TAB NATIONAL CURRENCY SPRINT (Grade 3)

MIAMI MOUNTAIN has received a revised rating of 103, up from 98, following his victory in the TAB National Currency Sprint (Grade 3) for three-year-olds over 1100m at the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday.  The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the runner-up, WILD JUSTICE, as the key horse in assessing this race, leaving his rating unchanged at 104.

The blog published on racehorse trainers Mike and Matthew De Kock's website, contains material factual inaccuracies regarding the convening, composition, and mandate of the Appeal Board that adjudicated the merit rating appeal relating to TRUST arising from the TAB Gauteng Guineas (Gr 2).

An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the Constitution and consisting of Messrs R Bloomberg, C Gordon and D Thistleton was convened on 20 February 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by trainer Ms Candice Dawson against the retained 119 merit rating of TRUST, following his performance in the TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2) on 7 February 2026, at Turffontein racecourse.

On 17 February 2026, an independent Appeal Board, in a separate Appeal brought by trainer Matthew de Kock (and which included trainer Sean Tarry), adjusted the merit ratings of the following horses which had participated in the GAUTENG GUINEAS: 

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms a Prohibited Substance finding arising from routine pre-race specimen collection.

The presence of Flunixin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) classified as a Class 4 prohibited substance, was disclosed following analysis of a specimen collected from DREAM TEAM prior to the running of Race 4 at Fairview Racecourse on 16 January 2026.

An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the NHA Constitution and consisting of Messrs K Miedema, J Vermaak and A Sewpersad was convened on 17 February 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mr Mathew de Kock against the merit rating increases relating to SPLITTHEEIGHTS, GRAND EMPIRE, ONE EYE ON VEGAS and YIPPEE KIYAY, following their performances in the TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2) on 7 February 2026, at Turffontein Racecourse, where they were allocated the following merit ratings:

BETWAY LONDON NEWS STAKES (Grade 3)

FIRE ATTACK’s official merit rating remained unchanged following his victory in the Grade 3 Betway London News Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday. The Handicappers believed that FIRE ATTACK had confirmed his established rating of 124 and accordingly used him as the line horse to assess the race.