In my early punting days I lived on the Gold Coast, within easy driving distance to Brisbane race tracks but a long way from Sydney and Melbourne. In those days I learned about "horses for courses" and won a lot of money at The Creek. The Creek was a sand track at Albion Park in Brisbane, a small track with a sharp bend into the straight, called "The Tea Tree Turn". Most times only horses that could handle the sharp turn would continue on to win. They where called "Creekers" and you could readily make your wages by supporting these horses at midweek events.

I also learned that there was value following good Queensland horses when they were sent South to race in Sydney and Melbourne. I became aware of the parochialism between States (the reason for the success of "State of Origin" football) and the value in backing these horses with a bookmaker or a TAB outside Queensland. Even though I had betting accounts with SP bookmakers in all States, it was the TAB which gave me the best value because of the average punter’s bias towards a horse’s origin. Instead of driving up to the Brisbane races on Saturday, I would head South to the Tweed Heads Dogs in New South Wales where I could get the best odds in the country on horses like Gunsynd and Tails when they raced South of the Border.

These traditions and values are still prevalent today. Horses for courses and value influenced by parochialism between States. The difference is you can now do it at home in the comfort of your lounge rather than drive for miles as I used to do. All you need is a betting account in each State.

Ever since I was old enough to attend a race track unaccompanied I have been punting on horses. I was always good at picking a winner and getting value about "horses for courses" and horses travelling between States, but even so, after losing long term to the bookies, I was about to learn that picking winners was not what successful punting was all about.

I first met the late Don Scott in 1978 and he gave me a copy of his first book "Winning". I quickly found out about Class, Weight, Bookmakers’ percentages; I learned how to use the knowledge I already had, to make a book on my selections and back more than one in a race, resulting in overall long term profits.

Since those days I have been able to make a profit on the punt, at one time making a comfortable living from it. But, in those days, race form analysis was tedious and time consuming. If you made an error due to a distraction it could be very costly. Race form analysis and successful punting required 100% dedication.

In 1980 I purchased my first computer for the purpose of keeping race records and ratings for each horse. These details were usually entered on cards kept in a filing cabinet.

In those days there was very little software available to assist with specific tasks, so I learned to program my new computer for the job I required of it. If you have ever had to learn a programming language, you will know that it also takes considerable time and dedication. This was when I experienced a conflict of interest between dedicating sufficient time for my horse analysis and computer programming. My days of successful punting eventually drew to a close.

I was now more interested in computers than punting, I had written a program based on Don Scott’s book, which I intended to use for my own purpose. However, I was influenced to sell it, first to bookmakers and then to interested punters. I called the program Dataform.

I was so fascinated by computers that I did the most reckless thing I have ever done and took the biggest gamble I have ever taken. I purchased a computer retail shop! For the first time in my life I lost control of my freedom. For the next 20 years that business consumed all my time and efforts.

Often during that period of ‘wasted’ years, punters asked me to update Dataform but I never had the time to carry out their wishes. At long last I now have the time and I have completely rewritten the program adding numerous refinements to keep abreast of changes in racing codes.

Today I am semi-retired. I live far away from major racetracks. My personal punting activity is confined to the Internet. However, I believe that all my work on Dataform can be applied successfully – profitably – by disciplined punters, so I am offering the program to experienced and budding racing enthusiasts, so that they, also, may learn the ways of Don Scott, probably the most successful punter Australia has ever known.


The new Dataform has been written on a database called Filemaker-Pro which will run on Windows, Macintosh and Unix based computers.

This web site fully explains all the features of Dataform-Pro and how it can help you become a successful punter.

The program has been used by many, and those who have already used it wisely have achieved financial independence. It requires attention to detail, concentration and discipline for a few hours a week, but has proven reliable, safe and trustworthy. "Predicting" the future can be fun, let it be a challenge to you! It can teach you a lot about the Sport of Kings; it can make you a winner, and hence a satisfied investor.


Good Punting
Bevan Potter.