WSB Legal Eagle Stakes (Grade 3)

GEM KING has had his merit rating raised from 98 to 104 following his success in the Grade 3 WSB Legal Eagle Stakes for three-year-olds over 1800m on the winter course at Kenilworth on Saturday 21 May.  The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that ultra-consistent 3^rd finisher FUTURE PRINCE made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 97.

Runner-up WINCHESTER MANSION was raised from 85 to 99, while 4^th placed BARATHEON and 5^th finisher NAVY STRENGTH go up to 90 and 85 from 84 and 76, respectively.  In the case of the latter two, the Handicappers were of the view that both horses may have been somewhat flattered by their proximity to the principals at the finish and opted to raise them both by half of the achieved amount.  In rating the race the way it is, Baratheon and Navy Strength actually run to marks of 97 and 94 respectively.

The only drop was for PACAYA, who is down from 105 to 100.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal was heard at its offices in Johannesburg on 12 May 2022. 

Background 

Domestic Ratings Update 

World Sports Betting 1900 (Grade 2) 

DO IT AGAIN remains unchanged on a merit rating of 126 following his success in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900 over 1900m on the turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 14 May.  The Handicappers were unanimously of the view that runner-up MOUNT ANDERSON made for the best line horse, especially as in rating the race this way 3^rd placed GAINSFORD also runs to his mark and effectively becomes a line horse as well.  As such, MOUNT ANDERSON and GAINSFORD remain unchanged on marks of 104 and 99, respectively, and in rating the race this way DO IT AGAIN only runs to a mark of 124.  Hence there was no change to the winner’s rating. 

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that it has imposed an interim suspension on Trainer Juan Nel with immediate effect pending the determination of an inquiry into an alleged assault against an Official of The National Horseracing Authority on Friday, 6 May 2022 in the vicinity of Fairview Racecourse, Gqeberha.

World Sports Betting Guineas (Grade 2) 

ZAPATILLAS has had his merit rating raised from 111 to 118 following his success in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas over 1600m on the turf course at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 7 May.  The Handicappers were of the view that 6^th finisher WATERBERRY LANE made for the most suitable line horse when assessing the race, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 115. The winner’s new rating makes him equal to 3^rd placed POMP AND POWER, who remains on 118 although actually only running to a mark of 117. 

TAB Premier’s Challenge Stakes (Grade 1) 

ASTRIX has had his merit rating raised from 112 to 122 after his success on WFA terms in the Grade 1 TAB Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 30 April.  The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 4^th placed FLYING CARPET would not have run below his best in finishing where he did in a race of this nature and used him as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 116.  ASTRIX was beaten 2,6 Lengths (at level weights) by FLYING CARPET in the Summer Cup but finished 3 lengths (at level weights) ahead of FLYING CARPET in the Premier’s Challenge thus showing at least a 10 pounds improvement over FLYING CARPET from his Summer Cup effort.