Dave The King was adjusted to a 127 from a rating of 126 after emphatically winning the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge on WFA terms over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 8 June.
Dave The King’s merit rating has been adjusted to 127 (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
It was the runner up COUSIN CASEY who was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, which is the reason for his unchanged mark of 123.
COUSIN CASEY and DAVE THE KING have a lifetime of form with each other, in fact DAVE THE KING had beaten COUSIN CASEY at level weight terms on no less than four occasions over distances from 1400m, 1600m and 2000m prior to the 2024 running of the Hollywoodbets Gr1 Gold Challenge.
So, it is indisputable that DAVE THE KING is superior to the 123 rated COUSIN CASEY on ability (merit).
Despite this fact, many experts and commentators (anyone who has commented on this subject) alleged, prior to his win in a Pinnacle on 19 May 2024, that DAVE THE KING was overrated on a rating of 126 by virtue of him being a 3-time winner.
This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the Merit Rating system that has been applied for the last 24 or so years.
SEE IT AGAIN, who failed to confirm the 1-point adjustment he received for his win in the World Sport Betting Gr2 Greenpoint Stakes in his 3 subsequent performances was dropped that 1 point from 132 to 131.
5th placed GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE was adjusted to 119 from 115 after he finished 1.65 lengths behind the 123 rated line horse, COUSIN CASEY, at WFA terms.
The only other horse to receive a drop in ratings was AL MUTHANA, who was dropped to 120 from 123.
East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM remained on a rating of 118 after easily winning the East Coast Radio Gr2 Tibouchina Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that the runner-up HUMDINGER made for the best line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 116.
There were increases for 3rd placed BAVARIAN BEAUTY, who is up from 113 to 116 and 4th placed GIMME A SHOT, who is up from 106 to 108.
HAPPY CHANCE and RIPPLE EFFECT were both dropped a point each from 113 to 112 and 106 to 105 respectively.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial (Handicap)
ORIENTAL CHARM has had his rating raised from 118 to 121 after winning the Hollywoodbets Dolphins Gr3 Cup Trial (handicap) over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
It was 3rd placed NARINA TROGON who was used as the line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 100.
Interestingly, the winner was adjusted from 87 to 113 for his 3rd place Grade 1 SplashOut Cape Derby finish, and then was adjusted another 5 points from 113 to 118 for his 2nd place finish in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900.
ORIENTAL CHARM took the total of 31 points adjustment which was based on his performances and won the Hollywoodbets Cup Trail with a degree of ease.
This win not only vindicates the Handicappers’ assessment of ORIENTAL CHARM but also vindicates the Handicappers’ assessment of GREEN WITH ENVY’s win in the Daily News 2000.
ORIENTAL CHARM will now meet GREEN WITH ENVY on correct Handicap terms (3kg pull at the weights) based on their meeting in the SplashOut Gr1 Cape Derby where GREEN WITH ENVY beat ORIENTAL CHARM by 3.25 lengths.
SUNDANCE KID, who was a full 9 points under sufferance in this benchmarked handicap, was adjusted by 6 points from 91 to 97, having finished 3 points in margin behind the line horse NARINA TROGON.
There were ratings’ drops for three horses. NAVAJO NATION was dropped from 110 to 108, NOBLE CITY was dropped from 107 to 105 and SOVEREIGN STATE was dropped to 102 from 104.
Gr3 Jubilee Stakes
MERIDIUS was adjusted to a mark of 113 from 110 after winning the Gr3 Jubilee Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein on Sunday 09 June.
3rd place finisher SON OF RAJ was used as the line horse here, hence his unaltered rating of 119.
The specific conditions of this race do not allow for any ratings increase for any horse beyond the winner and accordingly there were no other increases to ratings in this event.
There were rating drops for three horses. PYROMANIAC dropped from 100 to 99, STREET ART dropped from 109 to 108 and lastly EYE OF THE PROPHET dropped from 112 to 108.
- Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.
