Handicapping ratings update

Track And Ball Oaks (Grade 2)

PINK TOURMALINE remains unchanged on a rating of 108 following her victory in the Grade 2 Track And Ball Oaks for fillies and mares over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday 18 June. The Handicappers noted that 5th placed SCENTED MISTRESS and 7th finisher KEEP ON DANCING replicated the form they had shown when they met in a Listed event won by SHE’S A KEEPER at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 14 May and elected to use these two as joint line horses here. As such, SCENTED MISTRESS and KEEP ON DANCING remain unchanged on mark of 94 each.

In assessing the race this way, PINK TOURMALINE only runs to a mark of 98, hence her unaltered rating, while runner-up LIGHT OF THE MOON only runs to a mark of 97 and accordingly remains unchanged on a rating of 110.

There were ratings increases for 3rd placed SILVER MARIA, who is up from 88 to 96, and for GREENGROWTHELILACS, who was given a partial raise from 75 to 81. GREENGROWTHELILACS actually runs to a rating of 93, but the Handicappers were unwilling to take this literally when looking at the filly’s overall career record.

The only ratings drop was for OPERA GLASS, who is down from 106 to 101.


Track And Ball Derby (Grade 3)

DECORATED has had his rating raised from 88 to 100 following his win in the Grade 3 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. The Handicappers were of the view that runner-up SALVATOR MUNDI made for the correct line horse when assessing this event, which leaves him unchanged on a mark of 100. The Handicappers could see no reason for DECORATED not to be rated at least equal to SALVATOR MUNDI, given that they met at level weights and that there was no more than a head between them at the line.

DECORATED had performed higher than his official rating of 88 which was pointed out on the press release issued after the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, which read “DECORATED has had his rating increased from 84 to 88. He in fact runs to a rating of 94, but the Handicappers were very reluctant to take this literally even though he also ran above his rating when running to a mark of 92 in the non-Black Type Highland Night Cup at the same venue in April’’.

The winner aside, the only increase was for 3rd placed SPRING FLING. Who goes up from 93 to 96 to at least make him the equal of 96-rated 4th finisher CHEWBACA who confirmed the adjustment he received for finishing 4th in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup on the 28 May.

No horse from this race was given a rating’s drop. - NHA