File spec question

[ERNIE2]

In the export program HTR4MSAC
Under the heading "nSPCA"
what do the five numbers represent ? I can find an explaination for 3 of them but not all five.
Thanks for your help.

[Sam Thorp]

1 = first time starter.
2 = horse that just broke its maiden in its last race.
3 = sprint to route
4 = route to sprint
5 = first lifetime start on grass
0 = none of the above conditions

What I never did understand is how it treated a horse which qualified in multiple ways.


You'll find docomentation to all the factors of the exporter in the file htr4msa.txt, which can be found on the software page with htr4msa.exe

[Rick]

Ken Massa will have to answer that one.

It is HTR4MSA.exe and HTR4MSA.txt that can be found on the download page.

The custom program HTR4MSAC.exe and an explanation of the additional fields can be requested from me or most members that use them.

[Ken Massa]

re: HTR4MSA / nSPCA data field (special items code).

I checked the source code and the horse will receive the first item to which it qualifies in the order listed.

So it fails in detecting multiple circumstances such as a horse that just broke its maiden and is now entered on grass and a route for the first time.

This issue has been addressed in HTR2001 export and there will be no such overlap in that version. Separate data fields were created for each item.

However, the nSPCA has plenty of merit as is. For example, research into maiden races finds that very few horses that are 4/1 or less - that are first time starters at distances beyond 6f, ever win and have a horrendous ROI - contrary to their 'hot' board action. Also = horses going from sprint to route in claimers that are #1 rFR1 or #1 rESP are excellent value plays - particularly if they have a +10 or more eSP dif from Impact.