LOVE IS A ROSE remains unchanged on a merit rating of 99 after winning the Grade 3 Final Fling Stakes for fillies and mares over 1950m on the winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 22 July. The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed VERONICA MARS made for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 90. In assessing the race this way LOVE IS A ROSE only runs to a mark of 95, hence her unaltered rating.
The National Horseracing Authority invites all stake holders 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 from 26 July 2023 until midnight South African Standard Time (SAST) on 6 August 2023.
The Association of Official Racing Chemists (AORC) supply blind plasma and urine specimens, on an annual basis, to racing laboratories in order for them to confirm their international analysis compliance. Prohibited substances and metabolites from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities racing screening and confirmation requirement list are prepared within these specimens at concentrations which are required to be detected and correctly identified.
WINCHESTER MANSION has had his merit rating raised from 112 to 121 following his triumph in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July over 2200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 1 July.
When deciding on a line horse, the Handicappers considered that 2nd placed SEE IT AGAIN is unexposed, having previously been unbeaten in 2 Grade 1 races over 2000m. It was also noted that he beat the rest of his rivals by at least 3.5 lengths. BLESS MY STARS is also unexposed, especially in open company and was also six pounds under sufferance at the weights. The Handicappers were of the opinion that both SEE IT AGAIN and BLESS MY STARS did not make for suitable line horses given the observations stated above.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that, despite being momentarily held up for a clear run at the top of the straight, the remarkable 4th placed DO IT AGAIN made for the most suitable line horse. This leaves DO IT AGAIN unchanged on a mark of 121. In rating the race this way 5th placed SECOND BASE also runs to his rating, effectively making him a line horse as well and leaving him unchanged on a mark of 120.
Professor Ian Sanne was appointed to the National Board of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (“ the NHA”) in terms of clause 15.1.1 of the Constitution on 27 January 2021.
SOLAR POWER had his rating raised from 92 to 98 following his success in the World Sports Betting Pocket Powers Stakes (Grade 3) run over 1950m on a heavy Hollywoodbets Kenilworth track on 24 June 2023. The Handicappers felt that the consistent TOP QUALITY made for the most suitable line horse here, his rating remains on 95. In rating the race this way SOLAR POWER actually runs to a rating of 105, however, the specific race conditions do not allow for more than a 6 points adjustment for the winner and placed horses. 2nd placed, THE FUTURIST, who achieved a rating of 104 was only raised by 2 pounds from 95 to 97. This ensures that THE FUTURIST would meet the winner SOLAR POWER on correct handicap terms in a Handicap race.
An independent National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) Merit Rating Appeal panel consisting of Messrs R Napier, G Soma and K Miedema was convened virtually on 26 June 2023. The panel considered a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr D Kannemeyer against the published adjusted merit rating of 116, that was allocated to RUNAWAY SONG following his win in the Grade 3 Track and Ball Derby at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 17 June 2023.
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) confirms that the race meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday, 21 June 2023, at Borrowdale Park has been abandoned due to long outstanding administrative commitments.
All material stakeholders have been advised accordingly.
NONE OTHER remains unchanged on a rating of 110 after winning the Grade 2 Track & Ball Oaks for fillies and mares over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 17 June. The Handicappers were of the opinion that NONE OTHER herself made for the most suitable line horse when assessing this race, hence her unaltered rating.
CHARLES DICKENS remains unchanged on a merit rating of 132 after capturing the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on WFA terms over 1600m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 10 June. It was CHARLES DICKENS himself who was considered to make for the most suitable line horse, which is the reason for his unchanged mark. In assessing the race this way, 6th finisher RASCALLION also runs to his mark, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 122 and effectively making him a line horse as well.
