CUP CANDIDATES : WHO'S IN AND WHO'S OUT
Friday, October 23, 2009 at 06:10PM 
R1.5 MILLION EMPERORS PALACE READY TO RUN CUP
7 NOVEMBER 2009
Well, we’re not able to make any statements about where the cut-off is going to be, because that’s a matter for the handicappers’ discretion. While merit-rating is always a more than useful guide, three-year-olds are improving dramatically at this time of year, and they’ve got a devil’s duty trying to decide who to leave in and who to exclude. Bloodstock South Africa is maintaining a log (based on merit rating), so players can go to www.summerhill.co.za and follow the trail to the Holy Grail!
There are several new aspirants chasing the big trophy, some of which are making their débuts this weekend, and it’s possible a couple of them might displace one or two at the lower end of the ladder. Already this week, we’ve seen some sparkling displays from Mluleki, a winner by two and three quarter lengths for Paul Matchett on Saturday at Turffontein and Mike de Kock’s Fisani, carrying the colours of Sheikh Mohammed, strode away by 2.5 lengths from the outside gate on the inner track, against older horses. That was a class performance, recording her second win, and she will be very near the top of the boards when the gates open on the 7th November.
MERIT RATINGS AS AT 19 OCTOBER 2009
| HORSE | SIRE | SEX | MR |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMANJEMANJE | Kahal | C | 96 |
| HAVASHA | Kahal | C | 94 |
| ASHJAAN | Malhub | F | 93 |
| SECOND WORLD | Second Empire | C | 91 |
| KHETANI | Labeeb | C | 91 |
| PIERRE JOURDAN | Parade Leader | C | 89 |
| ONEHUNDREDACREWOOD | Malhub | F | 88 |
| TRAFALGAR LEGACY | Rock Of Gibraltar | C | 88 |
| FISANI | Kahal | F | 88 |
| DIGNIFICATION | Muhtafal | F | 85 |
| MAHUBO | National Emblem | C | 85 |
| MANNEQUIN | Kahal | F | 82 |
| COCOA ROSE | Kahal | F | 82 |
| VUMANI | Malhub | C | 81 |
| SMART AL | Al Mufti | C | 81 |
| SMANYO | Second Empire | C | 81 |
| ——————————————————————- | —————————— | ——- | —— |
| KWELA-KWELA | Muhtafal | F | 80 |
| NYAKATHO | Labeeb | C | 80 |
| BUKA MINA | Slew The Red | F | 80 |
| ROSETTA STONE | Jet Master | F | 80 |
| WARMONGER | Kabool | F | 80 |
| HOLD THE GOLD | Captain Al | C | 79 |
| MLULEKI | Muhtafal | C | 79 |
| SICOCO | Muhtafal | C | 78 |
| HEY MON | Requiem | C | 78 |
| SNOW SPECIAL | Spectrum | C | 78 |
| GUNG HO | Labeeb | F | 77 |
| I’LOLLIPOP | National Emblem | F | 77 |
| MABHALANE | National Emblem | C | 77 |
| SIZZLING GUY | Slew The Red | C | 77 |
| CRY HAVOC | Caesour | C | 75 |
| TOBRUSKY | Lavery | C | 75 |
| GORGEOUS GEORGE | Labeeb | C | 75 |
| BABAZANI | Slew The Red | C | 74 |
| FAST DOT COM | Lavery | C | 74 |
| STANN CREEK | Strike Smartly | F | 73 |
| MACK M | Labeeb | C | 73 |
| I’GEM | Kahal | F | 72 |
| SALUTATION | Requiem | F | 72 |
| JIKA MAJIKA | Malhub | C | 71 |
| SPICE CLUB | Fan Club’s Mister | F | 71 |
| RUNNING RIOT | Muhtafal | F | 70 |
| CRIMSON MOONLIGHT (Aus) | Untouchable | F | 70 |
| GOODTOSEEYOU | Malhub | F | 68 |
| LAST TOUCH | Slew The Red | F | 67 |
| JIBE CITY | Kahal | F | 66 |
| MATHAFA | National Emblem | C | 66 |
| ROMAN WORLD | Caesour | F | 65 |
| GATHERING LIGHT | Requiem | F | 64 |
| GALAXY QUEST | Kahal | C | 64 |
| BEYOND REVENGE | Labeeb | C | 63 |
| PEN MAN | Lecture | C | 62 |
| SEISMIC SHIFT | Labeeb | C | 60 |
| RAMBUNCTIOUS | Muhtafal | F | 45 |
| BOLD CRUSADER | Malhub | C | 43 |
| SPESHIMINIAAL | Badger’s Drift | C | 38 |
