AL MUTHANA has had his merit rating raised from 125 to 133 following his success on WFA terms in the Grade 1 L’ Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 7 January. This was his second Grade 1 victory at WFA terms over the 1600m trip having won the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge Grade 1 some 6 months earlier when accounting for multiple Grade 1 winner JET DARK.
ROYAL VICTORY remains unchanged on a rating of 111 after he easily beat four rivals to win the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes for three-year-olds over 1400m on the standside track at Turffontein on Monday 2 January 2023. In assessing the race, the Handicappers were of the view that 2nd placed ARIVIDICIO had not run worse than the 97 which he achieved when finishing second in a Listed handicap for three-year-olds over the same course-and-distance on Christmas Eve. His rating was raised to 97 following that event, but as the weights for the Tony Ruffel had already been issued, he was carded off his old mark of 93.
TAIKONAUT has had his merit rating raised from 101 to 111 following his win in the Grade 3 Lebelo Sprint (handicap) over 1000m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 24 December. The Handicappers were unanimously of the view that 3rd placed VASEEM made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 105.
CHARLES DICKENS has had his merit rating raised from 121 to 128 following his emphatic success in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 17 December. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up COUSIN CASEY made for the ideal line horse when assessing this event, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 115.
INTERIM SUSPENSION LIFTED
Further to our Press Release of 2 December 2022 and after conclusion of the investigation, The National Horseracing Authority confirms that the suspension imposed on horses owned by Mr Mano Pandaram is lifted with immediate effect.
GIMME A PRINCE has had his merit rating raised from 108 to114 following his fluent success in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants (handicap) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday 11 December 2022. The Handicappers were unanimously of the opinion that 3rd placed BEREAVE was the most suitable line horse to use when assessing this event, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 106.
MAKE IT SNAPPY has had her merit rating raised from 100 to 115 after her success in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 3 December. The Handicappers took the view that 2nd placed CIAO BELLA made for the ideal line horse after again beating all of those that finished behind her when she won a Grade 2 event three weeks earlier, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 110.
There were increases also for 3rd placed HOLD MY HAND and 4th finisher GOLDEN HOSTESS, who are both up to 108 from 102 and 106, respectively. HAPPY CHANCE goes up from 93 to 106.
There were no ratings drops for any runners in this event.
INTERIM SUSPENSION
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that in terms of rule 91.2, it has imposed an interim suspension on horses owned by Mr Mano Pandaram that were under the care of Trainer Lunga Gila until 30 November 2022. Consequently, these horses that are in his ownership are suspended with immediate effect pending the determination of an investigation that has been opened. The particulars of the investigation are into alleged irregularities pertaining to the training and veterinary treatment of these horses.
HANDICAPPING RATINGS UPDATE
PUERTO MANZANO has had his merit rating raised from 120 to 123 following victory in the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup over 2000m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 26 November. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3rd placed ARAGOSTA made for the ideal line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 116.
2nd placed SAFE PASSAGE goes up from 122 to 124, while 4th finisher DIVINE ODYSSEY - who was 1 pound or half-a-kilo under sufferance at the weights – goes up from 111 to 112. 5th finisher LITIGATION, who was six pounds or 3 kgs under sufferance, was raised from 107 to 110.
There were no other ratings increases, but no fewer than six horses were given a drop. ZILLZAAL is down from 114 to 112, SHANGO goes from 108 to 106, SECOND BASE is down to 112 from 115, RED SAXON drops from 116 to 114, ASTRIX is down from 124 to 122, and lastly PYROMANIAC drops from 108 to 105.
HANDICAPPING RATINGS UPDATE
COUSIN CASEY has had his merit rating raised from 113 to 115 after easily winning the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup for three-year-olds over 1600m on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer course on Saturday 19 November. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that consistent 4th finisher PORT LOUIS made for the ideal line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 105.
