PRESS RELEASE

: PRESS RELEASE; 17 November 2022; Hits: 1269

JOCKEY ANTHONY ANDREWS

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that a formal application was made by Jockey Anthony Andrews that the finding and penalty handed down by the Horseracing Division of Mauritius at an Inquiry held on 24 August 2022 and subsequently upheld at an Appeal in Mauritius on 6 October 2022, not be reciprocated by The National Horseracing Authority in terms of Rule 91.1.3. This application was heard at the offices of the NHA in Johannesburg on 16 November 2022.

: PRESS RELEASE; 16 November 2022; Hits: 1205

HANDICAPPING RATINGS UPDATE

Western Cape Fillies Championship (Grade 2)

CIAO BELLA has had her merit rating raised from 96 to 110 following her success in the Grade 2 Western Cape Fillies Championship for three-year-olds over 1400m on Hollywoodbets Kenilworth (winter course) on Saturday 12 November. The Handicappers were of the view that HOLD MY HAND made for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 102.

: PRESS RELEASE; 09 November 2022; Hits: 1273

IMPROVEMENT OF NHA RULES CONSULTATION PROCESS

The National Horseracing Authority (“the NHA”) has deliberated over the past year as to the most appropriate inclusive and effective consultation process to follow when amending and/or adopting new rules as provided for in the NHA’s constitution.

Notwithstanding clauses 5.3, 5.4 and 16.2.1 of the NHA’s constitution, which grant sole authority to the National Board to deal with amendments and adoption of new rules, the National Board resolved at its meeting on 4 November 2022 to adopt what it sees as an improved process of consultation with its members and all stakeholders when exercising its aforesaid mandate. The Board decided to adopt a comprehensive notice and comment procedure, as opposed to consulting only with representatives of select groups.

The revised process in essence will see the NHA publish on its website, and elsewhere to the extent deemed appropriate, any proposed amendment and/or new rules, together with an explanation as to what purpose the NHA seeks to achieve by such changes and/or new rules. Any person or organisation that has any interest in the subject matter will be at liberty to make written submissions within the allotted timeframe that will also be published.

: PRESS RELEASE; 08 November 2022; Hits: 1153

Prologue

The NHA Handicapping Panel is cautioning all stakeholders, especially the Betting Public, to be extremely careful when using the Carded Merit Ratings in their assessments. Due to the vast number of ‘conditions’ type races, together with a host of conditions attached to the Graded races (mainly on the Highveld), many of the ratings that are published do not reflect the Handicapper’s final assessment of those horses affected by these conditions. This issue is especially affecting the current 3yo crop as they are unexposed and open to improvement. As per the previous press release, the best weighted column on form guides may not always be an accurate guide and extreme caution must be exercised. On that basis, the Handicappers shall not be responsible or participate in the selecting of final fields and eliminations in oversubscribed Pattern (Graded and Listed) races on the Highveld.

: PRESS RELEASE; 07 November 2022; Hits: 1169

Unauthorised Race Meeting

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that its Officials conducted a visit to an unauthorised race meeting near Idutywa in the Eastern Cape on Sunday, 30 October 2022.

It was established that 33 thoroughbred racehorses participated at this race meeting, several of which had recently left the care of licensed Trainers.

In terms of Rule 93.2.1, the horses have been suspended for a period of 180 days as they participated at an unauthorised race meeting.

: PRESS RELEASE; 01 November 2022; Hits: 1126

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

BINGWA has seen his merit rating increase from 118 to 123 after the defending champion ran out an easy winner of the Grade 2 Allied Steelrode – Onamission Charity Mile (handicap) over 1600m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 29 October. The Handicappers were of the unanimous opinion that runner-up PUERTO MANZANO made for the ideal line horse here, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 120.

The winner aside, there were no ratings increase for any other runner in this event, but five horses were given a rating’s drop.

PYROMANIAC is down from 110 to 108, ASTRIX was trimmed from 125 to 124, INDLAMU is down to 99 from 100, LITIGATION drops from 101 to 99, and lastly WILLOW EXPRESS drops from 102 to 101.

: PRESS RELEASE; 27 October 2022; Hits: 1070

Cape Classic (Grade 3)

CHARLES DICKENS has had his merit rating raised from 111 to 115 following his very impressive win in the Grade 3 Cape Classic for three-year-olds over 1400m on the winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 22 October. The Handicappers agreed that the more suitable line horse to use was runner-up AT MY COMMAND to the 107 he achieved when easily winning a handicap at his most recent start. As such, his rating goes up from 106 to 107.

There were rating increases also for third placed DAVE THE KING and fourth finisher PORT LOUIS, who both go up to 105 from 102 and 103, respectively. The only other increase was for COUNTDOWN, who is up from 96 to 100.

There were no ratings drops for any runners in this event.

: PRESS RELEASE; 18 October 2022; Hits: 1079

PinkDrive Michaelmas Handicap (Listed)

SEA MASTER has had his merit rating raised from 88 to 92 following his success in the Listed PinkDrive Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m on the grass track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 16 October. The Handicappers were of the view that runner-up FIGHT SONG made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 90.

: PRESS RELEASE; 04 October 2022; Hits: 1020

Topbet Mike O’ Connor Joburg Spring Challenge (Grade 2)

WILLIAM ROBERTSON remains unchanged on a rating of 125 following his success in the Grade 2 Topbet Mike O’ Connor Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside course on Saturday 1 October. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that 3^rd finisher BINGWA 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 WILLIAM ROBERTSON only runs to a mark of 124, hence his unaltered rating.

The specific conditions of the race do not permit any increase to the rating of any horse other than the winner. Accordingly, runner-up AFTER THE RAIN remains on 104 despite running to a mark of 123, and 4^th placed MERCANTOUR is unchanged on 105 although achieving a rating of 114.

The only drop was for PRINCE OF FIRE, who is down slightly from 114 to 113.

: PRESS RELEASE; 27 September 2022; Hits: 1223

The NHA is aware of the “unsubstantiated serious allegations” after the announcement on 8 September 2022 of Trainer Mr Paul Peter’s decision to relinquish his Trainer’s Licence. The discussions pertaining to his decision was recorded by the NHA in the presence of witnesses. This relinquishment was accepted by the Licensing Committee of NHA to cease, after the race meeting of 10 September 2022 at Turffontein Racecourse (Inside track), with effect from 11 September 2022.