Sectional Times

We digitally time from race video. Software is used which enables frame by frame analysis, with each frame representing 0.04 secs (25 fps).

In general this means sectional time form data should always be available for any horse on a 7 day backup.

The key factors which have an influence on the accuracy of our sectional times include:

• A video frame represents 0.04 seconds. This logically means the best we can achieve is an accuracy of plus or minus 0.04 seconds.
• Accurate measuring and placement of 200m distance rail markers by race club staff.
• Camera angles which produce a more side-on view as runners pass distance markers, enable a more accurate judgment on the part of our video analysis staff.
• Our timing process requires human interaction with technology. As such, there will always be scope for human error. We have well trained and dedicated staff, supported by software written specifically for the task of compiling sectional times. This software has in-built error checking, designed to prompt staff when a time element falls outside of specified guidelines.

The main outcome we are looking for when compiling sectional times is consistency. A consistent approach produces sectional and 200m split time rankings which enable comparison of the energy distribution of runners, within and across the races of a particular meeting (regardless of any incorrect rail marker positions, difficult camera angles etc).

Our Sectional Pro Form offering includes much more than just raw sectional times. Tight integration within a digital formguide and the way the data is presented / analysed makes a big difference to the form study process and outcome. Regardless of this aspect, there is no other 'free' sectional time coverage which matches the breadth of meetings we cover. It takes an average of 10 man hours to compile the 200m increment sectional times for one meeting. Given that we cover approximately 150 meetings per month, it requires 1,500 man hours to provide the content for a monthly subscription. Please consider this when deciding whether what we offer is 'value-for-money'.

The web based Sectional Pro Form product is packaged for personal-use only. Scraping, storage and further distribution of our web based data (which has a significant cost of compilation) is neither permitted, nor in the spirit of fair play. To encourage 'fair play', we do offer data packages (requiring an additional payment) enabling the user friendly export of raw data via API to other personal-use aplications.