Candice Bass Robinson’s Trip Of Fortune has seen his merit rating increased from 119 to 125 following his success on WFA terms in the Gr1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m on the Turffontein standside track on Saturday 1 April.
The Handicappers were of the view that fourth- placed Under Your Spell made for the best line horse here, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 114.
There were also ratings increases for runner-up MK’S PRIDE, who was raised from 120 to 122, for 3rd placed ANFIELDS ROCKET, who goes up from 118 to 120, and for GIMME A SHOT, who was raised from 112 to 113. The last named encountered considerable interference in running and would doubtless have finished closer otherwise, therefore the Handicappers are comfortable with a slight increase in her rating.
No horses were given a ratings drop from this race.
WSB Gr1 SA Derby
SON OF RAJ has had his rating raised from 81 to 115 following his success in the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby for three-year-olds over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Son Of Raj cruises in under Keagan de Melo (Pic – JC Photos)
The Handicappers were of the opinion that 3rd finisher RULE BY FORCE made for the best line horse here, which leaves him with an unaltered rating of 108.
There were also ratings increases for 4th placed FUTURE PEARL, who goes up from 81 to 100, and for 5th finisher TOP SAIL, who was raised to 96 to 86.
The latter has been rated relative to FUTURE PEARL, ensuring that these two would meet on the correct terms should they clash in a handicap race.
The only drop was for ELECTRIC GOLD, who is down from 106 to 104.
Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer Gr2 SA Oaks
NONE OTHER has had her rating lifted from 104 to 110 after she won the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks for three-year-old fillies over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here it was 2nd placed RENY who was deemed to make for the correct line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 106. In assessing the race this way 5th placed SILVER HILLS also runs to her mark, effectively making her a line horse as well and leaving her with an unchanged rating of 100.
The winner aside, the only other increase was for 6th placed IPSO FACTO, who goes up from 89 to 94 to make her at least one pound higher than the 93-rated 8th finisher LITTLEMARYSUNSHINE.
No horse from this race received a ratings drop.
Europa Point Gr3 Man O’ War Sprint
MERCANTOUR has had his merit rating raised from 110 to 116 after winning the Grade 3 Europa Point Man O’War Sprint for three-year-olds over 1100m at Turffontein on Saturday. The Handicappers were unanimous in their opinion that 3rd placed TROMPIE made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 99.
In assessing the race this way MERCANTOUR actually runs to a mark of 124, but the specific conditions of the race do not allow for an increase of more than six pounds in the rating of the winner, and accordingly the Handicappers were obliged to cap MERCANTOUR at 116. Similarly, the race conditions do not permit for a rating’s increase for horses other than the winner and as such runner-up GOBSMACKED remains on a mark of 113 despite actually running to a rating of 118.
There were no ratings drops from this race.
WSB Gr3 Caradoc Gold Cup
NEBRAAS has had his rating raised slightly from 116 to 117 after winning the Grade 3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m at Turffontein on Saturday. Here the Handicappers were of the unanimous view that runner-up SHANGANI was the right line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 120.
Here again, the specific race conditions do not permit for any increase in the rating of a horse other than the winner, and so 3rd placed ARUMUGAM and 4th finisher ARLINGTON ACTION remain on marks of 94 and 84, respectively, despite actually achieving ratings of 98 and 91, respectively.
No horse in this race was given a rating’s drop.
Gr3 Umzimkhulu Stakes
SHANTASTIC has had her rating elevated from 90 to 101 after she captured the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 2 April. Here it was runner-up CANADIAN SUMMER who was used as the line horse, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 108.
Aside from the winner the only other ratings increase was for 3rd placed LET IT SNOW, who goes up from 85 to 90. No horse from this race was given a rating’s drop.
Gr3 Byerley Turk
STRAWBERRY BEAR has had his rating upped from 99 to 106 after winning the Grade 3 Byerley Turk for three-year-olds over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Here it was 4th placed CAPTAIN CASEY who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 103.
Aside from the winner the only increase was for 6th placed GOLD INDEX, who goes up from 78 to 84 to at least make him two pounds higher than the 82-rated 8th finisher AERIAL DISPLAY.
No horse in this race was given a rating’s drop.
Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes
ANCIENT EPIC has been given a small rating’s increase from 84 to 85 after she won the Listed Kwazulu-Natal Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. Here it was 3rd placed AMARANDI who was used as the line horse, leaving her unaltered on a mark of 87.
Aside from the winner the only other ratings increase was for 2nd placed SABATINI, who goes up from 89 to 91.
There were drops for three horses. 4th placed WARSHIP is down slightly from 93 to 92, BEVIES DELIGHT drops to 95 from 97, and lastly TIME FO ORCHIDS drops from 107 to 105.
- Media release by National Horseracing Authority on 4 April 2023.
