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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 1. DAILY NEWS MILK FUND MAIDEN PLATE (For a... | 7 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 2. LIFESTYLE OPEN MAIDEN (For all Maidens) | 12 | 1600m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 3. BACKCHAT CLASS 3 (F & M) (For Fillies & ... | 9 | 1400m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 4. RADISSON BLU, DURBAN UMHLANGA MAIDEN JUV... | 12 | 1400m | R160,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 5. LONSDALE STIRRUP CUP (Listed) (Handicap) | 12 | 2400m | R225,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 6. LUCKY FISH WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 2) (... | 7 | 2000m | R500,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 7. DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) (For 3 year-ol... | 11 | 2000m | R2,000,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 8. BERLINER CLASS 4 (F & M) (For Fillies & ... | 9 | 1200m | R135,000 | View Assess |
| 30 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 9. E-EDITIONS CLASS 4 (Open. Benchmark at 6... | 11 | 1200m | R145,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 1. WELCOME TO NELSON MANDELA BAY MAIDEN JUV... | 9 | 1200m | R78,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 2. RACING TODAY MAIDEN PLATE (For all Maide... | 20 | 1200m | R75,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 3. PLAY SOCCER 6, 10 AND 13 MAIDEN PLATE (F... | 10 | 1600m | R75,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 4. TAB 4RACING APP MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (Fo... | 11 | 1600m | R75,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 5. WWW.TAB4RACING.COM FM 80 HANDICAP (F & M... | 13 | 1400m | R88,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 6. RACING240 PINNACLE STAKES (Open to all h... | 7 | 2200m | R108,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 7. #YOUCANBETONUS! MR 78 HANDICAP (Open) | 15 | 1200m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 29 May 2026 | FAIRVIEW RACECOURSE | 8. NEXT FAIRVIEW RACEMEETING FRIDAY 5 JUNE ... | 15 | 1600m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 1. 4RACING WELCOMES YOU JUVENILE PLATE (Fil... | 9 | 1200m | R120,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 2. #YOUCANBETONUS! MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (Fo... | 14 | 1400m | R110,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 3. TAB TELEBET 011 074 0300 MAIDEN PLATE (F... | 13 | 1400m | R115,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 4. FOR HOSPITALITY BOOKINGS CALL 011 681 17... | 12 | 1700m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 5. 4RACING APP FM 80 DIVIDED HANDICAP (F & ... | 10 | 1200m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 6. RACING240 FM 80 DIVIDED HANDICAP (F & M)... | 11 | 1200m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 7. RACING TODAY FM 97 DIVIDED HANDICAP (F &... | 14 | 1200m | R110,000 | View Assess |
| 28 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 8. NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING THURSDAY 18 JUNE M... | 18 | 1200m | R115,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 1. Hollywoodbets GREYVILLE WELCOMES YOU MAI... | 8 | 1000m | R160,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 2. LUCKY FISH NEW FORTUNE MAIDEN JUVENILE P... | 10 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 3. BET WITH COLOSSUS POOLS EXCLUSIVE ON www... | 9 | 1200m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 4. BET WITH TOTE MAIDEN PLATE (For all Maid... | 8 | 1000m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 5. JOIN THE RACE COAST TURF CLUB TODAY! CLA... | 9 | 1800m | R135,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 6. IN THE BOX SEAT PODCAST BROUGHT TO YOU B... | 10 | 1400m | R135,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 7. www.gallop.co.za CLASS 5 (Open. Benchmar... | 10 | 1000m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 27 May 2026 | GREYVILLE RACECOURSE | 8. Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE CLASS 4 (Ope... | 11 | 1000m | R145,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 1. 4RACING WELCOMES YOU WORK RIDERS MAIDEN ... | 6 | 1800m | R75,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 2. #YOUCANBETONUS! MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (F... | 14 | 1000m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 3. RACING TODAY MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE (Fill... | 10 | 1000m | R105,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 4. PLAY SOCCER 6, 10 AND 13 CLASSIFIED STAK... | 13 | 2400m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 5. TAB TELEBET 011 074 0300 MR 84 HANDICAP ... | 10 | 1800m | R120,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 6. 4RACING APP MR 66 HANDICAP (Open) | 13 | 1800m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 7. RACING240 MR 96 HANDICAP (Open) | 12 | 1000m | R130,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 8. FOR HOSPITALITY BOOKINGS CALL 011 681 17... | 15 | 1000m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 26 May 2026 | VAAL RACECOURSE | 9. NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING THURSDAY 28 MAY MR... | 12 | 1200m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 1. Hollywoodbets KENILWORTH WELCOMES YOU MA... | 10 | 1200m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 2. JOIN THE RACE COAST TURF CLUB MAIDEN JUV... | 9 | 1400m | R140,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 3. LUCKY FISH AVIATOR CLASS 5 (Open. Benchm... | 9 | 1400m | R100,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 4. LUCKY FISH PLINKO OPEN MAIDEN (For all M... | 11 | 1200m | R90,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 5. BET WITH TOTE www.tote.co.za CLASS 4 (Op... | 8 | 1200m | R125,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 6. NORMANDY SYNDICATE C STAKES (For All Hor... | 10 | 1950m | R120,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 7. POCKET POWER STAKES (Listed) (For 3 year... | 7 | 1950m | R350,000 | View Assess |
| 24 May 2026 | KENILWORTH RACECOURSE | 8. Hollywoodbets BRIGHT FUTURE OPEN MAIDEN ... | 8 | 1600m | R90,000 | 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