Black Type Upgrades

The Australian Racing Board (ARB) has ratified the recommendation of the Australian Pattern Committee (AusPC) to upgrade 3 races to Group 2, 14 races to Group 3 and 5 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 6 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:

Upgrade to Group 2
Missile Stakes (G3), 1000m, Randwick, NSW
Tramway Handicap (G3), 1400m, Randwick, NSW
The Roses (G3), 2000m, Doomben, QLD

Upgraded to Group 3
Widden Stakes(LR), 1100m, Rosehill, NSW
Hawkesbury Crown (LR), 1300m, Hawkesbury, NSW
Red Roses (LR), 1200m, Flemington, VIC
N E Manion Cup (LR), 2400m, Rosehill, NSW
Hall Mark Stakes (LR), 1200m, Randwick, NSW
Vamos Stakes (LR), 1400m, Launceston, TAS
Sky High Stakes (LR), 1900m, Rosehill, NSW
Bart Cummings Stakes (LR), 2500m, Flemington, VIC
Maurice McCarten Stakes (LR), 1100m, Rosehill, NSW
Japan Racing Association Plate (LR), 2000m, Randwick, NSW
Sunshine Coast Guineas (LR), 1600m, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Hawkesbury Guineas (LR), 1400m, Hawkesbury, NSW
Ken Russell Memorial (LR), 1200m, Gold Coast, QLD
Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (LR), 1400m, Flemington, VIC

Upgraded to Listed
Bendigo Guineas, Bendigo, VIC
Bendigo Golden Mile, Bendigo, VIC
Sale Cup, Sale, VIC
Black Pearl, Geelong, VIC
Bunbury AHA Cup, Bunbury, WA