Does using manual training give you an advantage over letting the game do it? It really is a hassle, but I like the idea of focusing their training to compensate in weak areas. On auto-train my horses DO seem to improve stats, but it seems random.

Struggling mightily here with a ten-year in game. The stats, even potential, seem to still result rather crazily, and I have winners suddenly tank horrifically after being competitive previously. I'm racing at least 3 weeks between races unless something big like Derby-Preakness is happening (US schedule), breeding with only high potential horses with ratings of 105-plus, and I just can't seem to get consistent Grade 1 or 2 competitors. And winners often seem to bottom out and crash and burn mysteriously, almost every season. What am I doing wrong?

As I'm a casual player I've considered a SO6 game as I understand it is more forgiving- but I so much prefer the better SO7 interface. Thoughts?

Is manual training better than auto-training?

That is a good question. I've never tried it, but it certainly sounds more casual friendly.

Some other (better) players have reported it is a go-to choice when you have horses with a low "training" bar, in SO6.

Maybe it's my imagination, but I started a UK combined game on manual training, and I could swear my horses are showing speed and accel bar improvement in just about 5 weeks with training them for raw speed. I should have screen-shotted them before and after to see if it's just me or not.

Anyone else witness this kind of thing?