SECTIONAL times and analysis of stride patterns are becoming topics of more interest these days. Two horses running this week were of particular interest in this light and have been subject of scrutiny by those pioneering the use of such data.

You look at the career of Too Darn Hot, and it seems it’s been more of a success for the analysts/data men than his expert trainer and rider.

Breeding experts would tell you a son of Dubawi out of a Singspiel mare in Dar Re Mi, who won Group 1s at a mile and a half and who had bred a filly capable of finishing second in a St Leger, was likely to be able to run over a mile and a half.

The tipping experts agreed too. Pricewise put Too Darn Hot up as his main Derby fancy before he ran this year.

But the data experts had noted last year that Too Darn Hot had a shorter, higher cadence (the frequency at which feet hit the ground), and was much more likely suited to a sprinter/miler than a middle-distance horse.

Beaten over 10 furlongs, then twice over a mile, he finally scored an impressive win in the Prix Jean Prat over seven furlongs at Deauville.

Gosden said afterwards “He’s so fast, he’s all about speed, you only have to look at him to see that, he’s a sprinter.” It seemed a victory for the data men!

Then we had a similar case with Visinari. He is by Dark Angel but with stamina on the dam’s side. He could be a sprinter but he has a very long stride – too long for normal sprinters. He looked a bit one-paced, if anything, on Thursday when a close third in the July Stakes. However, the sectionals experts insist he is a top-class animal, even if this week’s actual performance left some doubt.

The more information, the more debate, the more interesting it gets for us. Sectionals, speed genes, stride analysis. Nature, nurture or numbers? Racing gets more interesting by the year!