The Equator could the right candidate

THE Tony Peter-trained import The Equator could well be an interesting candidate for the 2026 Hollywoodbets Durban July as he looks capable of rising above his current 116, but how did the handicappers arrive at his initial South African merit rating of 110?

- DAVID THISELTON

Maharaj

The NHA's Chief Handicapper Lennon Maharaj explained, "We classify imported horses into two categories when assigning them a domestic South African rating:

Category A: Horses that have not run in Pattern, Graded, or Listed races and therefore do not have an international rating.

Category B: Horses that have competed in Pattern or Graded/Listed races and are rated by the international rating panel."

He continued, "As a member of this panel, I participate in reaching consensus on the ratings of horses with Pattern form, whether they are trained in South Africa or abroad.