The three-year-old, Eight On Eighteen, has seen his rating increased from 115 to 127 after capturing the World Sports Betting Gr1 Cape Town Met run at weight for age terms over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
WSB Gr1 Cape Town Met winner Eight On Eighteen (Richard Fourie) has seen his merit rating increased (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Handicappers agreed to use runner up, Oriental Charm, as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unaltered on 125.
The winner aside, there was also merit ratings increases for four more horses. Rascallion, who finished fifth, went up to 124 from 122, while Pacaya went up from 116 to 118 and Future Swing was increased to 117 from 114. This will ensure that Pacaya and Future Swing meet on correct weight terms in a handicap race.
Lastly, Baratheon received a partial adjustment of two points from 106 to 108.
Two horses were given merit ratings drops following this contest. See It Again was dropped to 128 from 131 after failing to confirm his pre-rating of 131 in his recent outings. Al Muthana went down to 114 from 116.
HKJC World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship
Gimme A Prince, who remains unbeaten over 1000m, has had his rating adjusted to 134 from 129 after impressively landing his second HKJC World Pool Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at weight for age terms over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Runner up, Surjay, was considered to be the most suitable line horse to rate this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 124.
In addition to the winner, two more horses received upward adjustments in their ratings. Future Variety went up to 114 from 112 and Café Culture was adjusted from 113 to 114.
Bereave was the solitary runner to receive a drop in the ratings and he dropped slightly from 116 to 114.
Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes
Rascova has seen her official merit rating adjusted to 122 from 119 following her victory in the Maine Chance Farms Gr1 Majorca Stakes at weight for age terms over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Here it was runner up, Double Grand Slam, who was used to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 122.
There were merit ratings increases for two more runners besides the winner. Third place finisher, Roccapina, was adjusted to 116 from 111 while Kinda Wonderful, who finished fourth, went up to 109 from 104.
The were no ratings drops for any runner in this race.
Tsogo Sun Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes
Rainbow Lorikeet’s official merit rating remains unchanged on 111 after winning the Tsogo Sun Gr3 Summer Fling Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers believed that Rainbow Lorikeet herself made for the most ideal line horse to rate this race hence her unchanged rating.
Runner up, Time For Love was the only runner to go up in the ratings, and she went up to 105 from 102.
There were, however, merit rating drops of three points each for two horses following this contest. Saartjie, who was rated to win this contest was dropped to 113 from 116 and Gold Poker Game went down from 107 to 104.
New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers
Mucho Dinero’s official merit rating was adjusted from 110 to 115 following his victory in the New Turf Carriers Gr3 Western Cape Stayers over 2800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Here, it was third place finisher, Triple Time, who was deemed to be the most suitable line horse, leaving his rating unchanged on 110.
Runner up, Love Is A Rose, was one of three other runners that went up in their ratings in this race and she went up to 105 from 101. Fourth place finisher, King Pelles, went up to 105 from 96 and Otto Luyken, who finished fifth went up to 104 from 100.
This ensures that King Pelles and Otto Luyken meet at correct terms should they meet in a handicap. It should also be noted that these two horses were rated to finish at the back of the field and clearly outperformed their official pre-ratings, hence their adjustments.
Future Pearl was the only runner to receive a drop in the ratings and he went down slightly to 115 from 116.
City Of Cape Town Gr3 Politician Stakes
Zeitz has seen his rating upped to 97 from 85 after comfortably landing the City Of Cape Town Gr3 Politician Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that fourth place finisher, Dawn Till Dusk made for the most suitable line horse to assess this race leaving his rating unchanged on 93.
There were increases for two more runners besides the winner.
Runner up, Garrix, went up to 97 from 95 while third place finisher, Native Ruler, was increased to 91 from 85.
The only runner to receive a drop in the ratings was French Flame who went down to 93 from 98.
SABC Listed Olympic Duel Stakes
I’m So Pritti has had her official merit rating increased to 100 from 92 after winning the SABC Listed Olympic Duel Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
Here, it was third place finisher, Siddeley, who was used to assess this race leaving his rating unchanged on 99.
Runner up, Disting, had to be capped on 92 even though she achieved a much higher mark. This is due to the conditions of this race that do not allow for an increase of more than three points for placed runners.
No fewer than three horses received merit ratings drops after this race. Symphony In White went down to 105 from 107 and Pineapplemintgreen was reduced to 95 from 99. Lastly, Golden Tatjana dropped to 87 from 92.
4Racing Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap
Thunee Playa has had his rating adjusted to 105 from 103 following his victory in the 4Racing Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap over 1800m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Sunday.
Here it was runner up, Silent War, and third place finisher, Son Of Raj, who were considered the most suitable line horses, leaving their ratings unchanged on 100 and 119 respectively.
Royal Edition, who finished sixth in this race, was the other runner apart from the winner to receive an increment in the ratings and he went up to 90 from 85. This partial increase received by Royal Edition was due to him being 16 points (8kg) under sufferance at the weights.
Two horses received drops in their ratings. Fifth place finisher, Marauding Horde went down to 99 from 100 while Hotarubi was reduced to 112 from 114.
4Racing Listed Spook Express Stakes
Littlemarysunshine’s official merit rating has been increased from 89 to 95 after she captured the 4Racing Listed Spook Express Stakes over 2400m at Turffontein on Sunday.
Runner up, My Soulmate was considered to be the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged on 106.
There were no other increases to any other runner in this race but there was a drop in the ratings for Patches Of Grey who went down slightly to 71 from 72.
- Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 28 January 2025.
