"My MYM explained": The ramblings of an unique (yard) man

How to interpret my MYM yard notes

The first thing to understand is that apart from the Highway races (country races held on city tracks) most horses present in very good order, ready to race at the Sydney metros. There really are no bad horses.

I have three criteria on how I assess a horse. Type/Attitude/Fitness. The weighting for these criteria depends on the type of track, heavy or good ground and the distance of the race. Type is the most important, then Attitude, then Fitness.

In the below glossary I'm applying these terms to runners in a City grade Maiden 3YO race for 1200m.

Type

'Good type': maybe 1-2 maidens a year I might give this rating. I would expect the horse to win the race and go on to be at least a Saturday horse with an eventual rating of above 80BM points. Good types can win over 1000 or 2000 metres.

'Decent Type': maybe 80 runners a year I would give this rating. Most likely but not exclusively a debutant. Decent types are far more likely to be found in the Spring and Autumn racing season than the off-season occurring in Winter and Summer. A decent type I expect to get to a rating of around 75BM points.

'Average type': this is a horse I consider has the quality appearance to win a Maiden. Most maiden runners of all shapes and sizes I might describe as an average type. This would be 80% of maiden runners.

'OK type': a horse that might be competitive in a city maiden. Can win their maiden, but a horse who will likely struggle in city grade races.

'Nuggety type': this is really a comment on a horse which might prefer 1400m. They don't really look like sprinters or middle distance runners but have a strong appearance and I have a liking for this shape. Yes, they can win a 1000 metre race or over 2000 metres but they look like neither on type.

'Old mate': a horse which the service has a history with. Regularly in the top four numbers and multiple bets have been placed on 'old mate'.

Positive Attitude

'Sharp': this is a horse I deem ready to try his very best.

'Bright': a horse which is feeling good. Rarely, if ever, do 'Bright' horses run poor races.

'Walks with purpose': a horse more relaxed than the 'Sharp' runner but feeling very good and likely self aware. Has a very good mindset about the upcoming contest.

'Relaxed': this can also be interchanged with 'Pro' (short for Professional), a horse who is content in the Mounting Yard, self aware and unfazed about the upcoming contest.

'Jock-up Perk-up': like it sounds, this might be a horse showing a 'Relaxed' or 'Professional' demeanour, but once the jockey is legged-up becomes more excited about the contest. A very good sign. A horse from the Waller stable showing this attribute I give an extra tick as they normally parade relaxed.

'Dude': a horse which is self aware knows and likes its job. My mother used to describe this as a 'happy horse'.

Negative Attitude

'Toey': unlike 'Sharp', 'Toey' is a term I give to horses who appear anxious or nervous about the upcoming race.

'Sweat': depending on the temperature of the day I see sweat on horses as a negative. Depending on where the sweat occurs on the animal I have different negative gradings. Some horses sweat and that's them. Getting to know each horse intrinsically helps a lot.

'Lathered': this is the foamy excrement horses give off. Usually found between the back legs, a small amount is fine, but a lot is of concern.

'Goose': this is a horse which might be a bit 'Green' showing inexperience or bad behaviour.

'Cock out': Like it sounds. Usually a negative, a horse who has his mind on other things. Doesn't always mean the horse won't win as some of the best and future stud horses do show this trait.

Fitness

Important to note that fitness is not as important in races of 1200 metres or less. These are sprint races and "you don't have to be fit to be fast", is an expression I have long known.

'1-2 Short': horse is likely to need the run and is unlikely to have a winning chance. Can be ignored in sprint races IF the attitude is positive.

'1-Short': I expect the horse to perform okay, but will be a better winning chance later in the preparation.

'Forward' or 'Fwd': this is a comment on the horse's condition. The horse is fitter than what the form guide might suggest.

'Perfect Waller': a term I've come to use for a relaxed horse who might be a little fitter than one '1-Short' for the Waller camp. The horse is always 'relaxed' or with a 'Pro' attitude.

'At Top Waller': a relaxed Waller runner that looks very fit. I usually make this comment if it is early in a horse's campaign. It might also be used for a horse that doesn't naturally carry much condition.

'At Top': these horses look very fit and should run a great race. A horse can only maybe hold this for a run or two of their preparation.

'Today': this is a runner I can't imagine parading better this campaign.

'Today or Never': a horse which might run well, but due to a maybe long campaign the horse is likely to need a break from racing to get more condition.

- Rob Scurry, Sydney Mounting Yard Analyst for The Mailbag