Introduction
Gives
a brief and broad outline of the direction of the book.
Geoffrey confesses to being a punter, describes his progression through
the Seven Ages of Punting Man, his training in animal behaviour, his first study
of horse behaviour at the races, and his coming of age as a horse watcher.
Chapter
1. A day at the races
Describes
a typical day at the races for a horse watcher, race by race.
Chapter
2. A little looksee
Describes
the initial scientific study of pre-race behaviour done by Geoffrey with his
student, Marie Haskell. This
chapter describes the main variables recorded, including horse fatness, fitness,
and coat condition.
Chapter
3. Eureka!
Describes
the results of the looksee study.
Chapter
4. Fifteen minutes of fame
Describes
the media feeding frenzy that followed publication of the results of the looksee
study in New Scientist magazine.
Chapter
5. Picking losers
Discusses
the main reasons put forward for horses losing.
Chapter
6. Back to the birdcage
Describes
what Geoffrey now looks at in the birdcage stalls, in some detail.
This chapter, together with chapters 7-10, is the guts of the book. It
includes pawing, weaving, and restless behaviour.
Chapter
7. Perving in the parade ring Describes
responses of the horse to tack and equipment, including the bridle and bit,
tongue tie, pacifiers, boots and bandages.
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Chapter
8. Did someone say sex?
Discusses
sexual behaviour of horses.
Chapter
9. Mounting yard misbehaviour
Describes
strapper behaviour, horse posture and gait.
Chapter
10. They’re on the track!
Discusses
sweating and control by the clerk, among others.
Chapter
11. 60 variables and 10,059 horses
Describes
the results of an analysis of 60 of the 65 variables described in Chapters 6 to
10 and how they can be used to pick losing horses. This is the first time that actual statistics (percentages)
on the likely success or failure of horses showing particular behaviours have
been published.
Chapter
12. Betting on behaviour
Proposes
a few ideas for betting on the results of horse watching, including betting for
the win, making a Dutch book and betting for the place.
Chapter
13. Which horse, which race?
Discusses
favourable types of race for betting.
Chapter
14. The Melbourne Cup
Describes
some of the practical difficulties of applying horse-watching techniques to the
Melbourne Cup.
Further
reading
Provides
a comprehensive reading list of all relevant references.
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