Cosmic Speed’s merit rating was increased from 116 to 120 following his victory in the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m at the Turffontein Standside Track on Saturday.
Cosmic Speed (Craig Zackey) has seen his merit rating increased to 120 (Pic – JC Photos)
The Handicappers unanimously agreed that the third-place finisher, Imilenzeyokududuma, was the most suitable line horse for assessing this race, leaving his rating unchanged at 114.
Runner-up Texas Red also saw an increase in his rating, going up to 115 from 110 for beating the 114-rated line horse at level weight terms.
No downward adjustments were made to any runners in this race.
TAB Gr1 SA Classic
Confederate’s official merit rating was adjusted to 118 from 107 after he led from start to finish to win the TAB Gr1 SA Classic for three-year-olds over 1800m.
The Handicappers decided to use the third-place finisher, Legend Of Arthur, as the line horse, keeping his rating unaltered at 109. Besides the winner, three other horses received merit rating increases.
Runner-up Fire Attack was raised from 111 to 116 after finishing 3.40 lengths ahead of the 109-rated line horse at level weights. Fourth-place finisher Grey Jet moved up from 96 to 108 after finishing just 0.40 lengths behind the line horse at level weights. Lastly, Busstopinhounslow was increased from 95 to 104.
Chestnut Bomber was the only runner to receive a drop in ratings, dropping slightly from 106 to 104.
Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic
Fiery Pegasus has had her rating increased from 115 to 119 after she won the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic for three-year-old fillies over 1800m.
The Handicappers considered World Of Alice to be the most suitable key horse for assessing this race, leaving her rating unchanged at 108.
Runner-up Olivia’s Way was one of two other horses that received upward adjustments, moving her rating from 110 to 112. Gerbera, who finished 0.50 lengths ahead of the 98-rated Care Forgot, was adjusted from 88 to 99.
No runners received a drop in their merit ratings in this race.
TAB Gr3 JJ The Jet Plane Stakes
William Robertson’s official merit rating has been adjusted from 125 to 128 following his victory in the TAB Gr3 JJ The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m.
The Handicappers selected the third-place finisher, Mover And Shaker, as the line horse, leaving his rating unchanged at 112.
Three horses received downward adjustments in their ratings after the race. Taxi To The Moon and Exchange Student each received slight drops, with Taxi To The Moon going from 105 to 104 and Exchange Student from 106 to 105. Mrs. Browning saw a drop of three points, from 118 to 115.
Wilgerbosdrift Listed Acacia Stakes
Gimmefabulous’ rating has been raised to 102 from 96 after winning the Wilgerbosdrift Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m.
Due to the specific conditions of this race, which do not allow for an increase of more than six points for the winner, Gimmefabulous’ rating was capped at 102, even though her performance warranted a higher rating.
Third-place finisher Lady Fallon was used as the line horse to assess this race, leaving her rating unchanged at 102. Francine, who finished fourth, was the only other runner to see an upward adjustment, increasing from 100 to 101.
Three horses received drops in their ratings: Cape Lights went down to 91 from 92, Elembee was reduced from 81 to 79, and Key Element dropped by one point from 98 to 97.
Listed Breeders Guineas
Splicethemainbrace’s rating remains unchanged at 108 following her victory in the Listed Breeders Guineas over 1600m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.
The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the runner-up, Can’t Say No, as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged at 87. Two other runners received merit rating increases; Bela Vista was raised from 81 to 86, while From A Distance was increased to 85 from 81.
There were no downward adjustments for any runners in this race.
- Media release by the NHA on Tuesday, 04 March 2025.
