Following the resignation of Mr Bradley Ralph, the position of the Racing Operators’ representative on the Nominations Committee became vacant.
In terms of Clause 14.3.2 of the NHA’s Constitution the Racing Operators have unanimously agreed that Mr Gregory Bortz, the Chairman of Kenilworth Racing (Cape Racing), will replace Mr Ralph on the Nominations Committee. This was agreed to by the other Members of the Nominations Committee.
GIMME A PRINCE has had his merit rating raised from 125 to 130 after he captured the Grade 1 Golden Horse Sprint (handicap) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 3 June. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 4th finisher BARTHOLDI made for the most suitable line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 119.
There were also raised ratings for runner-up THUNDERSTRUCK, who was lifted from 115 to 117, and for 3rd finisher SURJAY, who is up from 117 to 119. The only other increase was for 5th placed PEARL OF ASIA, who was 8 pounds or 4 kgs under sufferance at the weights and who accordingly goes up from 105 to 112.
No fewer than six horses were given a rating’s drop. SEEKING THE STARS is down slightly from 124 to 123, UNDER YOUR SPELL is down from 114 to 113, FULL VELOCITY drops to 108 from 110, TAIKONAUT is down from 117 to 115, GOOD TRAVELLER drops to 110 from 113, and lastly AFTER THE RAIN was trimmed from 105 to 104.
SEE IT AGAIN, who was rated to win on official merit ratings, remains unchanged on a rating of 124 following his success in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 over 2000m on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 27 May. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that SEE IT AGAIN himself made for the best line horse, which explains his unchanged rating. In assessing the race this way 2nd placed DAVE THE KING, who was rated joint 2nd on official merit ratings, also runs to his mark effectively making him a line horse as well and leaving him unchanged on a rating of 122.
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 22 May 2023 until midnight South African Standard Time (SAST) on 5 June 2023.
ITSRAININGWILLIAM remains unchanged on a mark of 109 after he captured the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m on the winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 20 May. It was in fact ITSRAININGWILLIAM himself who was deemed to make for the best line horse, hence his unchanged rating. In assessing the race this way 3rd finisher ROCKPOOL also runs to his rating, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 109 and effectively making him a line horse as well.
The only ratings increase was for runner-up MASTER REDOUTE, who goes up from 99 to 105. However, the specific conditions of the race do not allow for a greater increase than six pounds for the first three finishers and as such MASTER REDOUTE had to be capped at 105 even though he actually achieved a mark of 107.
Similarly, the race conditions allow for no ratings increase at all beyond the first three finishers and so 4th placed KING REGENT remains unchanged on a mark of 103 although actually running to a rating of 108.
The only drop was for POMP AND POWER, who is down slightly from 124 to 123.
PACAYA has had his merit rating raised from 104 to 110 after winning the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900 over 1900m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 13th May. The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd finisher RASCALLION made for the most suitable line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 122. In assessing the race this way 6th placed LITIGATION and 7th finisher INDLAMU both run to their marks, effectively making them line horses as well and leaving them unchanged on ratings of 112 and 99, respectively.
TRIP OF FORTUNE has had his rating raised from 125 to 127 after winning the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 6 May. The Handicappers were of the view that 5th placed BINGWA had at least equaled the mark of 118 he ran to when finishing fifth behind the same winner in the Grade 1 H F Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein in early April and used that as the benchmark when assessing the Drill Hall Stakes. BINGWA himself was given a small drop here and is down from 123 to 122.
To all Trainers and relevant stakeholders
A positive case of African Horse Sickness (AHS) has been confirmed, after Laboratory analysis, in the Vaal Training Centre. Trainers are advised to exercise strict midge vector control during this period.
PUERTO MANZANO remains unchanged on a merit rating of 123 after his success in the Grade 1 WSB Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on the standside course at Turffontein on Saturday 29 April. The Handicappers took a conservative view of this race due to the substandard time that this race produced and used the consistent 5th placed NEBRAAS as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 117. In assessing the race this way PUERTO MANZANO only runs to a rating of 121 which is two pounds below his official rating of 123.
The National Horseracing Authority (NHA), as part of its ongoing commitment to maintain and improve the integrity of the sport of horseracing, had entered into a contract with Tip-Offs Anonymous, a division of Deloitte, to provide a unique service to prevent dishonesty, malpractice and/or inappropriate and unethical behaviour within the Racing Industry on a totally confidential and anonymous basis.
