Racing Post Topspeed/Raceform Speed Ratings

[jt3d3b]

Hi,

Would anyone be able to help me and advise if either of the above ratings are adjusted for weight in the results or are they the bare rating.

Would either publish average speed ratings for each class of racing.

Thanks in advance

[Artemis]

Topspeed ratings are shown in the results after allowing for weight carried and distance behind the winner. Not sure about Raceform, although I would presume they do the same.

To get the averages per class, they can be compared directly with Racing Post Ratings(RPRs) and Official Ratings(ORs). The RPRs ar e usually between 5 and 10lbs higher than the ORs on average.

[scallywag76]

As far as I’m aware the Raceform, Split-Second, ratings do not take weight carried into account. If, after that, you can still take them seriously, I think that ‘par’ figures appear in the Raceform annuals – these are probably geared to the class of race at each individual racecourse.

[jt3d3b]

Many thanks

[GeorgeJ]

jt3d3b

Scallywag is right re the split second ratings in the Raceform form book. There is a description of how the figures are generated in the front of the 2007 Flat Form Book. As regards weight it reads as follows:

"The ratings take no account of the effect of weight, either historically or on the day, and this component is left completely to the user’s discretion. What is shown is a speed rating represented in its purest form, rather than one that has been altered for weight using a mathematical formula that treats all types of horse as if they were the same" (page iv.)

And to give an example at random, the winner of the opening race at Folkestone on 25 September (race 5712), Blue Java, which won by a short head, was given a speed rating of 96 for that performance, with the runner up 95. The winner carried 8.07, the runner up 9.05.

This is quite different from how Raceform treated weight in relation to speed years ago, when on the Flat "The numbers at the end of each race indicate the Speed Figures of the first six after each horse has been brought to 9st. and calculations made for going, wind and distances behind winner. These are shown strictly in "past the post" order … To find Speed Figures for future races add 1 point for each 1lb. weighted below 9st. and deduct 1 point for each 1lb. and abive 9st. Highest resultant figure is best" (1987 Flat Annual, page xvi).

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