Basic Information for UK

Hello,

I am from UK and am interested in RSA racing which is bet on from UK with bookmakers and Betfair.
Apart from the names of horses, riders and trainers there is little information available in UK to actually make any meaningful selections from.
I have Googled for some RSA information but it seems so far to be either quite basic or very fragmented.
So, may I ask some general questions:

What are the best web based information sources?

Where are the pre-race penetrometer readings or going published?

Where is the "merit" rating of each horse published at the time it races?

Are there any standard (par) race times for each course?

Are there any sectional times, draw (barrier) statistics or pace data ?

What do the AB symbols after each horse mean?

Is there any data on favourites win rates at various courses and race types?

Are the courses at Bloemfontein, New Market and Randjesfontein still operational?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Robert

Hi Rob,without any subscription cost I would think that you could achieve a lot with a)formgrids.co.za(presently site under maintenance b)sportingpost.co.za and navigate around.Should get you started at least.

robert99, let me see if I can help as best I can:

Best web based info as rob says probably formgrids and sportingpost (free but need to register); tabonline provides more detailed info, but it is a subscription service.

Going and penetrometer I usually find on tabgold.

You should find the MR in any of the above formlines

Standard/par times I think is only available in Computaform (subscription service from tabonline)

Computaform (and Winning Form) publishes some limited sectional timing as well as barrier stats

A = Allumite shoes; B = Blinkers

I think Winnng Form may have some stats regarding the winning percentages of favorites

Bloemfontein and Newmarket sadly defunct; Randjiesfontein a training centre.

Welcome to the forum Robert,i use Formgrids/Sporting post/winning form and a pin,you will find links for Formgrids and Sporting Post at the top of the Page..

www.tabgold.co.za (Gold Circle KZN and W.Cape operator)
www.tabonline.co.za (Gauteng and other regions operator)

These sites will give you raceday card changes and going for the day, and results and toatalisator prices you can also print Racecards and Form guides for free from these sites.

www.bookies.co.za
Very informative Bookmakers prices and claims for all South African Racing

Thank you all kindly for all the help.
I am getting my head round it gradually.
I like the SSI stats - we don't have that published in UK.
If I can return the favour with any UK information would be pleased to do so.

Formgrid is not back up today as advertised, so I await viewing that.

Looking at Sporting Post there are a few more queries:

Are the ratings, including Merit, all adjusted for the weight carried in today's race or are ratings to a fixed standard weight or what?

What is the difference between an AR (ability rating?) and an RR (race rating?)

Are adjusted racetimes adjusted for going or weight carried today or what?

Weight carried often has an "a" after the value - what is that?


Some general queries:

Are the sand tracks run on a graded sand or is this a form of polytrack (with fibres and wax etc)?

Can you access Tellytrack from the web?

Are past race videos available?

Is there a 6% tax on all winning bets for non-residents?

Thanks in advance,
Robert

Thank you all kindly for all the help.
I am getting my head round it gradually.
I like the SSI stats - we don't have that published in UK.
If I can return the favour with any UK information would be pleased to do so.

Formgrid is not back up today as advertised, so I await viewing that. Temp ADDY

Looking at Sporting Post there are a few more queries:

Are the ratings, including Merit, all adjusted for the weight carried in today's race or are ratings to a fixed standard weight or what?

What is the difference between an AR (ability rating?) and an RR (race rating?)

Are adjusted racetimes adjusted for going or weight carried today or what?

Weight carried often has an "a" after the value - what is that?


Some general queries:

Are the sand tracks run on a graded sand or is this a form of polytrack (with fibres and wax etc)? Sand

Can you access Tellytrack from the web? No but you can watch the racing from Interbet or Betfair

Are past race videos available? No

Is there a 6% tax on all winning bets for non-residents? yes

Thanks in advance,
Robert

Are past race videos available? No

Yes Tellytrack sell them

Looking at Sporting Post there are a few more queries:

Are the ratings, including Merit, all adjusted for the weight carried in today's race or are ratings to a fixed standard weight or what?
Not sure I understand the quesion

What is the difference between an AR (ability rating?) and an RR (race rating?)
AR is basically the Sporting Post's rating of the horse's ability - like the MR (Merit Rating) is the NHA's official 'ability' rating of the horse; the RR is the Sporting Post's predicted rating for the horse in the specific race - taking into account factors like weight carried, distance, draw etc.

Are adjusted racetimes adjusted for going or weight carried today or what?
Computaform has a 'Speed Rating' which is supposed to be adjusted depending on the going and weight carried; not sure about Sporting Post

Weight carried often has an "a" after the value - what is that?
In Sporting Post 'a' = Allumite shoes worn; in Computaform 'A' - Allumite shoes worn