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
