The mechanics of Speed Figures [cog 3]

Weight (w)  = Mass (m)  x Acceleration (g - gravity)

Somebody famous once said "I keep trying to lose weight, but it keeps finding me again"!

The entire world is obsessed with weight, from super skinny size 0 models to the gargantuan sized McDonalds residents that struggle to leave their bed, and the world of horse racing is no different.

Weight plays a large part (no pun intended) in horse racing, as around half of races run are 'handicaps', where the better horses carry more weight than lesser rated opponents. (Each horse has an Official Handicap Rating, click through to http://www.britishhorseracing.com/inside_horseracing/about/whatwedo/handicapping.asp for more details)

How much a few extra lbs really matters to a 1000lb+ racehorse is a subjective question, and there are many views on this subject.

For instance, hardened, old school 'handicappers / horseplayers' (to coin an American phrase) will not hear of any suggestions that weight does not play a part in the outcome of a horse race, while Speed Figure afficionados such as Nick Mordin and Andrew Beyer are of the opposite view.

As a speed figure convert I do not take weight into account when calculting my speed ratings on the all weather, or any flat race for that matter.
If the winner of a race over 5 furlongs earns an adjusted speed figure of 100, the second horse finishing 1 length in rear will earn a speed figure 3.5 points inferior whether he carried 14lbs more weight or 14lbs less weight than the winner.

It is my opinion that, when deciding on my betting strategy for a race, I would rather play an in-form horse with the higher Speed figures in the book, than an out-of-form horse who is subsequently dropping down the handicap
and carrying less weight than the last time he won a race - the horses allocated weights are adjusted for a reason!

However, I do believe weight to be an important factor over the longer distances associated with National Hunt racing.
The invariably bad weather that is associated with Winter racing over obstacles, leads to extremes of going which must have an effect over the marathon distances involved under this code, although it is still possible to carry much more weight than your opponents and still win a race over 26 furlongs in bad ground - just ask Denman....