Main Defender has had his rating raised from 113 to 121 following his emphatic success in the Gr2 Betway Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 7th October.
The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 2nd placed Thunderstruck made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 118.
Main Defender – very progressive! (Pic – 4Racing)
In assessing the race this way Main Defender runs to a higher mark but the specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than eight pounds.
Placed runners may only be increased by a maximum of 4 pounds and accordingly, 3rd placed Ready To Charge was adjusted to a rating of 109 from 105 despite running to a higher mark.
The following horses were given ratings’ drops, William Robertson was dropped from 121 to 119, BINGWA was lowered marginally from 120 to 119, Cabinet Shuffle and MK’s Pride were dropped 2 pounds each, from 106 to 104 and 120 to 118 respectively. The only other horse to receive a drop was Unzen, who was reduced from 106 to 101.
- Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge (Gr2)
The well weighted Feather Boa remained unchanged on a rating of 114 after winning the Gr2 Betway Joburg Spring F&M Challenge over 1450m.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that 2nd place finisher Captain Peg made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 109. In rating the race this way 5th finisher Marigold Hotel runs to her rating of 107 making her a line horse as well.
The specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than four pounds for the placed horses. Accordingly, the Handicappers had to cap the 3rd placed Just Be Lekker to 97 (from 93) despite running to a higher mark. The only other increase was for 4th placed Emirate Gina who is adjusted to 105 from 102.
The following horses were given drops of 1 pound each, Gimme A Shot from 113 to 112, Tipsy Tarragon from 109 to 108 and Full Velocity was dropped to 104 from 105.
- Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes (Gr3)
Charles Dickens remains unchanged on a rating of 132 following his seasonal debut success in the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
Charles Dickens wins the Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In assessing this race, the Handicappers were of the unanimous view that Royal Aussie made for the most suitable line horse. In fact, the 1st three finishers ran in merit rating order and accordingly, their ratings remain unchanged.
After The Rain did achieve a higher figure than his official merit rating but the specific conditions in this race preclude the increase of placed runners.
The only runner to receive a ratings drop was Bright Green, who was dropped from 101 to 96.
Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes (Gr3)
Golden Hostess remains unchanged on a rating of 117 following her win in the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m. Gimme’s Lassie was considered to make for the best line horse. In assessing the race this way, Golden HostessS only runs to a mark of 109 hence her unchanged rating.
The specific conditions of the race do not permit for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner. Therefore, 3rd finisher Cala Muretta remains on a rating of 101 even though she actually achieved a mark of 105.
The only horse to receive a ratings drop was Who Do You Love, who was dropped from 99 to 97.
- Media release by NHA on Tuesday 10 October 2023
