Jot down on a spare space on the graph...

the class of the six dog’s races they have been campaigned in e.g. A1 class, A2 class, Trials, Open Race class etc. so that you can compare them with the race in hand. Open Races, A1, A2 are all the best class races; A9 and A8 are the weaker races. It can be useful to take note of a dog going down or up in class.

You might ask: why put that on the graph when it is on the race card?
Answer: It is useful to get it all together and it draws it to your attention as a check that you have examined every angle.

The old hands at the dog racing game are always concerned about how fast a dog can get out of the trap.

It can certainly make a difference so it makes sense to include it on the graph. There are two terms that I know of that are used to record this. One is the ‘split time’ and the other term it is known as is the ‘sectional time’ which I think better describes it. The split time is the time it takes a dog to run from the trap to the winning post (or first bend in some races) on its first circuit of the track.

This time can be found under the term S Tm (Split Time) in the race card. It is useful information so it should be entered on the graph near the trap number.

There will be six split times for each of the dogs so pick out the fastest for each dog and then determine which dog can break the quickest; 2nd quickest, 3rd quickest.

Now allocate 1st best split time the Roman Numeral 1; the second quickest Roman Numeral (2) 11 and 3rd quickest Roman Numeral (3) 111.

Instant recognition!

Looking across the graph you can quickly weigh up the split time symbols of the Roman Numerals with the best time* symbols of the circle; the square and the diamond. If any of them coincide; for instance the circle (best time*) with the Roman Numeral 1 (best split time) this means that the dog with the best time in the race is also the fastest getting out of the trap. This could give you an edge in betting on the race.

That’s all for now …

Come racing!!