While im not ruling out the advantage of identifying leaders and those that race handy i kind of feel the whole thing is over blown when we start talking about track bias and leader tracks etc.

To me track bias is more field size and tempo issues. Larger fields will usually see a more genuine pace, smaller fields not as much.

Many many times ive heard all the Sydney commentators declare the track a leaders track, almost every time its a very weak meeting with fields of 8 runners or less. Then along comes the feature race later in the day with 14 or so runners and surprise surprise something comes from behind and wins it.

Just my take on it.