The mind of a stalker

[Ash Tarasin]

Does anyone have an idea of why stalkers sometimes just don't fire? They may be positioned the exact same way in two different races with similar competition and speed, yet in the one race they spark and in the other they just seem to shrug off the race wanting to go back home.

Is it just random capriciousness of the dice? Randomness in combination with something else, or something else entirely?

[Ash Tarasin]

I reckon they need to be somewhat close to the frontrunners and then get a decent diceroll for the last stretch.
I would also think a lot of frontrunners in the race would benefit the stalker but then they also run the risk of positioning themselves far back in the field. They never seem to run well with loads of early speed and no closers.

[Cleo Patra]

This happens in real life OFTEN and it’s usually because the pace up front doesn’t let up at all. If your leaders are running sectionals in the 11 seconds to the furlong range, you’d have to run 9 to the furlong to catch them and the fastest horses in the world can’t do that. In Australian racing the general rule is 1 second equals 6 lengths. Stalkers and closers tend to denominate when the leaders start slowing up to 12.5 to the furlong as they get tired. And also when there is track bias away from the rail.

[Ash Tarasin]

Thorough answer! Thank you! <3

[The Steward]

Wow this is so NOT what I thought this thread was about.

[Rochelle Bos]

Wow this is so NOT what I thought this thread was about.

SAME

[Ash Tarasin]

Wow this is so NOT what I thought this thread was about.

Caught your attention, did I not?

[Nena Olson]

Wow this is so NOT what I thought this thread was about.

SAME! I was like 'Im scared to click...'

[Jennifer Blake]

Wow this is so NOT what I thought this thread was about.

I saw the title and immediately thought I was missing out on a crime show on Netflix.