King Of Gems soars after Concorde success
King Of Gems has seen his rating raised from 98 to 109 by the National Horseracing Authority’s (NHA) Handicapping Team after he overcame the widest draw to win the Grade 2 Concorde Cup at Kenilworth.
They felt it was “highly improbable’ that third-placed Macthief would have run worse here than when he finished fifth in the Grade 3 Cape Classic four weeks earlier and used the 106 which he actually achieved on that occasion as the basis for rating the Concorde Cup. As such Macthief’s rating goes up to 106.
Runner-up Sachdev goes up from 94 to 108, while fourthplaced Viva Rio remains unchanged on 108. Seventh Gear was raised from 100 to 103, while in the only other change Cane Lime ‘N Soda goes up from 101 to 102.
Russet Air has had his rating increased from 108 to 112 after he won the Cape Merchants over 1200m, also at Kenilworth.
Third-placed Pleasedtomeetyou was used as the line horse here and accordingly his rating remains unchanged. However, runner-up Ready Steady Go was increased from 105 to 106.
Fourth-placed Cabo Da Cruz was 2kg under sufferance and accordingly his rating has been upped from 94 to 97. Numerous horses were given a ratings’ drop. Traces was dropped from 107 to 105, while New Caledonia (without a place from seven starts since finishing second in this race last year) was cut from 107 to 104. Bwana goes from 109 to 107, Catkin from105 to 103, Elusive Trader from 102 to 100, and Sergeant Hardy from 111 to 109.
In the Grade 3 The Citizen Fillies Mile, run at Turffontein, unbeaten Summer Cup had her rating increased from 90 to 110 after she coped with a sharp rise in class to record a third win from as many starts.
Fourth-placed Sidonie was used as the line horse and so her rating remains unchanged.
Runner-up Keep Smiling goes from 96 to 109, while third finisher Mary goes up to 109, from 90.
Tallinn goes from 94 to 99, Invisible to 95 from 93, and Smiley River from 84 to 91. League Of Her Own was dropped from 100 to 99 and Kayla’s Champ rom 110 to 108. – NHA