Things I ought to know... Vol. I

[dean smith]

I'm embarrassed to ask these things, but I have to admit I'm kind of foggy on some things relating to the start of the race.

In the "Comments" section of the PPs, what does "Off bit slow" mean? Is it different than "Off slow"? And what exactly are "Bobbled at start" and "Steadied at start"? I understand they are rough starts, but what exactly is going on and which is more severe? Finally, what is "Waited bit 1/4" or "Waited 1/4"?

Can somebody please help a brother out?

[cakes44]

Different chartcallers call all these things differently, so trouble lines are near worthless IMO. If you are plan on actually making bets based on these things, ignore "bobbled" completely. That should be judged by yourself on replays.

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by dean smith

I'm embarrassed to ask these things, but I have to admit I'm kind of foggy on some things relating to the start of the race.

In the "Comments" section of the PPs, what does "Off bit slow" mean? Is it different than "Off slow"? And what exactly are "Bobbled at start" and "Steadied at start"? I understand they are rough starts, but what exactly is going on and which is more severe? Finally, what is "Waited bit 1/4" or "Waited 1/4"?

Can somebody please help a brother out?

You have nothing to be embarrassed about at all. There are people on here with far more experience than you that don't know what they are saying or doing.

To the point though. Off slow and Off a bit slow is pretty much just an arbitrary choice of wording by the chartmaker.

Steadied at start usually would involve horses colliding, while bobbling at the start would best be described as a self caused stumble. Usually it's nothing overly damaging to the chances of the horse running, unless maybe it's a speedball in a sprint.

If you'd like an example of a small bobble, watch Einstein at the start of the Foster, from post 3.

[hockey2315]

"Waited 1/4" usually means the horse was stuck on the rail with horse and had to wait to get room to run. I wouldn't really take all those different bad start comments differently. Like cakes said, most chartcallers have their own phrasing/preferences. The full charts might give you more insight into trips but, of course, nothing really compares to video replays.

[dean smith]

Originally Posted by Indian Charlie

You have nothing to be embarrassed about at all. There are people on here with far more experience than you that don't know what they are saying or doing.

To the point though. Off slow and Off a bit slow is pretty much just an arbitrary choice of wording by the chartmaker.

Steadied at start usually would involve horses colliding, while bobbling at the start would best be described as a self caused stumble. Usually it's nothing overly damaging to the chances of the horse running, unless maybe it's a speedball in a sprint.

If you'd like an example of a small bobble, watch Einstein at the start of the Foster, from post 3.

Thanks, guys. So, does off bit slow/off slow just mean the horse was a step or two slow out of the gate? (asked Mr. Obvious)

[hockey2315]

Yup

[the_fat_man]

I'd fire off an email to Eric Donovan. He's the trouble line (term) specialist when it comes to trip handicapping.

[Linny]

Alot is opinion and then there's context. A few weeks ago I came across a deep closer with a comment like "Taken up start" and went and watched the replay. He's a consistent closer but he happens to usually break well and runs "with the pack" for a couple of strides before dropping back for one run. He did his usual and suddenly the comment writer noticed it and mentioned it. He started fine and was taken back (as usual) after 4-5 strides, then closed late.
Terms like bobbled (stumbled?) taken up, off slow, off bit slow are pretty subjevtive. One man's bad start is another man's bobble.
In comments about late moves there is a bit more clarity. Steadied 1/8 pole or squeezed inside is clear but that "determined" rally might have looked good because the leader was quitting.