Got the Greenlight - MR Appeal

PRESS RELEASE

Merit Rating Appeal

An independent Appeal Panel consisting of Messrs R Skelton, M Wanklin and R S Napier was convened on 12 May 2021 via Zoom to hear a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Mr Joe Soma on behalf of GOT THE GREENLIGHT’s adjusted merit rating of 128 from his rating of 124, following his win in the 4RACING PREMIER’S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1) over 2000M.

The Appeal Panel was of the opinion that GOT THE GREENLIGHT’S adjusted published Merit Rating was incorrect and consequently upheld the Appeal and refunded the deposit for the following reasons:

1) The Appeal Panel took into consideration the penetrometer reading of 25 and the track condition on the day, that was recorded as good to soft, as well as the pace that the race was run at.

2) The Panel was of the opinion that the race should be rated using the winner at his pre-race rating of 124. By using this rating, this would also bring into line, three of the first six horses past the finish line and that they would also then have run to their pre-race ratings – those being GOT THE GREENLIGHT (124), CIRILLO (120) and DIVINE ODYSSEY (110).

3) It is believed that DIVINE ODYSSEY (110) would not have run to a higher mark, having been beaten 7 lengths – bearing in mind the Handicappers did not increase his rating to 113 in the first place.

4) It was clearly evident that both SUMMER PUDDING and MALMOOS ran below their pre-race ratings.

5) SECOND BASE is therefore increased to 122, which puts his rating at 3lbs below MALMOOS (125), which had beaten him in his 3 previous starts leading up to this race and by no less than 2 lengths in two of those races.

So the trainer won his appeal regarding GtG's MR.

Recently the merit ratings of feature races have led to so much debate and head scratching.

The question must be asked, are the handicappers qualified, logical and consistent?

How does this effect his July weights? Penalty for winning a grade 1?

Was the rating reduced, and to what?

bayern wrote: Was the rating reduced, and to what?

I asked that as well, i take it as it remained 124?

bayern wrote: Was the rating reduced, and to what?

The Panel was of the opinion that the race should be rated using the winner at his pre-race rating of 124.

Had it confirmed that his rating is 124 and will carry 55kg in the July

So nip the prices before the bookies react

Bob Brogan wrote: How does this effect his July weights? Penalty for winning a grade 1?

Got The Greenlight will carry 2kgs less if the July was run today. If Rainbow Bridge run it will carry 55kgs as things stand.

I doubt it will come to KZN for the Gold Challenge 1600m race now sponsored by Hollywood due to its merit rating can go up.

The Jubilee Handicap is out of the question as its a handicap and will carry an astronomical weight. On the same day there is a Pinnacle race over 1400m which will be its likely target although there is also a 2400m Pinnacle Race as well or it will go straight to the July.

Golden D is rated 128 and GtG 124.
They have met twice and GtG has won on both occasions.
Once the D News and the other in the July.
Yes GD won the Champions Cup but surely GtG is at least just as good as him and not 2kgs inferior.

Summer pudding is rated 129, the same raring as Do it Again.
How is this possible.
Her friend Running Brave is rated 119.

naresh wrote:

Bob Brogan wrote: How does this effect his July weights? Penalty for winning a grade 1?

Got The Greenlight will carry 2kgs less if the July was run today. If Rainbow Bridge run it will carry 55kgs as things stand.

I doubt it will come to KZN for the Gold Challenge 1600m race now sponsored by Hollywood due to its merit rating can go up.

The Jubilee Handicap is out of the question as its a handicap and will carry an astronomical weight. On the same day there is a Pinnacle race over 1400m which will be its likely target although there is also a 2400m Pinnacle Race as well or it will go straight to the July.

I was actually thinking that Gold Circle should put on more plate races over 1600 - 2000 for those horses that want to protect their MR's.

However this will lead to the traditional races not being supported like what has happened with Do it Again for example.

I think the weights are getting very interesting - I still have GtG at around 118 and Second Base a gross 119 - as things stand Second Base will get 3 kgs from GtG - as opposed to 2.5 kgs as was the case in the Challenge - yet GtG is trading at 9/2 and Second Base at 18/1 :ohmy: - granted the 2200 may be a push for SB - but maybe also for GtG

At least someone had the guts to appeal the crazy ratings dished out on Champions Day - will others follow suit ?