• World Sports Betting Gold Cup (Grade 3)

PATHS OF VICTORY has had his rating raised from 101 to 105 after he made almost every inch of the running to win the Grade 3 World Sports Betting Gold Cup over 3200m at Greyville on Saturday 29 August.  The Handicappers felt that 5^th placed SUNSHINE SILK – who has plenty of form in races of this nature – made for the best line horse and as such her rating remains unchanged on 103.

2^nd placed PAYBACKTHEMONEY goes up from 92 to 99, while 3^rd finisher FLICHITY BY FARR was picked up from 100 to 103.  The only other increase was for BEFORE NOON, who is up from 84 to 88, however, numerous horses were given a ratings’ drop.  EYES WIDE OPEN goes from 114 to 113, MAGNIFICENT SEVEN drops from 112 to 110, DHARMA was trimmed from 100 to 99, WEALTHY drops from 98 to 96, DARK MOON RISING is down to 103 from 105, FACTOR FIFTY is down from 108 to 107, and lastly SHENANIGANS goes from 98 to 96.

• Sophomore Sprint (Listed)

• SPEED MACHINE has had his merit rating raised from 88 to 100 after his fluent success in the Listed Sophomore Sprint for three-year-olds over 1200m at Kenilworth on Wednesday 26 August.  The Handicappers were of the view that 3^rd placed PURPLE CLOUD made for the most suitable line horse and as such his rating remains unchanged on 95.

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• Jockey Club Stakes (Listed)

STATUTE remains unchanged on a mark of 106 after her victory in the Listed Jockey Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m at Fairview on Friday 21 August.  The race, originally scheduled for the turf course, was switched to the Polytrack following heavy rain earlier in the week.

Following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday evening (15 August 2020) that the Covid-19 restrictions in South Africa being relaxed to Lockdown level 2 regulations effective 18 August 2020, which in essence indicates a moderate Covid-19 spread with a high health system readiness. Our racing districts are no longer classified as “hot spots”.   The NHA is pleased to announce further amendments to its current protocols.

As per our Press Release on 23 July 2020 regarding Riders being permitted a second move in August, a decision will be made by no later than 17 August 2020.

• Vodacom Durban July (Grade 1)

BELGARION has had his rating raised from 119 to 124 after he produced a storming run from near the tail of the field to land the 2020 edition of the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July over 2200m at Greyville on Saturday 25 July.  In the process, he was recording his fifth win from as many starts since he was gelded in April 2019.