Atticus Finch has had his merit rating raised from 107 to 111 following his success in the Gr3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside course on Saturday 4 November.
Atticus Finch – 107 to 111 (Pic – JC Photos)
The Handicappers were of the view that last years’ winner LITIGATION who placed 4th here made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 110.
The only other horse to receive an increase in ratings is ELECTRIC GOLD, who goes up from 102 to 105. A noteworthy performer here is SON OF RAJ, who runs above his rating at these weight terms but cannot be adjusted due to him running unplaced in 5th spot.
Two horses were given rating’s drops, WHAFEEF was dropped from 107 to 105 and STAR COIN was reassessed after failing to confirm his 6th place finish in the Gr1 SA Classic, he was adjusted downwards from 108 to 100.
National Colour Stakes (Listed) (Handicap) – formerly Gardenia Stakes (Listed)
GOLDEN SICKLE has had her rating raised from 102 to 110 following her impressive win in the Listed National Colour Stakes for fillies and mares over the straight 1000m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here, all of ALULA’S STAR, FLOWERBOMB and MOONSHININGTHROUGH were considered suitable line horses having finished in a line in this handicap race.
ICE STAR, who was 9 pounds under sufferance and ON CUE, who was 13 pounds under sufferance (benchmarked 94 = 52kg handicap) only received marginal adjustments from 95 to 99 and 81 to 84 respectively.
Two horses received rating’s drops. ROSE OF TRIPPI dropped marginally from 88 to 87 and FULL VELOCITY was dropped from 104 to 101.
Woolavington Stakes (Listed)
The hugely progressive MUCHO DINERO sees his rating increased from 93 to 99 after easily accounting for last years’ winner BARATHEON in the Woolavington Stakes Listed over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up BARATHEON made for the most suitable line horse here, he remains unchanged on a rating of 100. In rating the race this way MUCHO DINERO runs to a slightly higher figure but had to be capped at a rating of 99 due to the specific conditions of the race which state that the winner may only receive a maximum adjustment of 6 pounds.
Five horses were given a rating’s drop.
LOVE IS A ROSE was dropped by 1 pound from 99 to 98, OTTO LUYKEN was dropped from 103 to 101, RUNAWAY SONG was dropped from 116 to 114, WITH PLEASURE is down from 105 to 102, while SALVATOR MUNDI drops from 107 to 104.
Jonsson Workwear Algoa Cup (Listed) (Handicap)
FUTURE SWING had his rating adjusted by 4 pounds from 94 to 98 after winning the Jonsson Workwear Algoa Cup (Listed) handicap over 2000m at Fairview on Sunday.
Last years’ winner HAN SOLO was considered to be the most suitable line horse and he remains on a rating of 104.
No less than 5 horses received rating’s drops in this handicap. LORD WILLIAM and QUASIMODO were both dropped a pound each from 107 to 106 and 94 to 93 respectively. CAT DADDY and FIND ME UNAFRAID were both cut 3 pounds each from 101 to 98 and 95 to 92 respectively, while HOEDSPRUIT was dropped from 112 to 110.
Racehorse Owners Association Stakes (Listed)
ZOOMIE, who was weighted to win the Racehorse Owners Association Stakes (Listed), remains unchanged on a rating of 101 for his success on Friday 3 November over 1600m at Fairview racecourse.
The Handicappers opted to used FAIRY KNIGHT as the line horse here, he remains on a rating of 93. In rating the race this way, the winner actually runs to a mark of 94, hence his unchanged rating. HAT’S PRIDE, who finished 1.5 lengths or 3 pounds behind FAIRY KNIGHT at level weights was accordingly adjusted to be rated 3 pounds inferior to the line horse, from 84 to 90.
Four horses received a rating’s drop for this event. THE WINTER LAKE from 88 to 86, LORD MILORI from 83 to 81, VISION OF WONDER from 93 to 91 and SYMBOL OF LOVE was dropped from 75 to 71.
