WEIGHT Only one in recent years has won carrying over 9st 1lb, twice course 
winner Mine.
Also rare for anything under 8st 7lb.

AGE Nothing over 6years is considered.

RECENT RUN Most winners had an outing that season, only Bold King in 2000 
bucked the trend.

DRAW Middle numbers have held sway, although Iffraj 2005 and Great News 1999 
came from low draws 5 and 2.

Considering all the trends leaves us with Barry Hills ZAAHID, heavily backed 
for the Lincoln before being balloted out was then disappointing in the 
consolation race.
Then went for the Newbury Spring Cup again over 1 mile and IMO was given to 
much to do before running on. Back to 7 furlongs and on better ground this 
might be his chance.
I would have to add to this AL KHALEEJ who I was mightily impressed with at 
Kempton, gone up 9 lb for that but won by 3¼ lengths and must surely come on 
and improve for the race.

Redips wrote:
> WEIGHT Only one in recent years has won carrying over 9st 1lb, twice course 
> winner Mine.
> Also rare for anything under 8st 7lb.
> 
> AGE Nothing over 6years is considered.
> 
> RECENT RUN Most winners had an outing that season, only Bold King in 2000 
> bucked the trend.
> 
> DRAW Middle numbers have held sway, although Iffraj 2005 and Great News 1999 
> came from low draws 5 and 2.
> 
> Considering all the trends leaves us with Barry Hills ZAAHID, heavily backed 
> for the Lincoln before being balloted out was then disappointing in the 
> consolation race.
> Then went for the Newbury Spring Cup again over 1 mile and IMO was given to 
> much to do before running on. Back to 7 furlongs and on better ground this 
> might be his chance.
> I would have to add to this AL KHALEEJ who I was mightily impressed with at 
> Kempton, gone up 9 lb for that but won by 3¼ lengths and must surely come on 
> and improve for the race.
> 
> 
> 

Cheers for that Red - saved me the trouble of looking at stats ;-)

I have though got a book "Racing Trends Revealed" which briefly lists 
trends for every flat race throughout 2008 - it's a good reference 
although a little light on the full stats. For the Victoria Cup the 
author has a couple of pointers most of which you've mentioned -:

- As you say, previous run this season important.
- 6 winners arrived via Kempton or Newmarket.
- Best to stick to those 9-01 or below.
- 4-6yo's dominate.
- Middle to high draws preferred.

LAA RAAYB, Al Khaleej and FISHFORCOMPLIMENTS fit most of the stats but 
are all 'just' on the wrong side of the weights. COUNT CEPRANO though 
fits ALL the stats, double-digit draw, 5yo, raced at Kempton last time, 
carrying a light weight (Great News won this off 7-12) and with a 7lb 
claimer taking more weight off - he could go very well at a massive 
price of 66/1 so I'll have a little e/w on him.
Of the other three, instead of going for Al Khaleej at a fairly short 
price I would probably dutch the other two at 16/1 and 25/1 respectively 
although the favourite is respected as is your pick Zaahid although 
personally I think he needs a bit further.

===================================

Might as well cover a another stats-race today while I have the book open...

Lingfield 3:45
Those with an OR of 100 or more have performed well which only leaves us 
with KYLAYNE while 8 winners came via Newbury or Newmarket which again 
includes Kylayne and Tathkaar and Steam Cuisine also but last 10 winners 
have been priced at less than 7/1 so that rules the last two out, so 
it's KYLAYNE for me there although Alan Dupre's Sabana Perdida is one of 
my best bets today on the breeding front so I'm in a slight quandary so 
maybe I will back KYLAYNE each-way and back the fav to win.

Good Luck