Scientists have now quantified what the horse-racing industry has known for ages: catching cover early and utilizing a late rush is a good tactic to help win races
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Scientists at the Structure and Motion Laboratory at Britain's Royal Veterinary College have concluded that by tucking in cleverly behind the leaders, the horse uses 'aerodynamic drafting' to its advantage.
Authors of a paper regarding the subject have come to the conclusion that "When measured over the entire race, the average speed of a horse goes up the more time it spends tucked in behind other horses;" and that "if you convert that difference in speed into how the horse finishes, it can amount to a gain of three to four places. You don't get any money unless you finish within the first five, so basically it's a big deal."
The study was based on a wealth of racing data which was gathered by TurfTrax Racing, which places a radio-frequency chip in horses' saddles, thus enabling the animal's position to be triangulated at any point in a race.
(With files from the Bangkok Post)