The Equator wins comfortably over 1800m at Turffontein Standside (JC Photos)
The Tony Peter-trained import The Equator could well be an interesting candidate for this season’s Betway Summer Cup as he looks capable of rising above his current 116, but how did the handicappers arrive at his initial South African merit rating of 110?
The NHA’s Chief Handicapper Lennon Maharaj explained, “We classify imported horses into two categories when assigning them a domestic South African rating:
Category A: Horses that have not run in Pattern, Graded, or Listed races and therefore do not have an international rating.
Category B: Horses that have competed in Pattern or Graded/Listed races and are rated by the international rating panel.”
He continued, “As a member of this panel, I participate in reaching consensus on the ratings of horses with Pattern form, whether they are trained in South Africa or abroad.
For UK-based Category A imports without Pattern credentials, we typically adjust their official UK ratings by adding 12 to 15 points.
This is done in consultation with the UK Handicapper and considers the time since the horse last raced and any relevant subsequent form.
For instance, the British filly Deal Maker was recently given a domestic rating of 70, based on her UK official rating of 57.
The Equator was assigned a rating of 110 due to his international Pattern performances, which align with the levels achieved by Future Swing (rated 110 after winning the Greyville 1900m), Mucho Dinero(when he was rated 110 domestically), and Cape Eagle—all of whom showed equivalent international form meriting the same domestic rating.”
The Equator was reported to have been doing top class work before his debut in South Africa in the Gr 3 Magical Kingdom 2200 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Hollywoodbets Durban July day and he was duly backed in to 4/1 favourite. However, he was all at sea in the race and finished last.”
He made amends next time out at his home course of Turffontein Standside when winning a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m carrying topweight of 60kg by two lengths.
The Equator, a Galileo entire formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, won second time out in Ireland, over one mile two furlongs at Leopardstown, by 3,25 lengths in heavy ground.
In a total of six starts before being imported, that was his only win, but he did have two seconds and ran a decent 6,50 length fifth in the Gr 2 Queen’s Vase over a mile, six furlongs and 34 yards at the Royal Ascot meeting, a race won by the subsequent narrow St. Leger runner up Illinois.
He looks to need plenty of ground, but his win over 1800m last time out proved he could be a Summer Cup and possibly a Hollywoodbets Durban July candidate.
