Race 3: GUINEAS DAY 7 FEBRUARY PROGRESS PLATE (1,2 & 3 time winners & Maidens)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 12:35

Distance: 1700m

Going: Good

Stakes: R146,438

Race Results

Pos	Horse	A.C.S.	Weight	Draw	Jockey	Len	MR	CMR	Odds
-	My Lucky Charm	3 b. c	51.5kg (53.0)	5	Mickaelle Michel	-	-	73	33/10
-	Zanthar	3 ch. g	55.0kg	1	Mr L M van Rensburg	-	-	80	4/1
1st	Taegan's Champ TF	3 b. c	60.5kg	1	Mr G J Lerena	-	103	103	15/10
2nd	Hotarubi	4 b. g	54.5kg (58.5)	3	Mr B Marx - Jacobson	1.75	101	98	5/2
3rd	Bristol Hercules	2 b. c	57.0kg	2	Mr C Murray	4.5	87	87	18/10
4	Step Into It	2 ch. g	53.0kg	4	Mr J R Syster	11.25	83	76	25/1

Race Timing

Winning Time

103.12s

Total Pool

R1,273,938

View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse	Pos	MR Before	MR After	Official Δ	Expected Δ	Discrepancy
Taegan's Champ	1	103	103	0	+ 7	-7
Hotarubi	2	101	98	-3	-1	-2
Bristol Hercules	3	87	87	0	-2	+ 2
Step Into It	4	83	76	-7	-4	-3
My Lucky Charm	None	-	73	-	-193	-
Zanthar	None	-	80	-	-193	-

Note: Expected changes are calculated using simplified algorithms. Official NHRA algorithms from the PDF will provide accurate benchmarking.

Stipes Report

THE STARTER HAD NO REPORTS. 	

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:

a)	TAEGAN'S CHAMP (G Lerena) and BRISTOL HERCULES (C Murray) over-raced in the early stages. 
b)	TAEGAN'S CHAMP (G Lerena), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.
Trainer F P Habib advised (MS).
	
JOCKEY CHANGES:
None. 

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
None. 

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	HOTARUBI moderate post-race distress. 

SCRATCHED:
a)	ZANTHAR sold without engagement. Advised 16 January 2026 at 04H43.
b)	MY LUCKY CHARM insufficient recovery time (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies).	

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.