BETTING ESSENTIALS - BJ says - "Working my way through it. It is a helluva book, very detailed."

Warren Block's Daily Report - Sunday, 17 May 2026

• Matrix day-by-day results for Sunday and Monday racing
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Personal Print
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Result

Matrix day-by-day results for Sunday and Monday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Sunday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Sunday and Monday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Personal Print

The Wizard publishes on this page one of its Wizard reports or special features, either completely or a part thereof. Today, a Wizard Personal Print. The full report and all other reports for all meetings for today are available now for subscribers.

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am, and updated around 12 noon, each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic, RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier, Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - RG says:  A book for everyone. No confusing words, all is clearly explained.

Warren Block's Daily Report - Monday, 18 May 2026

• Trainer-Jockey Combinations - Last 4 weeks
• Matrix - day by day analysis for Monday and Tuesday racing
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Essentials report
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results and Weekly Summary

Trainer-Jockey Winning Combinations - Last 4 weeks

Each Monday I post a table showing the stables that have won at least 5 races over the previous 4 weeks and list the jockeys who rode at least one of those winners, as well as their total rides for the stable, during that period.

Identifying in-form and "outperforming" trainer-jockey combinations should be a key component of any form analysts race/horse assessment and this Wizard report can help you to identify these combinations.

Matrix - day by day analysis for Monday and Tuesday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Monday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Monday and Tuesday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Essentials report

The Wizard publishes on this page one of its Wizard reports or special features, either completely or a part thereof. Today it is a Wizard Essentials Wrat 4 report. The full report and all other reports for all meetings for today are available now for subscribers.

The Wizard Essentials report is a very useful resource, for key data that race handicappers need is at their fingertips. Included are the Wizard's four ratings assessments, each focusing on different time-proven ways of rating runners, and other key (likely) performance indicators, some of which are unique to the Wizard. For example, the Filter and Negatives assessments, the in-running (pace) insights, and form pattern stats (RFS).

 In addition to this Essentials WRat4 report there is also an Essentials Full-Field version available.

Click here for an explanation of the Wizard Essentials Report.

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results and Weekly Summary

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows last week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations, which draw directly on the contributions of the Raceday and Magic reports, are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website around 10:30am, and updated at 12 noon, each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic,  RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier, Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

Some of the more notable double-figure winners last week that were top rated on WMod, WHcp, WExpk and/or top-rated (WRat-1) or rated second top (WRat-2):

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - RA says: "As a disciple of Don (Scott) I found your analysis breathtakingly detailed."

Warren Block's Daily Report - Tuesday, 19 May 2026

• "Winningest" jockeys and Winning Jockeys back-on
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Raceday report
• Matrix - day by day analysis of Tuesday and Wednesday racing
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Results

"Winningest" jockeys and Winning Jockeys back-on

Here is the list of jockeys who rode at least a double at any of the Tab meetings last week, along with the trainers for whom they rode the winners. This table is colour coded to highlight the outperformers and it is definitely worth noting these riders and combinations.

It is also worth noting when a jockey who has previously won on a horse is replacing a rider who has not done so. Whilst history shows that this is not a prime indicator of likely success, it is significant in some cases.

The list below shows the winning horses last week that raced with a (previous) winning jockey replacing a rider who had not previously been successful on the horse.

Matrix - day by day analysis of Tuesday and Wednesday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Tuesday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Tuesday and Wednesday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Raceday report

The Wizard publishes on this page one of its Wizard reports or special features, either completely or a part thereof, and today the Wizard Freebie is the Wizard Raceday for two meetings. The full Raceday Report and the other Wizard reports for all meetings are now available to subscribers.

The Raceday report is an important component of the Wizard's uniquely successful race-morning MATRIX report whose Selectives consistently outperform traditional rating methodologie

Click here for a full explanation of the Wizard Raceday Report.

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic, RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier, Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - IM says: "The money management and staking chapter is vital for any success".

Warren Block's Daily Report - Wednesday, 20 May 2026

• The "winningest" trainers report - Spotlight on Glenn Stevenson
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Watch report
• Matrix - day by day analysis of Wednesday & Thursday racing
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Results

Australia's "winningest" trainers last week - SPOTLIGHT on Glenn Stevenson

Here is the list of trainers who trained at least a double at any of the Tab meetings last week, along with the jockeys for who rode the winners. This table is colour coded to highlight the outperformers and it is worth noting these stables and the combinations.

A key factor to be considered in selection-making is the stable, and the trainer-jockey combination. The Wizard weekly "winningest" trainer report is a valuable guide as to which stable/trainer and jockey-trainer combination is currently in form.

To add to this weekly insight, we SPOTLIGHT a particular stable and post an in-depth coverage of its record with different riders, over a period of two years.

The Jockey/Trainer combinations that are included here are based on the following criteria: The Jockey/Trainer combination is listed when a jockey's record shows at least 2 wins when riding the Wizard top-rater, or at least 3 wins when riding the race favourite, or 4 wins if the runner is in the $2.00 to $5.90 odds range, for that stable. Also included are the overall percentage stats for the jockey when riding a Wizard top-rater or race favourite, for any stable. Note, that these stats cover the rider's results in all races, irrespective of location

Here is the SNAPHOT PROFILE on Glenn Stevenson (via ChatGPT and other sources), which makes for some interesting reading.

Glenn Stevenson is a Tasmanian-based trainer operating out of Wesley Vale, near Devonport. He has been one of the more prominent trainers in the state over the past decade and has around 400 career wins so far. In the 2024-2025 season he trained 44 winners with a strike rate on 18.1%. In the first nine months of this season his strike rate is 20.3%, and his runners have recorded an Impact Value of 1.87 which puts him in the upper echelon of IV trainer performance.

Background and racing pathway

Glenn is not from one of Tasmania's traditionally dominant racing dynasties; However, he has spent some two decades in the industry and is recognized as "horseman's trainer" who built his stable though hard work and local racing knowledge rather than large commercial backing. He saddled his first winner in 2009.

Stable location and facilities

Glenn trades as "Glenn Stevenson Racing" or "GTS Racing". Being based at Wesley Vale he is only about ten minutes from the Devonport racecourse and has access to beach training facilities which plays an important part of maintaining horse fitness and soundness. Facebook

Jockeys successful with the stable

Over the years Glenn has formed productive associations with several leading Tasmanian jockeys, particularly with jockey Craig Newitt and more recently with Codi Jordan, among others. He has shown a preference for experienced riders who understand the local tracks and racing patterns. However, it is noteworthy a recent feature race success with Victorian-based visiting jockey Jett Stanley in the 2026 Launceston Cup which demonstrates his willingness to engage interstate riders for major targets. punters.com.au

Major races and notable horses

One of Glenn's most notable achievements has been his success with Turk Warrior, a horse who won more than $600,000 in prize money and became one of the state's best modern performers. He has also enjoyed repeated success in the Devonport Cup, one of Tasmania's key staying races. He won his first Devonport Cup with Ashy Boy and completed a hat-trick when Asva won the race, with the stable also securing the quinella on that occasion. (Facebook) (Asian Racing Report)

Training approach and horse placement

Glenn selects races carefully for his horses, rather than over-racing them. His runners are placed where they can be competitive against realistic opposition, an approach that has allowed his modest-sized stable to compete successfully against larger mainland operations at Carnival time. A mix of local knowledge, careful spacing of runs, and tactical booking of jockeys for key races reflects his aim to give each horse every chance to perform to its ability. racing+3

Other activities in racing

Beyond "traditional" training, Glenn is an adopter of modern stable-management technology, using the Prism horse management platform to run the financial, operational, and communication aspects of GTS Racing. His stable also maintains a social media presence on platforms such as Facebook and X, which it uses to promote runners, report results, and connect with the Tasmanian and broader racing community. Glenn is an outspoken industry advocate, particularly with respect to track issues, racing programming, and the structural integrity of the sport. Asian Racing Report prism+

(If you would like to see a particular trainer profiled in SPOTLIGHT let me know via Everyrace Support contact.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Watch report

The aim of the Wizard Watch report is to highlight on race-morning which horses have been the most significant firmers overnight and earlier on race-morning. This Wizard freebie is an extract of this report featuring some of the venues being covered today. The full report is available with the other Wizard "market sensitive" reports at 10:30am each day.

Wizard monitors race morning market trends over the first 3 hours of race day betting to determine which horses are anticipated to run above earlier pre-post expectations and which horses have had their higher probabilities confirmed.

Given the significance of this early/informed market action, the odds about the Wizard Watch Morning Movers naturally skew towards the shorter odds, but this is compensated by the strike rate. Double figure odds about successful Market Movers are rare, but each-way odds winners are backable.

 Click here for an explanation of Wizard Watch.

Matrix - day by day analysis of Wednesday & Thursday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Wednesday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Wednesday and Thursday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

 Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic,  RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier , Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100, Watch is a Watch report qualifier.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - DN says:  "Appreciate the information and practical suggestions, especially on staking".

Warren Block's Daily Report - Thursday, 21 May 2026

• Jockey-Trainer metro stats - five states - Spotlight on Ben Allen
• Matrix day-by-day results for Thursday and Friday racing
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Magic Report
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Results

Jockey-Trainer metro stats - five states - Spotlight on Ben Allen

Today, jockeys in each of the five mainland states who are prominent in their respective 2025-2026 metropolitan premierships, with the following stats covering the past two years.

The Jockey/Trainer combinations that are included here are based on the following criteria: The Jockey/Trainer combination is listed when a jockey's record shows at least 2 wins when riding the Wizard top-rater, or at least 3 wins when riding the race favourite, or 4 wins if the runner is in the $2.00 to $5.90 odds range, for that stable. Also included are the overall percentage stats for the jockey when riding a Wizard top rater or race favourite, for any stable. Note, that these stats cover the rider's results in all races, irrespective of location.

To add to this weekly insight, here is a Spotlight Profile of Ben Allen (via ChatGPT, and other sources) which makes for some interesting reading.

Ben Allen, Victorian born, has firmly established himself in the very competitive ranks of Melbourne's senior jockeys.

Background and family connections

Ben grew up in a racing family and is the son of Victorian trainer John Allen. He began riding trackwork around the age of 14 and joined the Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey Program in 2015, later winning its RV Elite Jockey Award. Growing up around stables gave him a practical understanding of horse behaviour, race preparation, and the demands of professional racing long before he began riding competitively. Racing.com

Main riding locations

Ben is based in Victoria and does the bulk of his riding on that State's metropolitan and provincial circuits. His first winner came at Mornington in 2015. By the completion of his apprenticeship in early 2019, he had already ridden more than 300 winners, including over 100 at metropolitan tracks, In the 2024-2025 Victorian Jockey Premiership he finished 8th with 93 wins at a strikerate of 16.8% per cent.

Key trainer associations

A pivotal relationship in Ben's career has been with leading trainer Ciaron Maher (formerly the Maher & Eustace partnership). He has said Ciaron has been a massive supporter for the last four to five years and credits him for providing crucial opportunities. The partnership yielded Ben's first Group 1 victory when he rode Marabi to win the Oakleigh Plate in 2022. Beyond the Maher stable, he regularly rides for strong Victorian stables such as Ben, Will & JD Hayes, and Leon & Troy Corstens. He also rides periodically for his father John Allen, and in 2024 he fulfilled a personal milestone by riding Go To Hollywood to victory at Sandown, giving his father a rare city winner. facebook+5 (Dandenong Star Journal)

Major wins and career highlights

As well as his breakthrough Group 1 win on Marabi, last September he confirmed his Group 1-winning record with victory on Baraqiel in the Moir Stakes. He has also collected Group 2 and Group 3 successes, adding depth to his rsum. Earlier in his career, while still an apprentice, he rode in the Melbourne Cup on Thomas Hobson for Irish trainer Willie Mullins in 2017, finishing sixth after picking up the ride when Joao Moreira was injured. By mid2020s, Ben has now amassed more than 800 career wins from over 6500 rides, with a strong metropolitan record and a reputation as a reliable bigrace rider who balances his jockey career with life as a cattle farmer and parttime DJ. facebook+5

Outside Interests

Outside racing, Ben has attracted media attention for his interests away from the track, including music and DJ work, while also maintaining rural interests involving cattle farming. (thesun.co.uk)

Summary

Over time Ben has become known as a genuinely versatile rider, capable of successfully handling both sprint horses and middle-distance performers. His consistency in metropolitan racing has enabled him to maintain strong strike rates and regular bookings from leading trainers.

Matrix day-by-day results for Thursday and Friday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Thursday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Thursday and Friday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Magic Report

The Wizard publishes on this page one of its Wizard reports or special features, either completely or a part thereof. Today, a Wizard Magic (abridged) Report. The full report and all other reports for all meetings for today are available now for subscribers

The Magic report is an important component of the Wizard's uniquely successful race-morning MATRIX report whose Selectives consistently outperform traditional rating methodologies.

 Click here for an explanation of the Wizard Magic report.

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic,  RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier , Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - DN says:  "Appreciate the information and practical suggestions, especially on staking".

Warren Block's Daily Report - Thursday, 21 May 2026

• Jockey-Trainer metro stats - five states - Spotlight on Ben Allen
• Matrix day-by-day results for Thursday and Friday racing
• Wizard Freebie - Wizard Magic Report
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Results

Jockey-Trainer metro stats - five states - Spotlight on Ben Allen

Today, jockeys in each of the five mainland states who are prominent in their respective 2025-2026 metropolitan premierships, with the following stats covering the past two years.

The Jockey/Trainer combinations that are included here are based on the following criteria: The Jockey/Trainer combination is listed when a jockey's record shows at least 2 wins when riding the Wizard top-rater, or at least 3 wins when riding the race favourite, or 4 wins if the runner is in the $2.00 to $5.90 odds range, for that stable. Also included are the overall percentage stats for the jockey when riding a Wizard top rater or race favourite, for any stable. Note, that these stats cover the rider's results in all races, irrespective of location.

To add to this weekly insight, here is a Spotlight Profile of Ben Allen (via ChatGPT, and other sources) which makes for some interesting reading.

Ben Allen, Victorian born, has firmly established himself in the very competitive ranks of Melbourne's senior jockeys.

Background and family connections

Ben grew up in a racing family and is the son of Victorian trainer John Allen. He began riding trackwork around the age of 14 and joined the Racing Victoria Apprentice Jockey Program in 2015, later winning its RV Elite Jockey Award. Growing up around stables gave him a practical understanding of horse behaviour, race preparation, and the demands of professional racing long before he began riding competitively. Racing.com

Main riding locations

Ben is based in Victoria and does the bulk of his riding on that State's metropolitan and provincial circuits. His first winner came at Mornington in 2015. By the completion of his apprenticeship in early 2019, he had already ridden more than 300 winners, including over 100 at metropolitan tracks, In the 2024-2025 Victorian Jockey Premiership he finished 8th with 93 wins at a strikerate of 16.8% per cent.

Key trainer associations

A pivotal relationship in Ben's career has been with leading trainer Ciaron Maher (formerly the Maher & Eustace partnership). He has said Ciaron has been a massive supporter for the last four to five years and credits him for providing crucial opportunities. The partnership yielded Ben's first Group 1 victory when he rode Marabi to win the Oakleigh Plate in 2022. Beyond the Maher stable, he regularly rides for strong Victorian stables such as Ben, Will & JD Hayes, and Leon & Troy Corstens. He also rides periodically for his father John Allen, and in 2024 he fulfilled a personal milestone by riding Go To Hollywood to victory at Sandown, giving his father a rare city winner. facebook+5 (Dandenong Star Journal)

Major wins and career highlights

As well as his breakthrough Group 1 win on Marabi, last September he confirmed his Group 1-winning record with victory on Baraqiel in the Moir Stakes. He has also collected Group 2 and Group 3 successes, adding depth to his rsum. Earlier in his career, while still an apprentice, he rode in the Melbourne Cup on Thomas Hobson for Irish trainer Willie Mullins in 2017, finishing sixth after picking up the ride when Joao Moreira was injured. By mid2020s, Ben has now amassed more than 800 career wins from over 6500 rides, with a strong metropolitan record and a reputation as a reliable bigrace rider who balances his jockey career with life as a cattle farmer and parttime DJ. facebook+5

Outside Interests

Outside racing, Ben has attracted media attention for his interests away from the track, including music and DJ work, while also maintaining rural interests involving cattle farming. (thesun.co.uk)

Summary

Over time Ben has become known as a genuinely versatile rider, capable of successfully handling both sprint horses and middle-distance performers. His consistency in metropolitan racing has enabled him to maintain strong strike rates and regular bookings from leading trainers.

Matrix day-by-day results for Thursday and Friday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Thursday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Thursday and Friday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Freebie - Wizard Magic Report

The Wizard publishes on this page one of its Wizard reports or special features, either completely or a part thereof. Today, a Wizard Magic (abridged) Report. The full report and all other reports for all meetings for today are available now for subscribers

The Magic report is an important component of the Wizard's uniquely successful race-morning MATRIX report whose Selectives consistently outperform traditional rating methodologies.

 Click here for an explanation of the Wizard Magic report.

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic,  RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier , Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results

BETTING ESSENTIALS - RG says: "I've begun reading it and realise how much I don't know."

Warren Block's Daily Report - Saturday, 16 May 2026

•  Wizard Freebie - Wizard What-IF Report Updated now at 10:30am
• Matrix day-by-day results for Saturday and Sunday racing
• Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives Results

IMPORTANT - What-IF race morning update now posted at 10:30am - was 9:30am - allows for more complete scratchings update

Wizard Freebie - Wizard What-IF Report

The Wizard What-IF report has more than one application. It can help to identify the horse/s best suited in a race and possessing the more reliable form. Also, it can help to differentiate between races that represent a positive betting opportunity from those whose fields are below par in terms of the revealed form. The What-IF report is available with the first upload of Wizard's race files and is then updated on race morning

The What-IF report profiles the six top rated Wizard WRat runners in each race. The data in the report shows the record of each horse when it started at 10/1 or less, and/or won at longer odds, in a race in the distance range.

In terms of horse suitability, What-IF focuses on fitness and form. It does this through indicators that are relevant to these form factors. With respect to reliability, included in the FITNESS FORM category are each runner's Wizard Filter and Negatives scores. As these scores are determined by the record of the horse when running under similar conditions, they are a particularly relevant indicator of how well, and how consistently, it has performed over time. The higher the number, the better the score, with a Filter score of +7 being a genuinely positive assessment in terms of runner reliability.

The lower section of the What-IF report addresses the issue of uncertainty, by considering a range of "unknown" factors, and how versatile the runner is, and how adaptable it is likely to be under different race conditions.

For selective bettors a suggested approach is to concentrate on those races where one of the top two WRat runners has a Filter score of +7 or more and the other has a score of zero or better (not negative). This approach means the focus is on only those races where the top two rated runners are assessed as suitably placed and reliable. This approach aims to reduce the degree of risk and uncertainty when choosing races as possible wagering opportunities and deciding on final selections.

An extract from one of today's meetings:

 Click here or a full explanation of the Wizard What-If report.

Matrix day-by-day results for Saturday and Sunday racing

The tables show the results for the past eight weeks for the day on which racing occurred. So, today being Saturday, this Matrix DOW (Day of Week) report covers the past eight Saturday and Sunday results. The day-after results are included so that they are available on race-eve, rather than only on race morning.

(The daily Matrix report aims to assist subscribers contain the number of bets to manageable proportions and improve the strike rate. The report is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day with an update at 12 noon.)

Wizard Ratings, Raceday, Matrix, and Selectives results

We publish these full results daily so that subscribers can see the results of the Wizard's ratings options, and Report-content, and thereby formulate a selecting and betting strategy that suits them individually. The Wizard ratings should not be seen as "tips", rather as objective assessments that can be used to inform one's own judgement as to the relative chances of the runners in a race.

The full day-by-day results for Wizard (Wrat) top 4 rated runners, the Raceday Qualifier, and the Matrix (MaxR) 100 pointer, the MaxR top-two, the What-IF top-two Filtered, together with the Matrix W1+MaxR100 Selective qualifier, and the Matrix W1+*EO+MaxR100 Selective qualifier. Also included are the overall results for last week and the last four weeks. The 2024-2025 column shows the WRat results for the full racing season.

This results summary is colour coded so that it is easier for readers to track the relative performance of the Top Rated (blue) and Top-Two Rated (green) ratings options on a daily, and longer term, basis. The best overall qualifier (yellow) is highlighted. Also, the single runner options are grouped separately, as are the two-horse and multi-horse options results, again to make comparisons easier.

The following table shows this week's results of alternative options with respect to possible Matrix Selectives combinations, as well as weekly summaries. These combinations are accessible via the Wizard MATRIX report which is posted to our website between 10:30am and 10:45am each day.

(Key: The first of the two columns for each Selective combination shows number of qualifying races and the second column shows the strike rate. Headings: RWM is Raceday,Watch,Magic,  RWM 2/3 means two or three qualifying, Rday is Raceday report qualifier , Magic is Magic report qualifier, R/M is Raceday and Magic, WR1 is Wrat 100, MR1 is MaxR 100.)

The following table shows where the winner of each race run yesterday was rated by WRat, WMod, WHcp, and WExpk and was the qualifier in the Wizard Raceday Report. (Note: The Wrat [W] winner results report on both the top rated and top-two rated winners.) The Raceday Report winners under the Top Rated column are from those races where there was only one Raceday qualifier, and under the Top 2 Rated on the rare occasions where there were two qualifiers in a race.

Header: WMHER = WRat (W), WMod (M), WHcp (H), WExpk (E), Raceday (R).

For a full explanation of the table click: How to read the Wizard Ratings Results