Two Questions

1. In plate races horses cannot be penalised for a win or can they? (referring Race 5 - Clairwood)
2. The bastard Merit rating question again. Milk and Honey runs second to Dancers Daughter and gets a 10 point hike from 93 to 103. Runs an ordinary race behind Spring Garland then runs in a progress plate and finishes second less than 2 behind Party line and gets a 10 point drop following this plate race. Is this correct procedure? Red Tribution, my line horse in the merit rating debate, is taking a deserved break but will come back off the same mark I have no doubt? Question is can MR rate drop after plate races?

One more question - are there no weight allowances for fillies in a handicap. Cleome vs Tuna Cowboy

I'm assuming your answer is for the second post...(the July conditions are obviously different as their is an allowance for sex) and what about the first 2 questions?

alcaponee to answer your first question only the winner of a plate race can be penalised up to 6 points..however if for any reason the placed horses ran above their ratings the trainer of the horse can ask the hcapper to put up the rating .. as for your 2nd question i can only assume that the hcapper thinks that milk and honeys run to dd was a flash in the pan and after 2 consecutive runs where she ran closer to a 93 and not a 103 he has adjusted her down..

ALCAPONEE i highly recommend that you go onto www.horseracingauthority.co.za then click on the left corner box which says racing and then click on top where it says publications then on the left hand side click on handicapping guidelines..i am sure this will help you with regards to merit ratings

Thanks Pirates this helps. Will have a look at the website.