Betway Summer Cup (Grade 1) 

ROYAL VICTORY has had his merit rating raised from 111 to 119 following his success in the Betway Summer Cup (Grade 1) (Handicap) over 2000m on the Turffontein standside course on Saturday 25 November 2023.  The Handicappers were of the view that both 2^nd placed SAFE PASSAGE and 3^rd placed BLESS MY STARS made for suitable line horses, which leaves them unchanged on marks of 117 and 119 respectively.  It must be borne in mind that ROYAL VICTORY’s adjustment includes the under-sufferance amount of 3 pounds as this race was benchmarked at 113 = 54kg.

 The only other increase in ratings was for ZEUS who was also under sufferance and goes up from 111 to 113. 

The following horses were given drops in ratings. SHOEMAKER was dropped from 112 to 111, ARAGOSTA was dropped from 114 to 112, SECOND BASE and ANFIELDS ROCKET were both dropped by 3 pounds each from 117 to 114 and 120 to 117 respectively, while EAST COAST and LADY OF POWER were both dropped by 2 pounds each from 110 to 108 and 107 to 105 respectively.

Following the Press Release that was sent out on Sunday night, 26 November 2023, “URGENT UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF INTERIM SUSPENSION – TRAINER TONY PETER”, and the conclusion of the investigation, the following will be considered, inter alia, by an Inquiry Board. 

Trainer Tony Peter was advised on 25 November 2023 to present selected runners for the taking of pre-race specimens. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that following an incident on Saturday morning, 25 November 2023, and the uncooperative nature of the stable representative and persons present at the time at the stables of Trainer Mr Tony Peter at Turffontein Racecourse, the remaining horses that were carded to race following the running of Race 1 were withdrawn by the Stipendiary Stewards.  An immediate investigation was opened into this incident necessitating an interim suspension being placed on Trainer Tony Peter in terms of Rule 91.2.

 As a result of the aforementioned, the preliminary investigation has been completed and consequently the interim suspension imposed on Trainer Tony Peter has been lifted forthwith. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that in terms of, inter alia,  Rule 91.2, it has imposed an Interim suspension on Trainer Mr Tony Peter effective from today, Saturday 25 November 2023, at 12h21. Consequently, all horses under the care of Trainer Peter will NOT be eligible to participate in races pending the conclusion of the investigation. This investigation has emanated from a stable visit by NHA Officials earlier today, which raised certain serious concerns. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms a Prohibited Substance finding which is aligned with its decision to publish the status of all Prohibited Substance matters from the commencement of the new Racing Season. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms a Prohibited Substance finding which is aligned with its decision to publish the status of all Prohibited Substance matters from the commencement of the new Racing Season. 

• The presence of Flunixin (Class 4) was disclosed upon analysis of a specimen taken from EYE OF THE PROPHET prior to the running of the 7^th race, Allied Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile (Grade 2), at Turffontein Racecourse on 28 October 2023.  The Trainer responsible, Mr P F Matchett elected to sign an Admission of Guilt and was fined an amount of R85 000.