrelevant!

Best,
Matt

Hi Ian

The data should normally be with us two days after racing but that’s a rule of thumb at this stage: sometimes it’s earlier, sometimes later. There are occasional races where TPD need to verify the data and they come in some time after the event. We’re all improving how we do this and hope to have a more constant and timely provision soon.

Regarding transferability, I honestly don’t know. A horse’s ability to handle a different surface is not factored in so, where there is no prior evidence, you’d want to be asking for a bit more on the price to justify the additional unknown. That would be my perspective, at least.

Matt

I am enjoying these articles and trying to as you put it “interact” with the data! I note there is a time delay following the result to the arrival of the sectional data. Is there a specific number of days after the event or does it vary, say from course to course? Also what is your view on the transfer of ability from one surface to another? In other words a horse running well (scoring a good upgrade figure) at Newcastle (AW) then has an entry on Turf.