Picture: Sweet Pepper pips Glittering Girl in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship (Candiese Lenferna).
There is not a great deal of form to go on among two-year-olds and it is thus difficult to rate an entire crop.
Nevertheless, the below ratings of the new season three-year-olds will probably contain a few surprises for most.
However, it should be borne in mind that the best horses in two-year-old races are usually rated against the average horse.
In the Grade 1 Allan Robertson won by Sweet Pepper, the field was spread out like the washing and it is clear she performed considerably better than the average horse.
Furthermore, River Queraress ran third in that race and had at that stage already achieved a rating of 111, which made Sweet Pepper a 115.
Sweet Pepper also beat the previous Grade 3 winner and subsequent Grade 2 winner Ameena by 4,30 lengths in the Allan Robertson.
Sweet Pepper finished lame when subsequently running unplaced behind Ameena in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper, whilst River Queraress ran her first below par race in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes, so those runs were best ignored.
Thunderstruck won the Grade 1 Gold Medallion impressively on the same day Sweet Pepper won the Allan Robertson, but has only been given a 114 rating.
However, the Gold Medallion runner up was a maiden and the average horses in the race were not as far back as they were in the Allan Robertson.
Most would have expected Cousin Casey to be the highest rated as he was ultra impressive in his last two wins in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes over 1600m.
However, if a horse who beats a field who finish on top of each other is given a high rating, the rest of the field will have their merit ratings dragged upward.
Therefore, the handicappers are perennially put in a difficult situation after the Hollywoodbets Greyville two-year-old Group races as the horses do tend to finish on top of each other at that course because of it’s relatively tight nature.
Therefore the handicappers tend to err on the side of caution for those races rather than have a plethora of horses who are too highly rated.
The crop will soon start sorting themselves out into an accurate pecking order.
It will be no surprise to see Cousin Casey rising to the top in time.
The top 100 rated new season three-year-olds:
| Horse | Regions | Age | Sex | Runs | Wins | Stakes | Runs-12 | Wins-12 | Stakes-12 | Turf |
| SWEET PEPPER | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 3 | 418750 | 4 | 3 | 418750 | 115 |
| GLITTERING GIRL | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 2 | 1 | 143750 | 2 | 1 | 143750 | 114 |
| THUNDERSTRUCK | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 3 | 2 | 367250 | 3 | 2 | 367250 | 114 |
| COUSIN CASEY | KZN | 3 | C | 6 | 4 | 737500 | 6 | 4 | 737500 | 113 |
| MAHARANEE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 5 | 4 | 418750 | 5 | 4 | 418750 | 112 |
| RIVER QUERARESS | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 8 | 3 | 326750 | 8 | 3 | 326750 | 111 |
| EKORIA | E.Cape, KZN | 3 | F | 5 | 3 | 248750 | 5 | 3 | 248750 | 109 |
| KARANGETANG | KZN, Highveld | 3 | G | 4 | 2 | 275625 | 4 | 2 | 275625 | 109 |
| ROYAL VICTORY | KZN | 3 | G | 4 | 1 | 262500 | 4 | 1 | 262500 | 109 |
| QUANTUM THEORY | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 4 | 2 | 223375 | 4 | 2 | 223375 | 108 |
| CHARLES DICKENS | W.Cape | 3 | C | 2 | 2 | 153125 | 2 | 2 | 153125 | 107 |
| HITHEMHARDSUNSHINE | W.Cape | 3 | G | 3 | 2 | 122500 | 3 | 2 | 122500 | 107 |
| AMEENA | KZN | 3 | F | 4 | 3 | 390625 | 4 | 3 | 390625 | 106 |
| PROPHET | KZN | 3 | G | 5 | 2 | 236875 | 5 | 2 | 236875 | 106 |
| SUN BLUSHED | KZN | 3 | C | 3 | 1 | 102500 | 3 | 1 | 102500 | 106 |
| SWING UPON A STAR | KZN | 3 | C | 5 | 2 | 219250 | 5 | 2 | 219250 | 106 |
| CAPTAIN CASEY | KZN | 3 | C | 4 | 1 | 82500 | 4 | 1 | 82500 | 105 |
| GLADATORIAN | KZN | 3 | G | 4 | 1 | 126000 | 4 | 1 | 126000 | 105 |
| LIGHT SPEED | W.Cape | 3 | C | 3 | 2 | 195500 | 3 | 2 | 195500 | 105 |
| MERCANTOUR | KZN, Highveld | 3 | G | 6 | 3 | 206875 | 6 | 3 | 206875 | 105 |
| NOW I GOT YOU | KZN | 3 | G | 4 | 0 | 225500 | 4 | 0 | 225500 | 105 |
| BRIGHT GREEN | KZN | 3 | C | 2 | 1 | 72500 | 2 | 1 | 72500 | 104 |
| CANADIAN SUMMER | KZN | 3 | F | 5 | 3 | 585750 | 5 | 3 | 585750 | 104 |
| GOBSMACKED | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 3 | 3 | 225000 | 3 | 3 | 225000 | 104 |
| GRINKOV | KZN | 3 | C | 7 | 2 | 170000 | 7 | 2 | 170000 | 104 |
| LAGUNA VERDE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 5 | 1 | 137500 | 5 | 1 | 137500 | 104 |
| MISS COOL | KZN | 3 | F | 9 | 3 | 416250 | 9 | 3 | 416250 | 104 |
| ROCK THE FOX | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 6 | 1 | 187750 | 6 | 1 | 187750 | 104 |
| SUPERIOR FORCE | KZN | 3 | G | 7 | 1 | 144500 | 7 | 1 | 144500 | 104 |
| TIME FO ORCHIDS | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 3 | 1 | 78750 | 3 | 1 | 78750 | 104 |
| WOODLAND RETREAT | KZN | 3 | F | 6 | 1 | 166000 | 6 | 1 | 166000 | 104 |
| ARGO ALLEY | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 5 | 2 | 174500 | 5 | 2 | 174500 | 103 |
| BLESS MY STARS | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 2 | 1 | 93750 | 2 | 1 | 93750 | 103 |
| CAPTAIN BOMBSHELL | KZN | 3 | G | 3 | 0 | 45000 | 3 | 0 | 45000 | 103 |
| FORMAGEAR | KZN | 3 | G | 3 | 1 | 67500 | 3 | 1 | 67500 | 103 |
| KHAYA’S HOPE | E.Cape | 3 | G | 6 | 1 | 136625 | 6 | 1 | 136625 | 103 |
| PORT LOUIS | E.Cape, W.Cape | 3 | G | 6 | 2 | 294750 | 6 | 2 | 294750 | 103 |
| CRUISE CONTROL | E.Cape | 3 | G | 5 | 3 | 135938 | 5 | 3 | 135938 | 102 |
| DAVE THE KING | W.Cape | 3 | C | 2 | 2 | 93750 | 2 | 2 | 93750 | 102 |
| GIMME A SHOT | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 2 | 1 | 83750 | 2 | 1 | 83750 | 102 |
| HOLD MY HAND | KZN | 3 | F | 3 | 1 | 107500 | 3 | 1 | 107500 | 102 |
| FEATHER BOA | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 3 | 1 | 195750 | 3 | 1 | 195750 | 101 |
| GALLA VANTING | Highveld | 3 | F | 2 | 2 | 193750 | 2 | 2 | 193750 | 101 |
| GOLDEN PROSPECT | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 3 | 1 | 62500 | 3 | 1 | 62500 | 101 |
| ORARARI GOLD | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 63250 | 4 | 1 | 63250 | 101 |
| RIDE ON | KZN | 3 | F | 5 | 1 | 88000 | 5 | 1 | 88000 | 101 |
| TWIN STRIKE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | G | 7 | 1 | 106250 | 7 | 1 | 106250 | 101 |
| WE’RE JAMMING | W.Cape | 3 | G | 6 | 2 | 487650 | 6 | 2 | 487650 | 101 |
| ANTIGUA NIGHT | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 70750 | 4 | 1 | 70750 | 100 |
| EAST COAST | Highveld | 3 | C | 4 | 1 | 102250 | 4 | 1 | 102250 | 100 |
| FOREST SPY | E.Cape, KZN | 3 | G | 7 | 2 | 180875 | 7 | 2 | 180875 | 100 |
| GOLDEN HOSTESS | KZN, W.Cape | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 67750 | 4 | 1 | 67750 | 100 |
| LORD WILLIAM | W.Cape | 3 | G | 4 | 1 | 93250 | 4 | 1 | 93250 | 100 |
| MISS DAISY | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 7 | 2 | 162000 | 7 | 2 | 162000 | 100 |
| OCEAN TIME | KZN | 3 | C | 5 | 1 | 122500 | 5 | 1 | 122500 | 100 |
| TIME FOR GLORY | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 5 | 1 | 133500 | 5 | 1 | 133500 | 100 |
| UNION SQUARE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 3 | 1 | 163750 | 3 | 1 | 163750 | 100 |
| WHO DO YOU LOVE | W.Cape | 3 | F | 3 | 3 | 206250 | 3 | 3 | 206250 | 100 |
| AT MY COMMAND | W.Cape | 3 | C | 4 | 2 | 117125 | 4 | 2 | 117125 | 98 |
| BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS | Highveld | 3 | F | 2 | 1 | 108750 | 2 | 1 | 108750 | 98 |
| I AM REGAL | Highveld, KZN | 3 | F | 3 | 1 | 89500 | 3 | 1 | 89500 | 98 |
| ONLY HEARTS | KZN | 3 | F | 7 | 1 | 126750 | 7 | 1 | 126750 | 98 |
| RIDGERUNNER | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 4 | 1 | 80000 | 4 | 1 | 80000 | 98 |
| THUNDERSTONE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 4 | 1 | 96250 | 4 | 1 | 96250 | 98 |
| WECANGOALLNIGHT | W.Cape | 3 | C | 5 | 1 | 116875 | 5 | 1 | 116875 | 98 |
| KILL SHOT | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 7 | 1 | 126750 | 7 | 1 | 126750 | 97 |
| NONE OTHER | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 5 | 2 | 156250 | 5 | 2 | 156250 | 97 |
| STRIKE A MATCH | Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 2 | 163750 | 4 | 2 | 163750 | 97 |
| ACORN | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 4 | 1 | 81750 | 4 | 1 | 81750 | 96 |
| BILLY BOWLEGS | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 3 | 1 | 43750 | 3 | 1 | 43750 | 96 |
| COUNTDOWN | KZN | 3 | C | 6 | 2 | 133750 | 6 | 2 | 133750 | 96 |
| ICONIC DESTINATION | W.Cape | 3 | C | 2 | 1 | 59750 | 2 | 1 | 59750 | 96 |
| IMPOSING | KZN | 3 | G | 3 | 0 | 20000 | 3 | 0 | 20000 | 96 |
| MAGIC TATTOO | KZN, Highveld | 3 | C | 8 | 2 | 173000 | 8 | 2 | 173000 | 96 |
| SHOEMAKER | Highveld | 3 | C | 2 | 2 | 137500 | 2 | 2 | 137500 | 96 |
| STREET OUTLAW | W.Cape | 3 | C | 2 | 1 | 66500 | 2 | 1 | 66500 | 96 |
| YELLOWPORSCHEROAD | W.Cape | 3 | C | 2 | 1 | 57750 | 2 | 1 | 57750 | 96 |
| CLIFF TOP | KZN, E.Cape | 3 | G | 5 | 2 | 233500 | 5 | 2 | 233500 | 95 |
| DOUBLE DESTINY | E.Cape | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 64625 | 4 | 1 | 64625 | 95 |
| MOVER AND SHAKER | KZN, Highveld | 3 | G | 5 | 1 | 205000 | 5 | 1 | 205000 | 95 |
| PIROSHKA | W.Cape, E.Cape | 3 | C | 5 | 1 | 70750 | 5 | 1 | 70750 | 95 |
| SAND BANK | E.Cape | 3 | C | 6 | 2 | 96250 | 6 | 2 | 96250 | 95 |
| SHOW TIME | Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 105000 | 4 | 1 | 105000 | 95 |
| TIPSY TARRAGON | W.Cape | 3 | F | 3 | 2 | 85125 | 3 | 2 | 85125 | 95 |
| TOTAL PROTECTION | Highveld | 3 | G | 3 | 1 | 61250 | 3 | 1 | 61250 | 95 |
| BONIKA | W.Cape | 3 | F | 8 | 3 | 233100 | 8 | 3 | 233100 | 94 |
| EYJAFJALLAJOKULL | Highveld | 3 | G | 3 | 1 | 50750 | 3 | 1 | 50750 | 94 |
| QUEEN OF GAUL | Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 95750 | 4 | 1 | 95750 | 94 |
| ROYAL AUSSIE | W.Cape | 3 | C | 3 | 1 | 71750 | 3 | 1 | 71750 | 94 |
| SHIFTING PATH | W.Cape | 3 | C | 6 | 1 | 73500 | 6 | 1 | 73500 | 94 |
| BUTTERFLY BEAUTY | KZN, W.Cape | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 86750 | 4 | 1 | 86750 | 93 |
| LE MANS | W.Cape | 3 | C | 4 | 2 | 100750 | 4 | 2 | 100750 | 93 |
| LITTLEMARYSUNSHINE | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 5 | 1 | 116750 | 5 | 1 | 116750 | 93 |
| MISS MARGUERITE | W.Cape | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 181250 | 4 | 1 | 181250 | 93 |
| SABATINI | KZN | 3 | F | 5 | 1 | 117500 | 5 | 1 | 117500 | 93 |
| SIMPLE SIMPLE | Highveld | 3 | F | 4 | 1 | 45750 | 4 | 1 | 45750 | 93 |
| TYPESET | Highveld | 3 | F | 1 | 1 | 43750 | 1 | 1 | 43750 | 93 |
| COOL WINTER | Highveld | 3 | G | 9 | 1 | 126125 | 9 | 1 | 126125 | 92 |
| FRANZ LEHAR | KZN | 3 | G | 1 | 1 | 62500 | 1 | 1 | 62500 | 92 |
| INTOXICATING | Highveld | 3 | F | 3 | 0 | 40000 | 3 | 0 | 40000 | 92 |
| JIMMY DON | Highveld | 3 | C | 2 | 1 | 50750 | 2 | 1 | 50750 | 92 |
| MARVEL WILLIAM | W.Cape | 3 | G | 5 | 1 | 93750 | 5 | 1 | 93750 | 92 |
| MIGHTY GODDESS | KZN, Highveld | 3 | F | 5 | 0 | 16500 | 5 | 0 | 16500 | 92 |
