Class Classification VS Grade VS MR

Hi

Looking for some information:

Often it is mentioned that a horse is up or down in Class, I would like to know if there is a relation between Merit Rating and the Class Classification also is there a difference between Class VS Grade

e.g.
Race name Grade
DOWNLOAD THE RACE CARD ONLINE www.goldcircle.co.za MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) G
www.tabgold.co.za MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) G
CALL TELEBET TRACK & BALL FIXED ODDS ON 031 314 1155 MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) G
GOLD CIRCLE HORSES TO FOLLOW PODCAST MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) G
MOBILE BETTING VISIT www.trackandball.co.za MAIDEN PLATE G
GOLD CIRCLE RACING YOUTUBE CHANNEL PINNACLE STAKES A
OPEN A tabGOLD ACCOUNT - 031 314 1874 MR 72 HANDICAP D
Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE FM 78 HANDICAP (F & M) C

MR99
MDNF
FM68
MR92
MDNM
CGRM
MDQM
FM78
MD3M
MR68
UMGH
DEBU
PCST
MDQF
MR64
MR80
M102
FM67
FM71
NVHC
MR66
MJPF
FM79
GRCM
BSCF
MR70
PINN
MJPM
MR79
FM82
MDWF
MR73
FM73
MR65
MR90
JUVF
FM84
GODB
IFFH
DRHS
FM90
FM85
MR72
M100
MR98
FM76
FM93
MR78
FM83
FEVE
MR88
MR94
CFLY
FM88
GRDM
AHHP
FM86
MR75
CLAM
GUIN
MR86
FM75
AF66
AM64
PRGM
NOWM
MR96
MR87
LOOM
AM68
MDMA
MR84
FM94
UMKS
FM97
MR67
KBJM
GMED
MR69
POST
MR91
MR89
BART
JUVM
JSTK
BARJ
thanks in advance, appreciate any insight

Imo these terms are often bandied about confusing the issue even more - for me one needs to separate Handicap (MR Rated) races from 'Set Weight' races - the terms 'up in class' is basically used when a horse competes in for example a MR 90 Handicap after having run in MR 70 Handicap - in theory, this should not alter the horse's chances as it would be shouldering 10kgs less in the MR 90 Handicap than in the MR 70 Handicap - if the horse's individual rating stays the same, while 'down in class' would be the opposite scenario; also referred to when a horse steps up from running in a MR 80 Handicap to a Grade 1 (or Grade 2 or Grade 3) race - and vice versa

'Grades' are even more confusing - as there is nothing stopping a 'low class' horse (e.g. with MR 70) competing in a Group / Grade 1 race - in that race the horse would obviously be labelled as 'outclassed' - but imo there is not a big distinction in the 'class' of runners contesting Grade 1 vs Grade 2 vs Grade 3 races in South Africa - and this can be complicated even further when a Grade 1 race is a Handicap (e.g. the July)

Not really sure what you are after, but hopes this helps a bit

Where would the stakes races fall compared to high rated handicaps? Some stakes races have lower average merit ratings than high rated handicaps...so would a horse be going up or down in class when moving between those races?

It’s all how you yourself interpret it. No hard n fast rules.


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i am looking for a similar classification for SA racing this is probably related to the grade of the Race (A,B,C,D,E,F) and the relative MR rating
Class 1 applies to Listed handicap races, which are open to horses with ratings over 96
Class 2 handicaps for horses rated between 86 and 110, and include Heritage Handicap races
Class 3 handicap races for horses rated between 76 and 95
Class 4 handicaps for horses rated between 66 and 85
Class 5 handicaps for horses rated between 56 and 75
Class 6 handicaps for horses rated between 46 and 65
Class 7 are for horses rated 0-45.