These replies were very informative and thanks to all. Conditions are sometimes almost hopelessly complex and are a delicate balancing act between racing secretary and trainers. Jim Quinn wrote a good book "The Handicapper's Condition Book" which I've read several times and still have difficulty understanding.
I've met many handicappers who have little or no knowledge of conditions other that the rudimentary. I also know owners and trainers, myself included, that don't understand them well.
I remember in the past it was much simpler. There were maidens, allowance, stakes and claimers. You could easily determine whether a horse was going up-in-class or down-in-class. Today, it's not so clear.
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