The National Horseracing Authority have advised that Fanie Bronkhorst’s 3yo Pure Predator has had his rating increased from 116 to 119 following his win in the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes over 2000m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The Handicappers were of the view that 2nd placed Hotarubi had returned to his recent best of 116 and used him to that level to rate this race.
Pure Predator (Richard Fourie) becomes the first 3yo winner of the TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes in many a long year (Pic – JC Photos)
Accordingly, Hotarubi was restored to his best rating of 116. The Handicappers ruled out Puerto Manzano as a possible line horse as he gave the other runners too much ground at the top of the straight and his jockey did state that he had concerns about this horse’s action in the straight when questioned by the Stewards.
There were no other upward adjustments in this race however, Puerto Manzano did receive a 2-point drop after failing to confirm his 125 rating in his last 5 runs, Safe Passage was dropped to 112 from 115 and Second Base was dropped from 107 to 104.
Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa (Grade 2)
LUCKY LAD had his rating increased from 119 to 121 after winning the Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes (Grade 2) over 1160 at Turffontein on Saturday. The Handicappers were unanimous in electing to use the ultra-consistent SURJAY as the line horse here. SURJAY remains on a rating of 119. I AM GIANT was the only other to receive a rating’s increase, he was raised to 107 from 104.
The following horses received drops to their ratings, MOONSHININGTHROUGH was dropped to 96 from 98, TAIKONAUT was dropped to 109 from 113, QUANTUM THEORY was dropped to 112 from 114 and SWING UPON A STAR was dropped to 104 from 105.
TAB Igugu Stakes (Grade 2)
BEATING WINGS was adjusted to 114 from 112 after winning the TAB Igugu Stakes (Grade 2) over 2000m on Saturday at Turffontein. The Handicappers were unanimous in choosing PERFECT WITNESS as the line horse here and she remains on a rating of 105. In rating the race this way, GILDED BUTTERFLY runs to her rating of 108, effectively making her a line horse as well. The only other horse to receive an increase in ratings was BELLEVARDE who was adjusted to 110 from 96. This adjustment makes her correct on handicapping terms with GILDED BUTTERFLY who she beat by 2.25 lengths while in receipt of 1kg in weight.
Two horses received drops of 2 points each, EMIRATE GINA was dropped to 103 from 105 and IPSO FACTO was dropped to 92 from 94.
TAB Camellia Stakes (Grade 2)
MRS BROWNING was increased to a rating of 113 from 106 after impressively winning the TAB Camellia Stakes (Grade 2) over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday. The Handicappers felt that the consistent ONE FELL SWOOP made for the most suitable line horse here and her rating remained unchanged on 104. TIME FO ORCHIDS was the only other horse to receive a rating’s increase in this event and she was adjusted to 110 from 106.
Two horses received drops in ratings here, ALULA’S STAR was dropped to 105 from 107 and MRS GERIATRIX was dropped to 112 from 115.
TAB Gold Bowl (Listed)
CRIMSON KING remained unchanged on a rating of 106 after staying on well to win the TAB Gold Bowl (Listed) over 3200m on Saturday at Turffontein. In fact, it was CRIMSON KING himself who was deemed to make for the most suitable line horse in this staying event. In rating the race this way BREEZE OVER produced a performance of 97 and was accordingly adjusted to 97 from 93.
Due to the specific race conditions that prohibit the Handicappers from increasing the ratings of placed runners by more than 4 points, BATTLEGROUND had to be capped to a rating of 88 despite running to a higher mark. EXPLOSIVE BOND ran to a rating of 101 but could only be adjusted by 4 points from 96 to 100.
No other horses received ratings increases in this race. The only runner to receive a drop in ratings was NEBRAAS, who was dropped to 108 from 111.
Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3)
ASIYE PHAMBILI was adjusted to 111 from 108 after emphatically winning the Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes (Grade 3) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. MORGAN LE FAY was deemed to be the most suitable line horse here and she remained on a rating of 98. REEFWAY, who beat the 98 rated line horse by a short head at level weights was accordingly adjusted to 98 from a rating of 84, this ensures that they meet on correct handicap terms in the future.
No other horses received increases in ratings here and only 1 horse received a drop in ratings, RIPPLE EFFECT was dropped to 106 from 107.
In Full Flight Handicap (Listed)
KING OF THE GAULS had his rating increased to 101 from 97 after landing the In Full Flight Stakes (Listed) over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. The Handicappers were unanimous in selecting HITHEMHARDSUNSHINE as the line horse here and he remained unchanged on a rating of 104. In rating the race this way QUASIFORSURE runs to his rating of 115, effectively making him a line horse as well.
No other horses were given increases to their ratings.
The following horses received drops in ratings. BLACK EGRET was dropped to 93 from 94, DONQUERARI was dropped to 89 from 90, CLIFF HANGER was dropped to 106 from 108, CABINET SHUFFLE was dropped to 90 from 93, CHOCOLATE BOMB was dropped from 91 to 88, SOVEREIGN STATE was dropped from 106 to 104 and lastly AFRICAN SKYLINE was dropped to 99 from 101.
