Two features at Turffontein last Saturday brought the curtain down on the Highveld feature programme for 2022.
The National Horseracing Authority handicappers report that Taikonaut has had his merit rating raised from 101 to 111 following his win in the Gr3 Lebelo Sprint (handicap) over 1000m on the standside track at Turffontein on Saturday 24 December.
Muzi Yeni salutes as he returns on Taikonaut (Pic – JC Photos)
The Handicappers were unanimously of the view that 3rd placed VASEEM made for the best line horse here, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 105.
The principal reason behind the winner’s ten-pound raise is that he was seven pounds or 3.5 kgs under sufferance at the weights. When this is added to the three pounds by which he beat the line horse, TAIKONAUT runs ten pounds above his rating, which was adjusted accordingly.
Aside from the winner, the only other raise was for runner-up SUPREME WARRIOR, who goes from 117 to 119.
Two horses received a rating’s drop. GODSWOOD is down to 107 from 109, while GALLIC CHIEF drops from 100 to 98.
JIMMY DON has seen his rating raised from 97 to 105 following his success in the Listed Secretariat Stakes (handicap) for three-year-olds over 1400m at Turffontein.
Here it was 4th placed STAR COIN who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 92. In rating the race this way, 5th placed RAFFLES and 6th finisher FOSTINOVO both run to their marks as well, effectively making them both line horses also and leaving them unaltered on ratings of 99 and 87, respectively.
There were ratings increases also for runner-up ARIVIDICIO, who goes from 93 to 97, and for 3rd finisher THE MAURITIAN, who is up from 84 to 86.
Two horses were given a drop, with ACORN going from 85 to 83 and SAMTHEWISEMAN dropping to 72 from 74.
- Media release by the National Horseracing Authority on Thursday 29 December 2022
