An independent panel consisting of Messrs V Moodley, J Vermaak and R S Napier convened on 30 August 2018 by teleconference, to hear a MR Appeal lodged by Trainer Andre Nel, on behalf of the horse PLEASEDTOMEETYOU, against the Merit Rating of 92 allotted to this colt after it had won Race 1 at Kenilworth Racecourse on 7 August 2018.

The Panel by unanimous decision, decided to dismiss the appeal on the basis that the horses with the exposed form ran way below their previous two starts from a margin perspective and the Handicappers had no option but to rate the race in the manner in which they did. PLEASEDTOMEETYOU’s rating is within the handicapping guidelines.

Based on the fact that the top four positions were filled by first time runners, the handicappers were forced to apply more ‘art and science’, rather than the traditional line horse methodology, in determining the rating of the race. The deposit fee will be refunded.