Grand Empire and Trust, the one-two in the Gr 1 SA Classic, are now officially rated 111 and 110, down from 120 and 119 respectively (JC Photos)
A Merit Rating Appeal Panel has decided Trust was not an appropriate line horse for the SA Classic and have made One Eye On Vegas the line horse, among other findings.
Arising from their decision is that the one-two in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m, Grand Empire and Trust, are now the two lowest rated runners in the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge to be run over 2000m at Turffontein Standside.
However, the bookmakers have maintained the three-year-old pair’s status as 9/2 joint second favourites in the betting market for the weight for age race, despite them now being officially 9,5kg and 10kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner See It Again.
The details of the merit rating appeal are shown below.
An addendum to the appeal panel press release is shown at the bottom of the article with the relevant horses’ new official merit ratings.
Press Release: Merit Rating Appeal
An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the Constitution and consisting of Messrs K Miedema, G Hawkins and A Maharaj was convened on 26 March 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainers Mr M de Kock, Ms C Dawson and Mr S Tarry against the merit ratings (MRs) of SPLITTHEEIGHTS, ONE EYE ON VEGAS, TRUST and GRAND EMPIRE, respectively, following their performances in RACE 7, HKJC WORLD POOL SA CLASSIC on 7 March 2026, at Turffontein Racecourse.
The Panel found that the Official Handicapper’s use of TRUST as a line-horse at MR 119 was inappropriate, as his MR had previously been reduced to 107 following an earlier appeal. The Panel was of the view that TRUST was not a suitable line-horse in the Classic and instead selected ONE EYE ON VEGAS as the most appropriate line-horse, retaining his merit rating of 106 for purposes of its analysis.
Using ONE EYE ON VEGAS at an MR of 106 as the line-horse, the Panel recalculated the relative performance levels of the runners in the race. On this basis, the Panel determined that the appropriate merit ratings arising from the race are as follows:
- GRAND EMPIRE: 111
- TRUST: 110
- SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 107
- RADIO STAR: 102
In the case of JAN VAN GOYEN, while the recalibration produces a figure of 102, the Panel is satisfied that this does not warrant an adjustment to his official merit rating, as he performed below his established level in this instance.
In accordance with the Rules, the Official Handicapper is to give effect to the Panel’s findings and make the necessary adjustments to the official merit ratings of the relevant horses.
The Appeal was accordingly upheld, and the deposit fees are to be refunded to the Trainers.
Michael Shackleton
Legal Executive
Addendum To Press Release: Merit Rating Appeal (26 March 2026)
Following the outcome of the Merit Rating Appeal, the National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa confirms that the following adjustments have been made to the official merit ratings:
- GRAND EMPIRE: 120 to 111
- TRUST: 119 to 110
- SPLITTHEEIGHTS: 116 to 109
- ONE EYE ON VEGAS: 115 to 106
- RADIO STAR: 95 to 102
Michael Shackleton
Legal Executive
