Picture: Sail The Seas (purple cap) gets the better of Eight On Eighteen (on the rail) and Cosmic Speed. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Handicapping Ratings Update (NHA Press Release)
WORLD SPORTS BETTING GUINEAS (Grade 2)
SAIL THE SEAS’ official rating has been increased from 112 to 127 following his performance in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers used the third-place finisher COSMIC SPEED, who dictated his own pace, as the benchmark for assessing the race, leaving him unchanged at a rating of 125.
ON MY HONOUR, who finished fourth, had his rating increased to 116 from 108, despite achieving a higher performance figure. The Handicappers carefully considered the slow pace of the race, which may have artificially enhanced his performance figure. Despite this, his rating could not be lower than the 115-rated CAT PAJAMAS, whom he defeated at level weights. As a result, his rating was adjusted upward to 116.
Similarly, ISIVIVANE was adjusted from 91 to 98, despite achieving a considerably higher performance figure, following his proximity of 2.3 lengths (equivalent to five rating points) behind the 115-rated CAT PAJAMAS at level weights.
No merit rating decreases were applied in this event.
INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY DRILL HALL STAKES (Grade 2)
GLADATORIAN retained his official merit rating of 123 following his victory in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers considered GLADATORIAN to be the most appropriate line horse for rating the race, justifying leaving his rating unchanged.
Two horses received rating increases:
- Great Plains (third) – 112 to 122, after finishing 0.3 lengths (equivalent to one rating point) behind the 123-rated line horse at Weight-For-Age terms;
- THE REAL PRINCE (fourth) – 118 to 120, for finishing 1.35 lengths (equivalent to three points) behind the line horse at level weights.
The only rating decrease was for BARBARESCO, whose merit rating was slightly reduced from 124 to 123.
WORLD SPORTS BETTING FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)
MON PETIT CHERIE’s official rating has been increased from 108 to 113 following her victory in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers identified OXALIS GOLD, rated 107, as the most appropriate line horse for assessing the race, keeping her rating unchanged.
The Handicappers ruled out using SPUMANTE DOLCE as the line horse here, as using her pre-race rating of 119 would inflate the performance figures of the other runner in this race, considering that 3.25 lengths separated the top 10 finishers. The Handicappers felt it prudent to adopt a cautious approach given these circumstances.
Four other horses received merit rating increases:
- BE MERRY (third place) – 104 to 110
- GIVE ME EVERYTHING (fourth place) – 103 to 108
- REGENERATION (fifth place) – 100 to 108
- GIMMEFABULOUS – 102 to 104, ensuring she is rated at least on par with GREEN SAPPHIRE, whom she defeated at level weights.
Three horses received merit rating decreases:
- SPUMANTE DOLCE (runner-up) – 119 to 117, due to failing to confirm her 119 rating over her last three outings.
- VJ’S ANGEL – 119 to 116, due to failing to confirm her 119 rating over her last three outings.
- LITTLE SUZIE – 107 to 106
THE INDEPENDENT ON SATURDAY INSIDER EAST COAST CUP (Listed)
MASCHERINA had her official merit rating raised from 93 to 99 following her victory in the Listed Independent On Saturday Insider East Coast Cup over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The Handicappers unanimously identified HAT’S QUEEN, the runner-up, as the most appropriate key horse for assessing the race, keeping her rating unchanged at 105.
Due to the specific conditions of this race, the ratings of placed runners could not be increased. Accordingly, third-place finisher ESCAPOLOGIST remained unchanged at a rating of 76, despite performing at a higher level.
The only horse to receive a rating’s decrease from this race was MISS PLATINA, whose merit rating was lowered slightly from 96 to 94.
LEGAL EAGLE STAKES (Grade 3)
Three-year-old GARRIX had his official merit rating raised from 109 to 112 following his victory in the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The Handicappers considered MUCHO DINERO, who finished third, to be the most appropriate line horse for assessing the race, leaving his rating unchanged at 115.
The runner-up, OTTO LUYKEN, also received an increase from 104 to 109.
Three horses received ratings decreases:
- MAGIC VERSE – 114 to 113
- BILLY BOWLEGS – 114 to 111
- WITHOUT QUESTION – 114 to 111
LADIES MILE (Listed)
TIME FOR LOVE retained her official merit rating of 105 following her victory in the Listed Ladies Mile over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The Handicappers used CALLMEGETRIX, the runner-up, as the line horse for assessing the race, leaving her rating unchanged at 99.
GIMMETHATPEARL was capped at 98 (up from 95) despite earning a higher performance figure, due to the specific race conditions, which limit increases for placed runners to a maximum of three points and restrict adjustments beyond the first three finishers. As a result, FUN ZONE, who finished fourth, could not be raised from her rating of 88, even though she ran to a higher level.
Four horses received merit rating decreases following this contest:
- GOLD POKER GAME – 104 to 103
- KNOCKOUT – 103 to 102
- MY FLOWER FATE – 89 to 86
- OMIKAMI – 95 to 94
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
