Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate re-ratings

A race we always look forward to as a prelude to the spring Group 1 races.

This year’s race didn’t have the depth of the 2024 renewal, which contained 7 Group 1 winners, but nevertheless was an appealing contest.

In terms of re-ratings, we first assessed the highest rated horse’s performance. Sacred Satono (102) was below his best here. He hasn’t run to his rating. Sharp N Smart (101) was “okay” but at a suboptimal distance. Both horses do not provide a rating level for the race.

Winner Sterling Express was aligned at 98 (+7). This has him equal with the re-rating for last season’s runner-up Mali Ston. This also aligns with our international ratings assessment – we have Sterling Express 5-points lower than Bonny Lass’ winning performance last year.

Placegetters are then aligned to Sterling Express.

Maiden re-ratings in feature races

We had a good question through earlier this week regarding Lollapalooza’s re-rating to 65 – a maiden.

The Taupo Pack N Save was a strong Open 3yo contest with Feature status and prizemoney. Lollapalooza pushed In Haste (70) to a Neck decision, carrying 1.0kg less. She also beat home Group1-placed To Cap It All, Listed winner Little Black Dress and numerous other black-type performers.

Lollapalloza was moved to rating 65. Her performance was likely higher than this mark, but mindful she is still a maiden. The rating places her ahead of standard Industry Day maiden winners in ballot orders for upcoming feature 3yo races.

Her rating would not change if she won a maiden race.

Re-rating 65 and 60 horses when placing

Rating 65 horses will not be taken out of grade for placing, if contesting a R65 race. This is due to being unable to benchmark back into R65 races (unless a 1-race winner).

Re-rating of rating 60 horses which place has been a learning curve. Given it is a relatively new grade and intermittent programming of R60 races it is not a fully functional grade. The re-rating of 60 horses takes into account upcoming opportunities. We are open to discussing each interpretation if raised in a timely manner.