Australian-bred Al Muthana has had his merit rating raised from 125 to 133 following his success on WFA terms in the Gr1 L’ Ormarins King’s Plate run over 1600m on the summer course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 7 January.
This was his second Grade 1 victory at WFA terms over the 1600m trip having won the 2022 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge some 6 months earlier when accounting for multiple Grade 1 winner JET DARK.
Al Muthana returns after his big win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Handicappers were of the view that 3rd placed JET DARK made for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 130. This view was reinforced by the fact that in assessing the race this way 4th placed KOMMETDIEDING also runs to his rating of 129, effectively making him a line horse as well.
There were also ratings increases for 2nd finisher CHARLES DICKENS, who is up from 128 to 132, and for 6th placed ZAPATILLAS, who goes up from 118 to 122. This makes him equal to 5th placed LINEBACKER, who finished a short head in front of ZAPATILLAS and who was dropped from 124 to 122. LINEBACKER, in finishing just behind JET DARK and KOMMETDIEDING, is effectively confirming past form with this pair, which also strengthens the choice of JET DARK and KOMMETDIEDING as joint line horses in this event.
Aside from LINEBACKER, the only other drop was for GOLDEN DUCAT, who is down from 125 to 120.
Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes
MAKE IT SNAPPY has seen her rating climb from 115 to 125 after winning the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes for fillies and mares over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was runner-up CAPTAIN’S RANSOM who was considered to make for the best line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 124.
There is no real reason to believe that CAPTAIN’S RANSOM didn’t run her race, given that she was beaten only by a hugely progressive three-year-old and that she finished comfortably ahead of everything else.
Aside from the winner, the only other increase was for 3rd placed SILVER DARLING, who goes up from 113 to 122. The solitary drop was for RAIN IN HOLLAND, who is down from 118 to 116.
Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes
PRINCESS CALLA remains unchanged on a rating of 121 after winning the Grade 2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed TIME FO ORCHIDS who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse, leaving her unaltered on a rating of 107.
Princess Calla storms home to make it 4 in a row (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
In assessing the race this way PRINCESS CALLA only runs to a rating of 115, hence her unchanged mark.
There were increases for 2nd placed STIPTELIK, who is up from 107 to 109, and for 5th finisher LIVE MY LIFE, who goes up from 86 to 101 to at least make her equal to the 101-rated 7th placed WHOA WHOA WHOA.
There were drops for two horses. GIMME DAT is down from 107 to 105, while KISSING POINT is down to 99 from 102.
Gr2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy
RASCALLION remains unchanged on a rating of 122 following his win in the Grade 2 Anthonij Rupert Wyne Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was runner-up NEXUS who was considered to make for the best line horse, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 114. In assessing the race this way, 6th placed SILVANO’S TIMER runs to his mark of 109, effectively making him a line horse as well. RASCALLION however only runs to a mark of 113, hence his unchanged rating.
The only ratings increase was for 3rd placed Warrior, who is up from 107 to 112.
Two horses were given a drop. POMP AND POWER is down from 116 to 114, while AIRWAYS LAW drops from 112 to 110.
Gr3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup
CROME YELLOW has had his rating raised from 106 to 109 after winning the Grade 3 Merchants On Long Chairman’s Cup over 2500m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Here it was 4th placed ARCTIC DRIFT and 5th finisher BARATHEON who were deemed to make for the best line horses, leaving them unchanged on ratings of 93 and 96, respectively. In assessing the race his way, runner-up SENSO UNICO runs to his mark of 106, which effectively makes him a line horse as well.
There were drops for five horses. SUPER SILVANO is down from 108 to 106, REX UNION drops from 104 to 101, ONE WAY TRAFFIC is down to 110 from 111, BLACK THORN goes to 102 from 103, and lastly CHOLLIMA drops from 98 to 95.
- Media release by National Horseracing Authority on Tuesday 10 January 2023
