Race 7: TAB DR RICHARD MAPONYA HANDICAP (Listed) (Open)

VAAL RACECOURSE | Saturday, 24 January 2026 | 15:10

Distance: 1800m
Going: Good
Stakes: R250,000
Weight For Age(SSL) 3yrs:6.0 4yrs:0.5 Weight For Age(SNL) 3yrs:8.5 4yrs:1.5

Race Results

Pos Horse A.C.S. Weight Draw Jockey Len MR CMR Odds
1st Aristotle 3 b. g 55.5kg 2 Mr C J Habib - 104 106 25/2
2nd Pioneer Square 3 b. g 54.0kg 5 Mr Serino Moodley 0.2 96 101 9/2
3rd Willy Meet Again 3 ch. f 55.5kg 1 Mr C Zackey 0.45 104 102 10/1
4 Gerbera 3 ch. f 54.0kg 7 Mr P Mxoli 1.35 98 98 8/1
5 Bakwena 3 b. f 54.5kg (54.0) 8 Mr K de Melo 2.85 92 97 25/1
6 Buster Barnes 2 b. c 55.0kg 9 Mr C Murray 2.95 102 101 9/2
7 Copper Eagle 2 b. c 54.0kg 3 Mr K Matsunyane 3.0 103 100 7/1
8 The Ultimate King TF 3 b. c 60.0kg 10 Mr M A Yeni 5.0 113 117 7/2
9 Choisaanada 2 b. c 59.5kg 6 Mickaelle Michel 10.5 112 121 16/1
10 King's Express 3 b. g 55.0kg 4 Mr L M van Rensburg 99.99 102 102 25/1

Race Timing

Winning Time
110.83s
Total Pool
R1,380,000
View Official NHA Assessment

Rating Analysis

Horse Pos MR Before MR After Official Δ Expected Δ Discrepancy
Aristotle 1 104 106 +2 + 7 -5
Pioneer Square 2 96 101 +5 -1 + 6
Willy Meet Again 3 104 102 -2 -1 -1
Gerbera 4 98 98 0 -1 + 1
Bakwena 5 92 97 +5 -1 + 6
Buster Barnes 6 102 101 -1 -1
Copper Eagle 7 103 100 -3 -2 -1
The Ultimate King 8 113 117 +4 -2 + 6
Choisaanada 9 112 121 +9 -4 + 13
King's Express 10 102 102 0 -10 + 10
Note: Expected changes are calculated using simplified algorithms. Official NHRA algorithms from the PDF will provide accurate benchmarking.

Stipes Report

HANDLER. THIS CAUSED A DELAY TO THE START OF THIS RACE.

THE STARTER REPORTED:
a)	GERBERA (P Mxoli) jumped awkwardly leaving the stalls.

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:
a)	All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded.
b)	BAKWENA (K de Melo) proved reluctant to canter to the start. Trainer J J van Vuuren is to be advised that should this filly behave in a similar manner in future, she may be suspended. 
c)	Approaching the 1400m, THE ULTIMATE KING (M Yeni), which commenced to over-race, was steadied to avoid the heels of BAKWENA (K de Melo). 
d)	At approximately the 1400m, KING'S EXPRESS (M van Rensburg) ducked sharply outwards away from the inside running rail, which resulted in Jockey M van Rensburg becoming dislodged. As a consequence, WILLY MEET AGAIN (C Zackey), PIONEER SQUARE (S Moodley) and COPPER EAGLE (K Matsunyane) had to take evasive action to avoid the fallen Jockey. Jockey M van Rensburg was attended to by the course paramedics and taken to the course medical centre for further observation. This precluded Jockey M van Rensburg from weighing in. The Board, acting in terms of Rule 66.2, deemed his weight to be correct.
e)	GERBERA (P Mxoli) shifted both ways away from the crop from the 150m. 
f)	In view of the performance of CHOISAANADA (M Michel), (distance 10,50 lengths, betting 16/1), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.	
g)	Jockey M Yeni reported that he felt something amiss with THE ULTIMATE KING in running. 
The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. 
Trainer A P Peter was requested to report back to the Stipendiary Board on the condition of THE ULTIMATE KING  on return to stables. 		
h)	ARISTOTLE (C Habib), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.	
Trainer A G Laird advised (MS).
	

Race 7 contd. 
JOCKEY CHANGES:
a)	BAKWENA: Jockey K de Melo weighed out at 54,7kg, 0,5kg over the carded weight.
	
RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:
None. 

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:
a)	CHOISAANADA examined post-race, nothing obvious detected.
b)	THE ULTIMATE KING examined post-race, nothing obvious detected.
c)	PIONEER SQUARE abnormal respiratory noise.	

THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS. 

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.