This maybe of interest re us racing

The horse had managed just 4 top-two finishes in its last 16 starts (with only a single win) and was moving to a trainer who had saddled only one horse (4 starts total) at Century Mile. The jockey, meanwhile, had just one win at the meet and five wins all year. To add more context, three of the horses in this very race had already beaten it in its last outing, when it went off at nearly 7-1.

Yes, there were minor angles to consider—like removing the blinkers after steadying with them in its prior start—but nothing that would reasonably justify the flood of betting support.

What stood out most was the toteboard manipulation: holding the #1 at nearly 20-1 for as long as possible before slamming it late. That level of precision suggests someone knew the horse was going to run a winning race. The problem isn’t just the odds drop—late movement can often be predicted from the will-pays—it’s the pinpoint accuracy of the plunge.

I simply don’t buy that CAWs identified this horse purely through data analysis. Sure, it could have been bet as a live outsider—but hammered into the race as if it couldn’t lose? Not a chance. The most plausible explanation is that performance enhancement played a role, and that knowledge was funneled back to the CAWs.

I don’t have proof, but my belief is that CAWs have boots on the ground at most tracks. Those insiders are compensated for information, with the payoff skyrocketing when the intel points to a horse that actually wins.

I don’t believe the actions of the CAWs are technically illegal—even when it involves gathering inside knowledge at the track level. Even receiving preferential treatment from the tracks isn’t classified as unlawful. But their presence, at this scale, has drained the soul out of the sport. It’s rarely enjoyable, let alone a viable financial pursuit

https://x.com/raypaulick/status/1966654260919283825

Computer-Assisted Wagering (CAW) in horse racing refers to the use of computer algorithms and software to analyze vast datasets on horses, jockeys, race conditions, and historical performance to make highly calculated, automated bets.
These systems process information at a scale and speed unattainable by humans, identifying betting inefficiencies and predicting odds fluctuations in real-time.
CAW is typically employed by large teams or syndicates, often referred to as "whales," who use finely honed models and algorithms to place large volumes of bets, frequently in the final seconds before a race starts.
This practice allows them to capitalize on late odds changes and exploit market inefficiencies across multiple races and betting pools.
CAW players often have exclusive access to real-time data feeds and tote system back-end access, enabling them to execute bets with minimal delay.
They also benefit from significant rebates on their wagers, which reduces their financial risk and encourages higher betting volumes.
While CAW has led to increased liquidity in betting pools and more accurate odds, it has also created a significant imbalance. The massive, automated bets placed by CAW teams can cause dramatic late odds shifts, disadvantaging traditional, retail bettors who place their wagers earlier.
This has led to concerns about fairness and the erosion of the mass-market customer base, as non-CAW wagering has declined by nearly two-thirds over the past two decades when adjusted for inflation.

CAW players often have exclusive access to real-time data feeds and tote system back-end access, enabling them to execute bets with minimal delay.
They also benefit from significant rebates on their wagers,

They can also cancel bets made before the off, I believe. (I read that a while ago so can't quote a source)  So with that, the rebates and the real time info they can manipulate the pool to produce higher payouts on their selections where that opportunity arises.

This activity is largely independent of any inside info plays, but obviously if the idea was to get the money on late and without giving the game away, they would be ideally placed to do that.

I think a pool betting org (far east? Oz?) just about went bust because of rebates and manipulation by these CAW players.

zeljko played the markets for free because of his massive rebates

marantelli (colossus) the magician as he was on here was at the forefront but lack of liquidity made the data unreliable. marantelli would bet what the market told him. he gave us one that was a million and had no conceivable chance and it got beat but it was very close and traded odds-on

not any more