WSB Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2)
SAFE PASSAGE has had his merit rating raised from 110 to 116 following his fluent success in the Grade 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas over 1600m on the Turffontein standside track on Tuesday 8 February.
The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 4th placed ARAGOSTA was the correct line horse to use when assessing the Guineas. It was noted that SAFE PASSAGE again proved superior to ARAGOSTA as he beat his stable companion by 2.5 lengths in the Grade 2 Dingaans and by 3.5 lengths or 7 merit rating points in the Grade 2 Guineas and was adjusted accordingly.
2nd placed PYROMANIAC was raised from 101 to 113, while 3rd finisher OUTOFTHEDARKNESS is up from 104 to 110. The only other increase was for 5th placed SUPER EXCITED, who was raised from 102 to 107 to make him the equal of RED SAXON, who finished only a head further behind in 6th place.
The only drop was for VAL D’ ORCIA, who is down from 100 to 98.
Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Grade 2)
RAIN IN HOLLAND has had her rating raised from 109 to 115 after she ran out a comfortable winner of the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Tuesday evening. Here the Handicappers took the view that 6th placed PERFECT WITNESS made for the most suitable line horse when assessing the race, which leaves her unchanged on a mark of 103.
Runner-up SPRINKLES was raised from 107 to 110, while 4th placed SUPREME QUEST is up from 102 to 108. The only other increase was for 5th placed CLAFOUTIS, who goes up from 103 to 105 to at least make her the equal of ETERNITY RING and BOLD ACT, who finished behind her in 7th and 8th place, respectively.
There were no ratings drops for any of the runners in this event.
Tommy Hotspur Stakes (Grade 3)
GALLIC PRINCESS has had her rating increased slightly from 114 to 115 following her fluent victory in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Stakes over the straight 1000m course at Turffontein on Tuesday. Here it was runner-up WINTER STORIES who was used as the line horse, leaving him unchanged on a rating of 114. In assessing the race this way, both 5th placed KWITE A TRIP and 6th finisher MASTER ARCHIE run to their marks of 101 and 114 respectively, effectively making them both line horses as well.
Three runners were given rating drops, BOLD RANSOM was trimmed from 113 to 112, RIVARINE is down to 113 from 115, and SINGFORAFA drops from 116 to 113.
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
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