The comments glossary
After every meeting the HKJC publishes a one-line trip note for each runner — house English with a fixed vocabulary. This page translates the common phrases and, because we hold 33,857 of these notes against the results, shows how horses described each way fared at their next start. Base rates over 31,470 next starts: 8.2% won, 24.6% made the first three.
Read the numbers as description, not prophecy: we tested the excuse-phrases as a betting signal and they failed — the excuse test →
denied a clear run / no clear run
982 mentionsThe horse had running left but could not get into the open in the straight — the classic hard-luck line.
Next start after a run described this way (940 cases): won 9.4% · first three 28.2% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
held up / blocked / pocketed
1,287 mentionsTrapped behind or inside other runners when the rider wanted to go.
Next start after a run described this way (1,197 cases): won 8.7% · first three 24.0% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
checked / steadied
812 mentionsHad to brake mid-race, usually off another runner's heels; costs momentum and a length or two.
Next start after a run described this way (767 cases): won 9.5% · first three 25.4% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
shuffled back
88 mentionsLost several positions through the field without the rider asking.
Next start after a run described this way (76 cases): won 9.2% · first three 21.1% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
hampered / crowded / bumped
3,842 mentionsPhysical interference from another runner.
Next start after a run described this way (3,544 cases): won 7.8% · first three 24.3% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
wide without cover
762 mentionsRaced outside other horses with no one to tow it along — extra ground and no slipstream, a hidden effort.
Next start after a run described this way (684 cases): won 8.3% · first three 26.3% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
three / four deep
1,569 mentionsSeveral horses off the rail around the turns; every turn costs ground.
Next start after a run described this way (1,465 cases): won 8.2% · first three 24.4% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
slow out / slow to begin
759 mentionsLost the start. In Hong Kong's compact fields that often decides the whole trip.
Next start after a run described this way (686 cases): won 4.4% · first three 19.7% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
began awkwardly / dwelt / fractious
380 mentionsTrouble in or out of the gate — a stumble, a rear, or simply not ready when it opened.
Next start after a run described this way (361 cases): won 8.0% · first three 24.1% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
enjoyed the easy / soft lead
51 mentionsLed without pressure. Flatters the figures: the race fell its way.
Next start after a run described this way (48 cases): won 18.8% · first three 35.4% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
kept on (well / same pace)
3,672 mentionsSustained the effort through the straight — 'well' is praise, 'same pace' means one-paced.
Next start after a run described this way (3,511 cases): won 11.7% · first three 32.2% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
made good progress in straight
958 mentionsThe finishing burst — the line behind most eye-catching closers.
Next start after a run described this way (929 cases): won 11.9% · first three 33.3% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
weakened / stopped
5,620 mentionsCame to the end of its run before the line.
Next start after a run described this way (5,075 cases): won 4.8% · first three 17.1% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
hung in / out
224 mentionsDrifted sideways under pressure instead of running straight — often a fitness or attitude flag.
Next start after a run described this way (204 cases): won 8.3% · first three 23.0% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
lame / bled (vet report)
923 mentionsA veterinary finding after the race. In our data these horses also run clearly below the base rate NEXT start — the one comment with real forward meaning, and a negative one.
Next start after a run described this way (614 cases): won 5.2% · first three 20.5% · base 8.2% / 24.6%
Every run on this site carries its trip note: see any meeting's results or any horse page. Comments are the club's own wording, shown unedited; they appear a day or two after each meeting.