Charles Dickens (Aldo Domeyer) returns after his big victory with the Bass-Robinson Racing Team (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Charles Dickens has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 128 following his emphatic success in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up Cousin Casey made for the ideal line horse when assessing this event, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 115.
The winner aside, there were ratings increases for four other horses.
Third finisher At My Command is up from 109 to 114, 4th placed Royal Aussie was raised from 99 to 109, while 5th placed Dave The King and 6th finisher Money Heist – who were separated by no more than a short head in this level weights contest – both go up to 108 from 105 and 103, respectively.
This would ensure that they meet on the correct terms i.e. level weights, should they face each other in a handicap race, given that they showed essentially the identical level of ability here.
No horse received a rating’s drop as a result of this race.
- Ridgemont Highlands Gr2 Peninsula Handicap
Nexus has had his merit rating raised from 107 to 114 following a second career success in the Grade 2 Ridgemont Highlands Peninsula Handicap over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Nexus also won this race two seasons ago, when he achieved a mark of 116 carrying 1 kg more than this time around.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that 3rd placed Han Solo made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100.
Runner-up Imilenzeyokududuma – who was 1 pound or 0.5 kg under sufferance at the weights – goes up from 95 to 100 and was the only other runner to receive a rating’s increase. There were however ratings drops for five runners.
4th finisher Warrior is down from 108 to 107, Chollima drops from 100 to 98, Rockin’ Ringo was trimmed from 109 to 108, Future Prince is down to 96 from 97, and lastly Senso Unico drops from 108 to 106.
- Hollywoodbets Gr3 Victress Stakes
Marina remains unchanged on a mark of 117 after winning the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that third placed Silver Darling made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 113. In assessing the race this way, Marina only runs to a mark of 114, hence her unchanged rating. Marina also won this race a year ago, carrying 4.5 kgs less and only running to a mark of 104, testament to the progress which she has made during the intervening twelve months.
There were also increases for second placed Do Angels Cry, who goes up from 93 to 102, and for 4th finisher Bye Bye Bombshell, who is up from 98 to 100.
The only drop was for Chansonette, who continues to run well below her best form of last season and who is down from 121 to 116 to make her lower than the winner.
Press release by NHRA on 20 December 2022
