Example 1
Ethereal and Northerly
Ethereal ran 3rd to Northerly prior to Caulfield Cup win.

Points to consider
1. Distance was short of Ethereal's best.
2. Ethereal was aimed at Caul Cup, so improvement was still likely.
3. Northerly was ridden hands and heals by Oliver but in no way was the horse eased down.
Result - Ethereal won the Caulfield Cup


Example 2 - Jamaica Win and Miss Kournikova.
JW ran a fast finishing 3rd to MK.
Points to consider
1. Fast pace suited JW.
2. MK was eased down near the line.
3. Distance was within range for JW
4. JW was probably near its peak in that run.
Result - JW flopped at next couple of starts.

Conclusion - you have to treat formlines on an individual basis. Sometimes they flop, other times they are a good guide.