Atticus Finch has had his merit rating raised from 112 to 121 following his success in the Betway Gr1 Summer Cup over 2000m on the Turffontein standside course on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that the 2nd placed finisher Purple Pitcher made for a suitable line horse, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 123.
Atticus Finch has had his merit rating increased (Pic – JC Photos)
It must be borne in mind that Atticus Finch’s adjustment includes the under-sufferance amount of 7 points as this race was benchmarked at 119 = 54kg at the bottom end of the weights.
This benchmark ensures that the race keeps a minimum standard of 119.
The other runners to get increases in ratings were 3rd place finisher Rule By Force, who went up from 112 to 117 and 4th place finisher Madison Valley, who went up to 117 from 110.
Rule By Force was 7 points under sufferance but finished 2 points (1.15 length) behind the line horse and Madison Valley was 10 points under sufferance but finished 3 points (1.25 length) behind the line horse, hence their respective adjustments.
The following horses were given drops in ratings. Frances Ethel was dropped from 118 to 117, Puerto Manzano was dropped from 120 to 119, Future Pearl was dropped to 117 from 118, Litigation was dropped to 113 from 114, My Soul Mate was dropped by 3 pounds from 108 to 105, Hotarubi was dropped to 114 from 115 and lastly Pure Predator was dropped to 118 from 119.
Betway Gr2 Dingaans
Quid Pro Quo had her rating adjusted from 112 to 115 after her impressive win in the Betway Gr2 Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that 2nd placed Fire Attack made for the most suitable line horse here and he remained on a rating of 111.
In assessing Quid Pro Quo’s winning margin, the Handicappers observed that this filly won by far easier than the numerical official margin and further noted that she was clearly eased down before the finish, hence her adjustment to 115 from 112.
Greaterix, was adjusted to 106 from 105 while 4th placed Parisian Walkway and 5th placed Chestnut Bomber were raised from 97 to 101 and 97 to 99 respectively. The only other horse that was given an increase was Zanthar, who was increased from 83 to 86 to ensure that he is not rated lower than the 85 rated Dance King who he beat at level weights here.
Two horses were given ratings drops of 2 pounds each, Waheed and Zip Code were both dropped from 107 to 105 and 94 to 92 respectively.
New Turf Carriers Gr3 Merchants
Mount Pilatus saw his merit rating increased from 100 to 106 after he accounted for his rivals in the New Turf Carriers Gr3 Merchants over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Here it was 3rd placed Melech who was considered to be the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 117.
The Handicappers noted that Melech was carried in, in the concluding stages and objected against the runner-up Pistol Pete, however the Stewards were of the opinion that Melech would not have finished ahead of Pistol Pete and overruled the objection.
The Handicappers also felt that the runner-up Pistol Pete was unexposed at open Grade 3 handicap level and ruled him out as a suitable line horse. He was the only other runner besides the winner to have his rating increased and was adjusted from 112 to 113.
The following horses were given drops, Sheldon was dropped from 110 to 108, Rulership was dropped from 119 to 118, Red Bomber was dropped from 107 to 104 and Quantum Theory was dropped from 111 to 109 and Gimmeanotherchance was dropped to 112 from 115.
Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile
World Of Alice was increased to 108 from 101 after winning the Betway Gr3 Fillies Mile over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that the 4th placed finisher Frozen Fantasy made for the most suitable line horse and she remained on a rating of 103.
The runner-up Fiery Pegasus who finished 0.25 lengths behind the 108 rated winner, was adjusted accordingly to 107 from 105.
Willy Meet Again had to be capped at a rating of 102 even after beating the 103 rated line horse Frozen Fantasy at level weights, courtesy of the arbitrary ratings cap of 4 points for the placed runners in the race conditions.
No runners received drops to their ratings in this event.
Betway Gr3 Carry On Alice Stakes
Chasing Happiness had her rating adjusted from 103 to 109 after narrowly landing the Betway Gr3 Carry On Alice Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein.
4th placed Mia Moo was considered to be the most suitable line horse here and she remained unchanged on a mark of 103.
The runner-up Elegant Ice and 3rd placed Garlandsofgreenery had to be capped to ratings of 108 and 94 respectively, courtesy of the arbitrary 3 points cap placed on rating adjustments in the race conditions.
Two fillies were given a drop of 1 point each, Troppo Veloce was dropped to 106 from 107 and One Fell Swoop was dropped to 103 from 104.
- Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 03 December 2024.
