Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile (Handicap) (Grade 2) 

PUERTO MANZANO has seen his merit rating increase from 123 to 125 after winning the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile (handicap) over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 28 October.  The Handicappers were of the opinion that BLESS MY STARS made for the ideal line horse here, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 119.

KISS ME CAPTAIN has had her merit rating raised from 109 to 111 after winning the Listed Southeaster Sprint (handicap) over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.  The Handicappers believed that 2^nd placed COUNTDOWN made for the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 107. When deciding on a line horse, the Handicappers considered that KWINTA’S LIGHT was unable to secure a clear run at the 300m mark and MR COBBS had to switch in for a clear run at the 150m mark, and deemed them to be unsuitable line horses. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that upon analysis by its Laboratory, the presence of Trendione, a forbidden substance, was disclosed in a urine specimen taken from BEVIES DELIGHT after it had won Race 7 at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 17 September 2023.  It was also noted that the specimen taken from this filly contained Altrenogest, an oestrus suppressant, which use is provided for in the provisions of the Exempted Substances List (Appendix N of the Rules). 

The National Horseracing Authority invites all stakeholders and members of the public for comments on proposed amendments to the Rules.  

The associated proposed amendments to the Rules have been published on the NHA website and open for comment until midnight South African Standard Time (SAST) on 22 October 2023.  

As a reminder, to access the proposed amendments to the Rules and to comment thereon, kindly go on to the NHA website (www.nhra.co.za).  

• Betway Joburg Spring Challenge (Grade 2)

MAIN DEFENDER has had his rating raised from 113 to 121 following his emphatic success in the Grade 2 Betway Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 7^th October. 

The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 2^nd placed THUNDERSTRUCK made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 118.  In assessing the race this way MAIN DEFENDER runs to a higher mark but the specific race conditions do not allow for a rating increase of more than eight pounds. Placed runners may only be increased by a maximum of 4 pounds and accordingly, 3^rd placed READY TO CHARGE was adjusted to a rating of 109 from 105 despite running to a higher mark.

The following horses were given ratings’ drops, WILLIAM ROBERTSON was dropped from 121 to 119, BINGWA was lowered marginally from 120 to 119, CABINET SHUFFLE and MK’S PRIDE were dropped 2 pounds each, from 106 to 104 and 120 to 118 respectively. The only other horse to receive a drop was UNZEN, who was reduced from 106 to 101. 

Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy (Handicap) (Listed)

SENSO UNICO has had his merit rating raised from 106 to 111 following his win in the Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday 23 September 2023.  FLOWER OF SAIGON was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a rating of 101. TRIPLE TIME, who could be considered unlucky after switching out for a clear run, was adjusted from 102 to 106 for beating the line horse by 2.5 lengths.

There were no other ratings’ increases, and only one horse received a drop.  MASTER REDOUTE was dropped from 102 to 99.