It's amazing how people look for horse racing winners in the racing program or on the track but seldom look for them in the paddock.
Before the race begins you'll see people poring over their racing forms and watching the post parade, but you'll see many fewer people actually standing at the paddock rail watching the horses as they are saddled and prepared to race.
Horses are an open book when it comes to showing you how they feel and whether they are sharp as a tack or dull.
Just look in their eyes and you'll learn a lot.
You can't see their eyes when they're on the track, but as they circle in the paddock, just a few feet from the rail, you can see them very well.
Dull eyes mean a dull effort.
Dull coat means a horse that is probably not very healthy.
Shiny eyes and alert means a horse that is ready to run.
No, you can't always pick a winner in the paddock, but you can tell a lot about a horse by looking at it.
I like to see them sweating a little before the race, but not excessively.
That means the motor is running, but the horse isn't melting down.
I do advocate using a program and form to handicap, but the process of finding horse racing winners doesn't stop there.
Actually looking at the horses will tell you how the horse is feeling today and that is as important as how it ran two weeks ago.
Your best chance of studying the runners is when they are in the paddock.
You can not only watch the horses, but you can also watch the jockeys and how they act.
If a jockey is too relaxed before the race, it may mean that he isn't going to try and knows that he will be going for a joy ride and getting some air.
On the other hand, if he is too nervous and tense, it may be that he and the horse do not communicate well.
While most professional riders can pilot almost any horse, once in a while, horse and rider clash and they don't do well together.
It's fine to look for winners on paper or in the post parade, but after you've spotted a few, go and check them out in the flesh.
Make notes of what you see and then, when the horse races again, compare notes.
If the horses appearance has improved, look for an improved effort.
This works particularly well in the lower claiming ranks.