Merit rating appeal upheld

An independent panel constituted in terms of Clauses 20.3 and 21.3 of the NHA Constitution and consisting of Messrs K Miedema, J Vermaak and A Sewpersad was convened on 17 February 2026 to consider a Merit Rating Appeal lodged by Trainer Mathew de Kock.

The appeal was lodged against the merit rating increases relating to Splittheeights, Grand Empire, One Eye On Vegas and Yippee Kiyay, following their performances in the TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas on 7 February 2026, at Turffontein Racecourse, where they were allocated the following merit ratings:

• Splittheeights –  97 > 121 (24 points)
• Grand Empire – 108 > 120 (12 points)
• One Eye On Vegas – 106 > 118 (12 points)
• Yippee Kiyay – 101 > 117 (16 points)

The Appeal Panel was of the opinion that the line horse which was utilised, Tin Pan Alley, was not optimal under the circumstances and that Grand Empire and One Eye On Vegas should have been jointly utilised as the line horses on the day.

Accordingly, the merit rating of Splittheeights has been adjusted to 109, Grand Empire’s and One Eye On Vegas’s merit ratings have been restored to 108 and 106 respectively, And Yippee Kiyay’s merit rating has been adjusted to 105.

The Appeal was upheld and the deposit fee is to be refunded to Mathew de Kock.