The Australian Racing Board (ARB) has ratified the recommendation of the Australian Pattern Committee (AusPC) to upgrade three races to Group 2, 14 races to Group 3 and five races to Listed level.
In assessing these upgrades the AusPC was diligent in ensuring that the upgrades met the Asian Pattern Committee’s Ground Rules as well as the AusPC’s more stringent criteria. A further nine races which on the figures met the guidelines were not approved by AusPC because of the effect on the Pattern.
A recent meeting of the Asian Pattern Committee endorsed the recommended upgrades.
The AusPC was especially pleased that there were six races of 1600+ included in the upgrades, which highlights the concerted effort the States and Clubs are putting into staying events. Among the races upgraded from Listed to Group 3 status were the N.E. Manion Cup over 2400m and the Bart Cummings Stakes of 2500m.
The following races were upgraded by the ARB and are effective 1 January, 2014:
Missile Stakes (G3), 1000m, Randwick, NSW Upgraded to G2
Tramway Handicap (G3), 1400m, Randwick, NSW Upgraded to G2
The Roses (G3), 2000m, Doomben, QLD Upgraded to G2
Widden Stakes(LR), 1100m, Rosehill, NSW Upgraded to G3
Hawkesbury Crown (LR), 1300m, Hawkesbury, NSW Upgraded to G3
Red Roses (LR), 1200m, Flemington, VIC Upgraded to G3
N E Manion Cup (LR), 2400m, Rosehill, NSW Upgraded to G3
Hall Mark Stakes (LR), 1200m, Randwick, NSW Upgraded to G3
Vamos Stakes (LR), 1400m, Launceston, TAS Upgraded to G3
Sky High Stakes (LR), 1900m, Rosehill, NSW Upgraded to G3
Bart Cummings Stakes (LR), 2500m, Flemington, VIC Upgraded to G3
Maurice McCarten Stakes (LR), 1100m, Rosehill, NSW Upgraded to G3
Japan Racing Association Plate (LR), 2000m, Randwick, NSW Upgraded to G3
Sunshine Coast Guineas (LR), 1600m, Sunshine Coast, QLD Upgraded to G3
Hawkesbury Guineas (LR), 1400m, Hawkesbury, NSW Upgraded to G3
Ken Russell Memorial (LR), 1200m, Gold Coast, QLD Upgraded to G3
Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (LR), 1400m, Flemington, VIC Upgraded to G3
Bendigo Guineas, Bendigo, VIC Upgraded to Listed
Bendigo Golden Mile, Bendigo, VIC Upgraded to Listed
Sale Cup, Sale, VIC Upgraded to Listed
Black Pearl, Geelong, VIC Upgraded to Listed
Bunbury AHA Cup, Bunbury, WA Upgraded to Listed
– Australian Racing Board
