The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an Appeal against the finding and the penalty imposed by an Inquiry Board upon Jockey Xolane C Ndlovu was heard on 21 October 2020.

Michaelmas Handicap (Listed)

CROWN TOWERS has had his merit rating raised from 109 to 115 after he ran out a fluent winner of the Listed Michaelmas Handicap over 1900m on the Greyville turf course on Sunday 18 October.  The Handicappers were of the view that 3^rd placed AMERICAN INDIAN made for the best line horse and as such his rating remains unchanged on 104.

The NHA confirms that due to Adv S M Lebala SC sadly passing away on 15 August 2020, a vacancy for an independent person in terms of clause 15.1.2 of the NHA’s Constitution became available on the National Board. In terms of Chapter 4 of the Constitution of The National Horseracing Authority the Nominations Committee, consisting of past chairmen Adv Altus Joubert SC, Mr Andrew O’Connor, Mr Larry Nestadt and Mr Jonathan Witts-Hewinson has appointed Adv Christiaan Frederik van der Merwe SC to the National Board of Directors of the NHA to fill the vacancy.

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that Mr Laurence Wernars tendered his resignation as a National Board Director with immediate effect.

•  Joburg Spring Challenge (Grade 2)

Unbeaten three-year-old MOUNT PLEASANT has had his merit rating raised from 112 to 127 after his defeat of some high class older rivals in the Grade 2 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m on the Turffontein inside track on Saturday 3 October.  The Handicappers felt that 5^th placed ZOUAVES was highly unlikely to have run below his rating in a race of this calibre and accordingly used him as the line horse.  As such, his rating remains unchanged on 116.

Settlers Trophy (Handicap) (Listed) 

BLACK KNAP has had his merit rating raised from 94 to 98 after he won the Listed Settlers Trophy (handicap) over 2000m at Durbanville on Saturday 26 September.  The Handicappers took into account that BLACK KNAP carried half-a-kilo overweight when arriving at this assessment, which was reached using 4^th placed HERODOTUS as the line horse.  As such, HERODOTUS remains unchanged on 102. 

Runner-up BAYBERRY goes up from 99 to 101, while 3^rd finisher SILVER DE LANGE (who was half-a-kilo under sufferance at the weights) was raised from 89 to 90.  There were no other increases, however, two horses received a ratings’ drop.  CROME YELLOW is down from 106 to 104, and DUCHESS OF BOURBON was cut from 95 to 92.