Rating Benchmarks
Official NHRA handicapping algorithms & rating validation
Official Algorithms Loaded: Using NHA Handicapping Guidelines with Weight-For-Age scale,
drag effect tables, and official rating calculation methodology.
Drag Effect of Weight by Distance
Shows the weight equivalent (in kg) of beaten margins at different distances. Based on Page 13 of the NHA Handicapping Guidelines.
Weight-For-Age Scale Summary
South African Differential Weight-for-Age Scale (Allowance in kg from a 5-year-old). Based on Admiral Rous's 1855 scale (Page 19-20 of Guidelines).
| Distance | Age | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤1200m | 2yo | 7.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 |
| 3yo | 10.5 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | |
| 1201-1600m | 3yo | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| 4yo | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |
| 1601-2000m | 3yo | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| 4yo | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | |
| 2001-2400m | 3yo | 10.5 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| 4yo | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | |
| 2401m+ | 3yo | 11.5 | 11.0 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| 4yo | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Races Available for Benchmarking
| Date | Venue | Race | Runners | Distance | Stakes | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 1. WELCOME TO Hollywoodbets GREYVILLE MAIDE... | 8 | 1000m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 2. RACE COAST SALES INCENTIVES MAIDEN PLATE... | 11 | 1600m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 3. BET WITH COLOSSUS POOLS EXCLUSIVE ON www... | 10 | 1400m | R135,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 4. BET WITH TOTE MIDDLE STAKES (F & M) (For... | 9 | 1400m | R150,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 5. RCS MIXED SALE 7 MAY 2026 A STAKES (For ... | 9 | 1200m | R200,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 6. RACE COAST SALES SLIPPER (2yo R100 000 W... | 17 | 1200m | R3,000,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 7. RACE COAST SALES BIG CAP (Open (Non-Blac... | 14 | 1400m | R5,000,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 8. RCS TWO-YEAR-OLD SALE 24 OCTOBER 2026 CL... | 14 | 1400m | R145,000 | View Assess |
| 11 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 9. Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE CLASS 5 (Ope... | 13 | 1200m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 1. WELCOME TO NELSON MANDELA BAY MAIDEN JUV... | 7 | 1200m | R70,200 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 2. TAB 4RACING APP MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (F... | 9 | 1400m | R78,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 3. #YOUCANBETONUS! APPRENTICE MAIDEN PLATE ... | 14 | 1400m | R75,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 4. EAST CAPE OAKS (For 3 year old Fillies. ... | 6 | 2000m | R150,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 5. WWW.TAB4RACING.COM MR 68 HANDICAP (Open) | 13 | 2000m | R76,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 6. PLAY SOCCER 6, 10 AND 13 DERBY PLATE (Fo... | 8 | 2000m | R94,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 7. FAIRVIEW FLYING FIVE (For all Horses - N... | 11 | 1000m | R175,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 8. RACING240 APPRENTICE CLASSIFIED STAKES (... | 19 | 1200m | R80,000 | View Assess |
| 10 Apr 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 9. NEXT FAIRVIEW RACEMEETING FRIDAY 17 APRI... | 13 | 1600m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 1. 4RACING WELCOMES YOU MAIDEN PLATE (For a... | 5 | 1600m | R60,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 2. RACING TODAY MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fill... | 5 | 1600m | R72,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 3. FOR HOSPITALITY BOOKINGS CALL 011 681 17... | 7 | 1600m | R104,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 4. PLAY SOCCER 6, 10 AND 13 MAIDEN PLATE (F... | 6 | 1600m | R63,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 5. CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALE 25 APRIL CALL 011 6... | 9 | 1600m | R160,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 6. #YOUCANBETONUS! MIDDLE STAKES (For All H... | 11 | 2000m | R160,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 7. RACING240 MR 81 HANDICAP (Open) | 11 | 2000m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 8. TAB 4RACING APP FM 86 HANDICAP (F & M) (... | 8 | 1450m | R108,000 | View Assess |
| 09 Apr 2026 | TURFFONTEIN RACECOURSE | 9. NEXT TURFFONTEIN RACEMEETING SUNDAY 12 A... | 10 | 1450m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 1. Hollywoodbets GREYVILLE WELCOMES YOU JUV... | 8 | 1400m | R175,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 2. RACE COAST - BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SA HORSE ... | 9 | 1000m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 3. BET WITH TOTE MAIDEN PLATE (For all Maid... | 12 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 4. ONLINE FORM GUIDE www.gallop.co.za APPRE... | 7 | 1400m | R80,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 5. GALLOP TV B STAKES (For All Horses) | 11 | 1400m | R170,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 6. IN THE BOX SEAT PODCAST C STAKES (For Al... | 9 | 1000m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 7. BET WITH COLOSSUS POOLS EXCLUSIVE ON www... | 9 | 1000m | R170,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 8. LUCKY FISH WISH MAKER C STAKES (For All ... | 8 | 2000m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 08 Apr 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 9. Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE CLASS 4 (Ope... | 10 | 1600m | R145,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 1. Hollywoodbets KENILWORTH WELCOMES YOU MA... | 9 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 2. LUCKY FISH WINNING STREAK MIDDLE STAKES ... | 6 | 1100m | R130,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 3. JOIN THE RACE COAST TURF CLUB OPEN MAIDE... | 9 | 1600m | R80,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 4. LUCKY FISH LUCKY BREAK MIDDLE STAKES (Fo... | 7 | 1800m | R150,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 5. RACE COAST INCENTIVES POWERED BY Hollywo... | 9 | 1800m | R120,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 6. SWEET CHESTNUT STAKES (Listed) (For F&M ... | 8 | 1400m | R200,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 7. VARIETY CLUB MILE (Grade 3) (For Horses ... | 9 | 1600m | R350,000 | View Assess |
| 06 Apr 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 8. Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE CLASS 4 (Ope... | 10 | 1200m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 1. WSB.CO.ZA MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fillies... | 18 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 2. WSB 777 STRIKE MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fo... | 12 | 1000m | R160,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 3. WSB CLUB PRIVE MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (For... | 10 | 1400m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 4. WSB HOME OF WORLD COINS MAIDEN PLATE (Fo... | 9 | 1400m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 5. WORLD SPORTS BETTING HIGHLAND NIGHT CUP ... | 9 | 2400m | R185,000 | View Assess |
| 05 Apr 2026 | SCOTTSVILLE RACECOURSE | 6. WORLD SPORTS BETTING SLEDGEHAMMER (Liste... | 7 | 1750m | R225,000 | View Assess |
Special Rules Summary
Minor Race Plate Rule
- Winner max adjustment: 6 merit rating points
- Placed horses: Upward adjustment only if requested
Maiden Plate Winners
- 4yo+ winner max: 70
- 3yo winner max: 78
- Kimberley max: 60
- Zimbabwe max: 58
Layoff & Surface Rules
Layoff Allowance
- 210 days off: Up to 3 points
- 365+ days off: Up to 5 points
Surface-Specific Rules
- Sand and Turf ratings treated independently
- 3+ runs on both surfaces needed for dual rating
- Vaal Sand margins: 75% of normal