Chasing Happiness’ merit rating was increased from 109 to 112 after her victory in the TAB Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes over 1160m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
The Handicappers selected Pistol Pete, who finished fourth, as the line horse, keeping his rating at 115.
Chasing Happiness (Smanga Khumalo) is now at a MR of 112 (Pic – JC Photos)
Truth, the third-place finisher, saw his rating rise from 115 to 116 for outperforming the 115-rated Pistol Pete at level weights. Mount Pilatus also received a slight increase, moving from 112 to 113.
Magic Tattoo was the only participant to receive a rating decrease, dropping from 104 to 102.
Well Weighted
Weights in this event were calculated using Merit Ratings, ensuring fair competition. Fillies and mares also benefited from a 2.5kg allowance, adding an advantage since their median ratings are typically 5 points lower than males.
This advantage contributed to the dominance of the only two female competitors—Chasing Happiness and Mrs Browning—who claimed first and second spots respectively, yielding an exacta payout of R303.40. Similarly, in the 4Racing Caradoc Gold Cup, fillies under comparable weight terms also secured the top two positions, delivering an exacta payout of R136.20.
TAB Gr2 Colorado King Stakes
Let’s Go Now’s merit rating remained unchanged at 113 following her victory in the Grade 2 TAB Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. The Handicappers used Navajo Nation, who finished fourth, as the benchmark, leaving his rating at 101.
Due to favourable weight conditions and a slow race pace, Let’s Go Now was excluded as a benchmark to avoid inflating the ratings of other competitors.
Runner-up Marauding Horde received a rating increase from 108 to 112, after finishing 5.4 lengths (11 points) ahead of the 101-rated Navajo Nation.
Infinite Wonder was the sole competitor to receive a decrease, marginally dropping from 103 to 102.
TAB Gr2 Igugu Stakes
Olivia’s Way retained her merit rating of 112 after winning the TAB Igugu Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m. She was deemed the most suitable line horse for assessing this race, keeping her rating unchanged.
Indian Ocean who finished second, had her rating increased from 107 to 111, for finishing only 0.6 lengths behind the 112-rated winner at Weight-For-Age.
Beating Wings’ rating dropped from 116 to 114 after failing to sustain this mark over her recent four starts.
TAB Gr2 Camellia Stakes
Mia Moo’s merit rating increased from 108 to 115 following her victory in the TAB Gr2 Camellia Stakes. Runner-up Gimme A Shot was identified as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged at 110.
Third-place finisher Minogue saw her rating rise from 102 to 107, while Chrome Tourmaline increased from 100 to 106.
Winter Greeting’s rating was dropped from to 106 from 109.
TAB Listed Gold Bowl
Taxhaven’s merit rating was capped at 83 following his triumph in the TAB Gold Bowl over 3200m. Fifth-place Twenty Drachma’s served as the line horse, keeping his rating at 93.
Under the specific race conditions, winners could receive a maximum increase of eight points, and placed runners were limited to four points. Therefore, Taxhaven’s increase was restricted to eight points despite exceeding this mark. Runner-up Nebraas was similarly limited, increasing from 99 to 103 despite a stronger performance.
Arumugam’s rating dropped from 94 to 91.
Dennis Drier Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes
Mai Sensation’s merit rating increased from 101 to 105 after winning the Dennis Drier Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes over 1200m.
The Handicappers selected Symphony In White, the third-place finisher, as the line horse, keeping her rating at 105. Runner-up Asiye Phambili performed to her rating of 116, effectively becoming a line horse as well.
Fourth-place Disting earned a rating increase from 92 to 98, enabling her inclusion in the World Sports Betting SA Fillies Guineas final fields. Merit Ratings also aid balloting (eliminations) and should not only be perceived as punitive.
Two competitors saw rating decreases: Summer Lily dropped to 99, and Sorceress Supreme was reduced from 101 to 99.
Listed In Full Flight Handicap
O’tenikwa’s merit rating rose from 107 to 110 after his victory in the Listed In Full Flight Handicap over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Fourth-place Outlaw King was identified as the line horse, keeping his rating at 110.
Runner-up Fastnet Filly’s merit rating increased from 88 to 94. She entered the race with a four-point disadvantage under benchmark conditions (52kg = 92) and beat the line horse by two points, justifying a six-point increase. Third-place Luhamba Phambili’s rating was adjusted from 104 to 105.
Three horses received rating decreases: Donquerari dropped from 101 to 99, Wecangoallnight from 105 to 104, and Roman Agent from 95 to 92.
- Media release by the NHA on Wednesday, 30 April 2025
