An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the Constitution and consisting of Messrs R Bloomberg, C Gordon and D Thistleton was convened on 20 February 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by trainer Ms Candice Dawson against the retained 119 merit rating of TRUST, following his performance in the TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2) on 7 February 2026, at Turffontein racecourse.

On 17 February 2026, an independent Appeal Board, in a separate Appeal brought by trainer Matthew de Kock (and which included trainer Sean Tarry), adjusted the merit ratings of the following horses which had participated in the GAUTENG GUINEAS: 

1st SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 121 – 109 

2nd GRAND EMPIRE: 120 - 108 

(3rd TRUST: 119 ) 

4th ONE EYE ON VEGAS: 118 – 106 

5th YIPPEE KIYAY: 117 – 105 

Based on the findings of the previous Appeal Board, and which this Appeal Panel concurred with and found no valid reason to depart from, the Panel were unanimously of the opinion that TRUST’s rating should be adjusted to that of a MR 107 and which therefore dovetailed with the decision reached by the previous Appeal Board. 

In arriving at their decision, the Appeal Panel were of the view that the handicappers had over-reacted to TRUST’s win over JAN VAN GOYEN in the DINGAANS (Grade 2) and should have erred on the side of caution by rather imposing half the 27lb penalty which they implemented and letting the horse prove the inflated rating they believe he achieved, at his next start. It was also recorded that with hindsight that the form of that race has not worked out with none of the runners finishing 3rd – 8th having registered a single win from a collective 11 starts, including 7 unplaced runs. 

The Panel highlighted that at his next start, TRUST had been beaten by 2.5L by SPLITTHEEIGHTS, in the GOT THE GREENLIGHT STAKES (Grade 3), giving the winner 4lbs. They then met again, in the GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2), the race which was the subject of this Appeal, this time at level weights, and was beaten by 1.4L. Whilst the Panel recognized that TRUST had suffered a degree of interference, they concluded it was clear that TRUST could not be rated higher than SPLITTHEEIGHTS on established form. 

In concluding, the Appeal Panel stated that in all probability, and based on the performance of in particular JAN VAN GOYEN, in the upcoming SA CLASSIC (Grade 1), where a number of these horses would be meeting again at level weights, that the handicappers would obviously be reassessing and readjusting merit ratings. The Appeal Panel added  that whilst it is perfectly conceivable that these horses will ultimately attain the higher ratings allocated by the handicappers, that they are bound to rate horses purely on merit attained and not based on perception, or in fear of losing graded status. The Appeal Panel further made the recommendation that following the running of the SA CLASSIC, that the handicappers re-evaluate the entire 3yo crop. 

The Appeal was accordingly upheld, and the deposit fee is to be refunded to Trainer Ms Candice Dawson. 

Enquiries: 

Michael Shackleton

Legal Executive