The National Horseracing Authority handicappers have published their merit rating assessments after the weekend.
- Gr2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Joburg Spring Challenge
WILLIAM ROBERTSON remains unchanged on a rating of 125 following his success in the Grade 2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 1 October.
William Robertson and After The Rain in the chase for glory (Pic – JC Photos)
The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3rd finisher BINGWA made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 118. In assessing the race this way WILLIAM ROBERTSON only runs to a mark of 124, hence his unaltered rating.
The specific conditions of the race do not permit any increase to the rating of any horse other than the winner. Accordingly, runner-up AFTER THE RAIN remains on 104 despite running to a mark of 123, and 4th placed MERCANTOUR is unchanged on 105 although achieving a rating of 114.
The only drop was for PRINCE OF FIRE, who is down slightly from 114 to 113.
- Gr2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge
HUMDINGER has had her rating raised from 95 to 103 after winning the Grade 2 Topbet Joburg Spring F&M Challenge over 1450m. The Handicappers were of the opinion that 4th finisher MERCURY RISING made for the best line horse here, which leaves her unchanged on a rating of 106.
In assessing the race this way HUMDINGER actually runs to a mark of 111, but the specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than eight pounds for the winner. Accordingly, the Handicappers were forced to cap the winner on a mark of 103.
The race conditions also do not allow for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner therefore 3rd placed GIMME A SHOT remains on 102 despite actually running to a mark of 108.
Two horses were given a rating’s drop. BIG BURN is down from 122 to 120, while SUPREME QUEST drops from 108 to 106.
- Gr3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes
TRIP OF FORTUNE has had his rating lifted from 112 to 119 following his success in the Grade 3 Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday. TRIP OF FORTUNE in fact crossed the line in 2nd place, a short head behind SILVER OPERATOR, but the placings were reversed following a successful objection.
The finish of the Hollywoodbets Matchem Stakes (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Notwithstanding this, the Handicappers remained of the view that SILVER OPERATOR made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race. He remains unchanged on 119, which makes him equal to TRIP TO FORTUNE, who carried half-a-kilo less than SILVER OPERATOR.
The specific race conditions do not allow for an increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner and accordingly 3rd finisher LOOK FOR HOUNDS remains unchanged on 104 despite actually achieving a mark of 112.
Three horses were given a rating’s drop. SPEED MACHINE is down from 113 to 111, RUSSIAN ROCK goes from 118 to 116, while CAPTAIN OF STEALTH drops to 106 from 107.
- Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes
SANTA MARIA remains unchanged on a rating of 106 following her win in the Grade 2 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m. It was in fact SANTA MARIA herself who was considered to make for the best line horse, hence her unchanged rating. In assessing the race this way, 4th placed KWINTA’S LIGHT runs to her mark of 102, effectively making her a line horse as well.
Here too, the specific conditions of the race do not permit for any increase in the rating of any horse beyond the winner. Therefore, 3rd finisher GOING UP remains on a rating of 98 even though she actually achieved a mark of 104.
No horse was given a rating’s drop, which means that no change was made to the rating of any of the seven horses who contested this event.
- Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 4 October 2022
