Updated
A pace map is a visual layout of the expected race shape, showing each runner's typical running style — front-runner, prominent stalker, mid-division, or hold-up closer — based on their last 5-6 runs. Punters use pace maps before a race to predict whether the pace will be honest (favouring closers) or slow (favouring front-runners). A field of pure front-runners often produces a hot pace that sets up the deep closers; a field with one lone leader often produces a soft pace that lets the leader steal it.
By analysing each horse's recent in-running comments. Phrases like 'made all' or 'led' bucket as front-runner; 'prominent' or 'tracked leaders' as prominent; 'midfield' as mid-division; 'held up in rear' as hold-up. The bucket is taken from the opening clause of each comment, because that describes the rider's early positioning — the most stable signal across runs. Aggregated over 5-6 recent runs, you get the horse's habitual style.
Three big reads: (1) Three or more confirmed front-runners often produce a pace duel — they go too fast and burn out, advantaging closers. (2) A lone front-runner with no challengers can dictate from the front; if the pace is soft, they're tough to catch. (3) A field with no front-runners often produces a slow gallop that turns the finish into a sprint — staying types and deep closers struggle.
Every unsettled racecard at /racecards/[id] shows a pace map panel above the runner table — four colour-coded lanes (Front-runners / Prominent / Mid-division / Hold-up) with each runner placed by cloth number and a one-line punter verdict on the likely race shape.
Both, but for different reasons. In sprints, pace shape rarely changes mid-race so the front-runner with a clean lead is hard to peg back. In stayers and middle-distance races, pace shape can transform the race — a fast early gallop neutralises front-runners and lets the closer come home over them; a slow gallop hands it to the leader.
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