Good to Firm is a horse racing adventure based on the British flat racing season. All the big races, including the English Classics, are featured, as well as group races, handicaps, maidens, and sellers.

Game Overview

Starting out with an empty stable with limited facilities, the object is to buy horses and improve your stable so that you can compete with rival trainers for the championship title.

If you prefer just to gamble, you won't be disappointed. Good to Firm has a large selection of 28 different types of bets.

The game offers continual seasonal play. If at first you don't succeed, there's always next season. And if you do succeed, can you make it two in a row?

Technical Specifications

Good to Firm is designed to run on PC compatibles.

System Requirements:

• VGA graphics
   
• 580K free base memory
   
• Minimum processor: 286 (recommended: 386 or faster)
   

Installation:

• To install to hard disk: type INSTALL
   
• To run the game: type GTF (in DOS; exit Windows first)
   

Starting the Game

Most options are selected using the arrow keys and the Enter key. Other features use the function keys (F1 to F10), the spacebar, Esc, Ins, and Del.

When asked "Do you want to load a saved game?" press Y or N. Press N if this is your first time playing. Press Y to continue a previous game.

The Season

The season lasts 24 weeks with one race meeting per week.

• Trainers' championship: most prize money earned
   
• Jockeys' championship: most winners ridden
   

Race Types

Good to Firm includes a variety of race types:

• Group Races (1, 2, 3): Ranked by horse quality and prize money
   
• Classics: 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Oaks, Derby, St Leger
   
• Maidens: For horses that haven’t won a race
   
• Sellers: Horses auctioned after the race (Group 2 and 3 only)
   
• Handicaps: Horses carry weights based on ability (Group 3 only)
   

Races range from 5 furlongs to 2.5 miles and have entry conditions (e.g., age or sex restrictions).

Horses – Ages

Flat-racers typically peak at age 3 and retire early. There are three age categories:

• 2 year olds
   
• 3 year olds
   
• Over 3 years
   

Terminology:

• Filly: Female under 5
   
• Colt: Male under 5
   
• Mare: Female 5 or older
   
• Horse: Male 5 or older
   

Horses – Key Factors in Performance

• Ability: Natural speed, changes with age
   
• Distance: Preferred race length (5 to 20 furlongs)
   
• Going: Ground preference (soft, hard, mixed)
   
• Fitness: Higher fitness = better speed
   
• Weight Carried: Impacts speed in handicaps
   
• Course Familiarity: Slight performance impact
   

Buying and Selling Horses

Use the Buy Horse option to purchase 2-year-olds at auction. Abilities are based on parentage but results may vary.

Use the Sell Horse option to auction off horses that have run at least 4 races. You can set a minimum price.

Sellers Races: Group 2 and 3 horses can be sold after racing.

End of Season Offers: You may receive bids for all horses. Weigh prize potential versus value.

Training

Training boosts and maintains fitness:

• Set routines using the Train Horses option.
   
• Intensity and duration affect fitness and injury risk.
   
• Training the right distance improves performance.
   
• Overtraining causes exhaustion—rest may be required.
   

Recommended race limits:

• 2 year olds: 8 races
   
• 3 year olds: 12 races
   
• Over 3: 16 races
   

Injuries

Injuries are possible but not career-ending. Most are short-term but can be costly. Treatment is automatic.

Jockeys

Jockeys vary in skill and cost. Statistics help judge talent but aren't foolproof. Choose wisely based on your horse and budget.

Weight matters only in handicaps. A heavier jockey may overburden a lightly weighted horse.

Money

A generous overdraft is available but avoid overspending. Regular income includes:

• Prize money
   
• Betting wins
   
• Horse sales
   

Weekly expenses include:

• Stable running costs
   
• Entry fees (1/50 of prize money)
   

Off-Course Betting

Enable in the Set Options menu. Accumulator bets include:

• Double: 2 horses
   
• Treble: 3 horses
   
• Trixie: 3 doubles + 1 treble (4 bets)
   
• Patent: Trixie + 3 singles (7 bets)
   
• Yankee, Lucky 15, Canadian, Heinz, Super Heinz, Goliath: Larger combinations up to 247 bets
   

On-Course Betting

Place bets before each race:

• Win, Place
   
• Forecasts: Straight or reverse
   
• Tricasts: Predict 1st, 2nd, 3rd in correct/any order
   
• Specials: Combinations like 3 horses all ways, horse with field, etc.
   

Entering Races

Each week features 10 races. Enter eligible horses using the spacebar and select a jockey. Once entered, horses cannot be withdrawn.

Watching Races

Watch the full race, last furlong, or finishing post. Press Spacebar to skip ahead. Use Ins to toggle backgrounds for better performance.

Own horses are highlighted and placed in outside stalls. You can limit which races are shown in Set Options.

Printing

Press F9 on many screens to print statistics, race results, and seasonal summaries.

End Note

Good to Firm (c) New Era Software/Wizard Games of Scotland Ltd, 199