Royal Aussie And Mucho Dinero Cop Big MR Hikes
Mucho Dinero was supplemented for the WSB Met after his impressive Gr 2 Antonij Wine Premier Trophy victory and he could well become another Hollywoodbets Durban July runner for the Justin Snaith/Nick Jonsson combination (Image: Wayne Marks)
The NHA have released their Handicapping Ratings Updates and not surprisingly the pair who have copped the biggest merit rating icreases are L’Ormarins King’s Plate third-placed Royal Aussie and Gr 2 Antonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy winner Mucho Dinero.
Royal Aussie has already more than paid his way as the winner of last season’s lucrative Gold Rush race, but he will now need to prove himself up to his 124 rating (up from 118). If he does do so it will provide a big boost to his sire Royal Mo.
Mucho Dinero has always struck as one with plenty of ability. His new rating of 110 (up from 99) is still attractive if races like the Hollywoodbets Durban July are on his agenda.
Handicapping Ratings Update
L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Grade 1)
CHARLES DICKENS confirmed his 132 rating when winning the WFA Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse on Saturday, 6 January 2024. It was CHARLES DICKENS himself who was used as the line horse to rate this race, he remains on a rating of 132. ROYAL AUSSIE was adjusted to 124 after producing an eye-catching finish to finish in 3rd place. ROYAL AUSSIE was beaten 4 lengths, which is 8 points behind the 132 rated winner at level weight which means he runs to a mark of 124.
Only two other horses received increases to their ratings in this event. MONTIEN, who was rated to run last here, was increased from 105 to 119 after performing considerably higher than anything he has managed before by finishing 5th in a race of this quality. COSMIC HIGHWAY only received a partial increase from 111 to 117 to make him equal to 117 rated ANFIELDS ROCKET who he beat here at level weights and 1 point below the 118 rated DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE who beat COSMIC HIGHWAY by 0.10 of a length, COSMIC HIGHWAY would be rated much higher if this performance was taken literally.
The only horse to receive a rating drop in this race was AL MUTHANA, who was dropped from 128 to 126.
Cartier Paddock Stakes (Grade 1)
BEACH BOMB remained on a rating of 117 after producing a strong finish to get up and win the WFA Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that BEACH BOMB was the best candidate for a line horse and used her rating of 117 to rate this event. PRINCESS CALLA, who was rated to easily beat this field was not considered as a feasible line horse here, especially as the top 4 finishers were only covered by under a 3 lengths margin and the 99 rated LOVE IS A ROSE was only beaten by a margin of 5.10 lengths.
In rating the race this way, HAPPY CHANCE performs to a figure of 116 and was adjusted accordingly. RED PALACE was the only other horse to receive an increase, she was adjusted to 111 from 108.
There were no drops in this race.
Anthonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy (Grade 2)
MUCHO DINERO saw his rating increased from 99 to 110 after landing the Grade 2 Anthonij Rupert Wine Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenliworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that PACAYA made for the most suitable line horse in this event and as such he remained on a mark of 111.
In rating the race this way SUGAR MOUNTAIN achieves a figure of 109 and was adjusted from 106 to 109. The only other horse to receive an adjustment was GENTLEMAN JOE who goes up to 86 from 82. GENTLEMAN JOE was rated to run last and to finish a full 17 points behind the second lowest rated horse in this event but was only beaten 5.80 lengths and achieved a rating considerably higher than his current adjusted figure of 86.
The following horses received drops to their ratings, WITHOUT QUESTION was dropped from 120 to 117, RUNAWAY SONG was dropped from 114 to 110, ROCKPOOL was dropped to 106 from 108, GEM KING was dropped to 100 from 103 and WATERBERRY LANE was dropped from 115 to 113.
Cartier Sceptre Stakes (Grade 2)
OCTOBER MORN was raised to 112 from 107 after finishing strongly to win the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the unanimous view that SHANTASTIC made for a suitable line horse here and her rating remains on a mark of 108.
The runner-up, ASIYE PHAMBILI, saw her rating increased to 111 from 105 following her effort when also producing a strong finish to be beaten by 0.3 of a length. KWINTA’S LIGHT received a small increase of 1 point increase from 109 to 110 after again beating the line horse SHANTASTIC. The only other increase was for MISS MARGUERITE who went up to 99 from 96 as she was rated to run last here but performed to a considerably higher level than her current adjusted figure of 99.
Only two horses received drops to their merit ratings here, GIMME A SHOT was dropped from 111 to 108, while GOLDEN TATJANA was dropped to 95 from 97.
Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup (Grade 3)
FUTURE SWING was increased to a rating of 103 from 99 after winning the Grade 3 Glorious Goodwood Chairman’s Cup over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the opinion that NEBRAAS made for the most suitable line horse here and his rating remains unchanged on 112. TRIPLE TIME received an increase of 2 points from 106 to 108 and was the only other horse to receive an increase in this event.
Four horses received drops to their ratings. THEFUTUREISBRIGHT and SENSO UNICO received a point each from 99 to 98 and 113 to 112 respectively, while DECORATED and OTTO LUYKEN received a drop of 2 points each from 102 to 100 and 99 to 97, respectively.
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
HWB Greyville Poly Surface Too Slow Or Jockeys To Blame?
Underrated jockey Wesley Marwing produced a good ride on Electra Green today for his Uncle Weiho Marwing and they made it a quick double in the second race, but was Electra Green allowed to dictate at too slow a pace by the other jockeys? (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Turf Talk
It used to be the “Cape Crawl” but recently there have been grumbles about races being run too slowly at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
However, as far as the polytrack goes it is not clear whether this is due to the surface being slower at present or the riders just going too slowly.
Nevertheless, the start to finish winner over 1200m in November, Teerex, is a good horse to compare to today’s 1200m start to finish winner Electra Green.
Teerex took eleven starts to win his maiden so is no great shakes although he was admittedly rated 80 when winning his maiden compared to the 68 rating of the filly Electra Green.
Below are the sectionals of the pair in their start to finish maiden wins, both over 1200m on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on November 8 2023 and January 10 2024 respectively.
To add some further perspective the times of 80 rated three-time winner William Rufus, who won over the course and distance on January 3 this year, are also included.
Teerex first 100m 08/11/2023 8.71 seconds – Electra Green 10/01/2024 8.96 seconds – William Rufus 03/01/2024 8.89 seconds
Teerex second 100m 4.74 seconds – Electra Green 05.03 – William Rufus 5.06 seconds
Teerex third 100m 5.14 seconds – Electra Green 5.66 seconds – William Rufus 5.64 seconds
Teerex fourth 100m 5.20 seconds – Electra Green 5.71 seconds – William Rufus 5.45 seconds
Teerex fifth 100m 5.49 seconds – Electra Green 5.93 seconds – William Rufus 5.64 seconds
Teerex sixth 100m 5.64 seconds – Electra Green 6.02 seconds – William Rufus 5.75 seconds
Teerex seventh 100m 5.62 seconds – Electra Green 5.94 seconds – William Rufus 5.59 seconds
Teerex eighth 100m 5.55 seconds – Electra Green 5.72 seconds – William Rufus 5.44 seconds
Teerex ninth 100m 5.58 seconds – Electra Green 5.54 seconds – William Rufus 5.42 seconds
Teerex tenth 100m 5.70 seconds – Electra Green 5.79 seconds – William Rufus 5.52 seconds
Teerex eleventh 100m 5.94 seconds – Electra Green 5.97 seconds – William Rufus 5.68 seconds
Teerex twelfth 100m 6.21 seconds – Electra Green 6.21 seconds – William Rufus 6.01 seconds
Overall time: Teerex 69.56 seconds – Electra Green 72.53 seconds. – William Rufus 70.16 seconds
Teerex is obviously a better horse than Electra Green, but a difference of three seconds over that trip must represent a distance of about 17 to 18 lengths.
Electra Green finished just 5,70 lengths behind the well regarded Minogue over 1400m in her previous start, so is not that bad.
The William Rufus time shows that the surface is indeed likely slower at present.
However, in the first race today the riders perhaps allowed Electra Green to dictate at too slow a pace.
Later today the now six-time winner Star Choice (merit rated 68) recorded a time of 71.55 seconds coming from last.
In conclusion, the surface does seem to be a touch slower at present than it was a couple of months ago.
However, front-runners going as slow as Electra Green went today should surely be taken on.
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7yo Mare Star Choice Repays Frank Robinson's Kindness
Wylie Hall mare Star Choice became a six-time winner today having run unplaced in her first ten starts (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Turf Talk
Frank Robinson’s kindness has been repaid by the seven-year-old Wylie Hall mare Star Choice, who became a six-time winner today.
The Summerveld trainer tells the story of this mare’s inseparable friendship with the yard’s Gr 2 winner Love Bomb, a friendship which ultimately saved the racing career of Star Choice.
The pair were initially on a stud farm together and were later together at Jill Fox’s pre-training farm at Nottingham Road.
When Frank brought them in he naturally put them in neighbouring boxes.
Star Choice is a year older than Love Bomb, but they made their respective debuts a month apart in early 2020.
They walk to the track together, work together and are just inseparable friends.
However, Love Bomb quickly made an impact on the track, winning the Gr 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper in her third career start, whereas Star Choice ran unplaced in her first ten starts.
During Covid-19 the original owner decided to throw in the towel with Star Choice.
Frank thought about taking over the ownership, but eventually decided against it and looked for a nice home for Star Choice.
A young girl who lived close to Summerveld was keen to take Star Choice home and do some showjumping with her and agreed to come and fetch her.
The float arrived to pick the horse up and reversed into the Robinson yard.
However, as Star Choice approached it she planted her legs together and refused to move.
She then became extremely agitated and began “screaming”.
Love Bomb responded by making the same bellowing noise.
It seemed the two friends knew something was up and they would never see each other again.
Frank’s heart melted and he told the new pending owner he would find another horse for her.
He took Star Choice back to her box. She and Love Bomb whinnied their approval of his decision.
Frank entered Star Choice soon thereafter. She was his only runner at a Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting and as she was a no-hoper he avoided a long journey by asking Stuart Ferrie to saddle her for him.
It was her first run with Frank as owner.
However, it was as if she knew she had better improve her performance or risk being shipped out again and lo and behold she won at odds of 70/1!
That was about three years ago and today she ran on strongly from last over the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly to record her sixth career victory.
She has earned R432,750 in total, so has repaid the kindness to her trainer and owner Frank Robinson.
The amazing thing is when getting on a float to go to the races both Star Choice and Love Bomb are as calm as cucumbers.
The sixth sense of animals is always amazing to behold and they knew there was something different about the request for Star Choice to get on to that float that one day back in late 2020.
Star Choice won off a 69 merit rating today and could possibly add another win or two to her CV.
Alan King Laments UK Sunday Night Racing Innovation
Weiho Marwing/Wesley Marwing Double, Calvin Habib, Maujean Doubles
Picture: The Louis Goosen-trained Vercingetorix filly War Empress (red and green colours) gave Chase Maujean a double on the day (Image: Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Turf Talk
Wesley Marwing rode the first two winners at the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting today, both for his Uncle Weiho.
Calvin Habib and Chase Maujean both rode doubles too.
Weiho Marwining is now on 9 wins for the season at 6.87%.
Wesley Marwing is on 5 wins at 4.35%.
Calvin Habib is on 68 wins at 12.08%
Chase Maujean is on 35 wins at 6.69%.
Today’s Question
The picture above is of the horse in question
Which horse foaled in the late 19th century was the first Royal winner of the English Derby for 108 years and later sired the great filly Sceptre?
Midweek FIELDS
Fairview Poly, Tuesday
Today’s Question Answer
Persimmon owned and bred by the Prince Of Wales (later King Edward VII) won the 1899 Derby. King Edward was to win two more Derbys with Diamond Jubilee and Minoru but Persimmon was unquestionably the best of tihe trio.
