What is the Merit Rating (MR) in SA horse racing?

Short Answer: The Merit Rating (MR) is a numerical score assigned by official handicappers to represent a horse's ability. In South Africa, the higher the rating, the better the horse is considered to be.

1. The Purpose of the MR

The rating is used primarily to determine the weight a horse carries in a 'Handicap' race. For every 1 point higher in MR, a horse theoretically carries 0.5kg more weight than its competitors to make the race equal. A horse with a rating of 100 is significantly better than one rated 70.

2. Spotting a 'Well-Weighted' Horse

Punters look for horses whose rating has recently dropped or stayed the same despite an improving performance. If a horse is 'ahead of the handicapper' (meaning its actual ability is higher than its official rating), it is considered 'well-weighted' and has a higher statistical chance of winning.