The NHRA Handicappers have assessed the weekend’s feature racing and adjusted merit ratings.
- Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900
The specific conditions of this event do not permit the winner to be raised more than six pounds and no increase in the ratings of placed horses.
She’s A Keeper ran a 104 – goes to 96 (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
As such, despite running to a mark of 104, SHE’S A KEEPER has had her merit rating raised from 90 to 96 following her success in the above event on the Greyville turf course on Sunday 16 May.
The Handicappers were of the view that 4th placed CROWN TOWERS made for the most suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a rating of 115. Runner-up MATTERHORN and 3rd finisher SHAVOUT remain unaltered on 100 and 87, respectively, even though they actually both run to a mark of 110.
Two horses received a rating’s drop.
TRISTFUL was trimmed from 113 to 112, while MARCHINGONTOGETHER is down from 106 to 104.
- Listed KRA East Coast Cup
KEEP ON DANCING has had her rating increased from 78 to 82 after she captured the Listed East Coast Cup for fillies and mares over 2000m at Greyville on Sunday.
The Handicappers took the view that runner-up SCENTED MISTRESS made for the best line horse and accordingly her rating remains unchanged on 91. In assessing the race this way, 4th placed ELECTRIC SURGE runs to her rating of 78 and she effectively becomes a line horse as well.
Three runners were however given a rating’s drop. SILVA MAGIC is down from 86 to 85, JACQUELINE drops to 80 from 83, and lastly FLICHITY BY FARR was cut from 94 to 91.
- Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby
JAEGER MOON has had his rating raised from 94 to 108 after he defied top weight to land the Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby over 2400m on the Fairview turf course on Friday.
It was 3rd placed SWAZI QUEEN who was used as the line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 100. Runner-up COLORADO SPRINGS also remains unchanged on a rating of 100.
It must be factored into calculations that JAEGER MOON was conceding 3.5 kgs to COLORADO SPRINGS and 2.5 kgs to SWAZI QUEEN, and it is also should be borne in mind that JAEGER MOON has won seven times from eight starts this season.
4th placed FIND ME UNAFRAID was the only other horse to receive a rating’s increase and goes up from 88 to 94. This keeps him in line with 5th placed HEARTBREAK HOTEL, who finished 3.5 lengths or six pounds behind FIND ME UNAFRAID and who remains unchanged on a rating of 88.
There were no drops for any runners in this event.
- Listed Syringa Handicap
WAY OF THE WORLD has had her rating raised from 93 to 97 after she won the Listed Syringa Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m on the inside track at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Handicappers felt that 3rd placed QUERARI FERRARI and 4th finisher GAIAN GLORY made for the best line horses, leaving them unchanged on ratings of 92 of 87, respectively. However, 2nd placed WYLIE WENCH goes up slightly from 98 to 99.
There were no other increases, but five horses were given a rating’s drop. RIO’S WINTER was trimmed from 106 to 105, IN THE DANCE is down from 101 to 99, VIRGINIA is down to 86 from 88, FROSTED STEEL was dropped from 91 to 90, and lastly SIDONIE was dropped from 86 to 84.
Media release by NHRA on Tuesday 18 May 2021
