News

Thursday, September 11, 2014Contact: Kevin Dixon
+61 2 9551 7700
Australian Racing Board Media Release 11 September

AUSTRALIAN PATTERN COMMITTEE
 
The Australian Racing Board (ARB) today endorsed the Australian Pattern Committee’s (AusPC) recommendation for a rescheduling of the 2015 Sydney Autumn Carnival; more specifically, that the Carnival move one week earlier and the Golden Slipper be brought forward two weeks, resulting in the Golden Slipper being run on the 21st of March and the Championships on the 4th and 11th of April.
 
The ARB understands the public commentary which has arisen as a consequence of these mooted changes and the effect on the Pattern. Both the ARB and AusPC believe that clashes between similar Group 1 races are to be avoided to the greatest possible extent to allow horses to compete in both if able. Such clashes have been virtually eliminated from the Australian Pattern over the years.
 
A clash of dates in 2015 following the above changes between the Randwick Guineas and Australian Guineas is unavoidable despite the concerted efforts of all involved. However, this apparent direct clash is only nominal in effect as the two races in question were to be run only one week apart had no date changes been approved, which most likely would have prevented horses from racing in both events.
 
As a result, the parties directly involved, the VRC, ATC, Racing NSW and Racing Victoria are committed to achieving an adequate separation between the two races in 2016. It goes without saying that it is in the interests of NSW and Victoria as well as the Pattern, that races be programmed to maximize participation.
 
The ARB took into account the following facts:
 
  • In the past 5 years the two Guineas have already clashed on the same date;
  • In the past 5 years, of 133 starters in the 2 races, only 6 horses have competed in both; and
  • Only one horse (Mosheen) has placed in both Guineas, when the two races were run fourteen days apart.
 
While in recent times, both races have operated independently of each other catering for different pools of horses, we believe that this less than optimal situation should change post 2015 when the drive is to separate the two Guineas to enable maximum participation in both races.
 
 
 
 
The ARB also accepted the AusPC’s recommendation of 14 upgrades as per below. Principal amongst them is the upgrading to Group 2 status of the Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), the Run to the Rose, the Bobbie Lewis and the Golden Pendant.
 
The date changes to the Sydney Autumn Carnival will be referred to the Asian Pattern Committee for ratification.
 
 
End Media Release
 
For further information:
Kevin Dixon, Chairman, AusPC,
0419 706 354
 
 
The ARB has approved that the following races be upgraded to Group 2 level having met the criteria for inclusion in the Pattern.
 
Name Gr Track State Dis Age Sex Con UPBM 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 Ave
Blue Diamond Prelude (f) G3 CAUL VIC 1100 2YO Fillies SW 100 103 103.3 100.5 102.4
The Run to the Rose G3 RHIL NSW 1200 3YO Open SW+P 105 110.8 116.8 116.8 114.8
Bobbie Lewis G3 FLEM VIC 1200 4YO+ Open QHcp 110 113.3 110.8 111.8 111.9
Golden Pendant G3 RHIL NSW 1400 Open F&M SW+P 105 112.3 108.8 108 109.7
 
The ARB has approved that the following races be upgraded to Group 3 level having met the criteria for inclusion in the Pattern.
 
 
Name Gr Track State Dis Age Sex Con UPBM 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 Ave
Blue Diamond Preview (f) LR CAUL VIC 1000 2YO Fillies SW+P 95 99 99.5 97.5 98.7
WATC Gimcrack Stakes LR ASCT WA 1100 2YO Fillies SW+P 95 96.8 96.5 98.8 97.4
Black Opal LR CANB ACT 1200 2YO Open SW 100 101.5 102.5 107 103.7.
Canonbury Stakes LR RHIL NSW 1100 2YO C&G SW+P 100 105.5 103 102 103.5
Ethereal LR CAUL VIC 2000 3YO Fillies SW+P 100 106.8 102.8 102 103.9
Eskimo Prince LR RHIL NSW 1200 3YO Open Hcp 105 108.5 106 107 107.2
Bendigo Cup LR BDGO VIC 2400 Open Open Hcp 105 106.3 106.3 107 106.5
La Trice LR ASCT WA 1800 Open F&M SW+P 100 102 104.8 100.8 102.5
 
The ARB has approved that the following races be upgraded to Listed level having met the criteria for inclusion in the Pattern.
 
Name Gr Track State Dis Age Sex Con UPBM 2013/14 2012/13 2011/12 Ave
Blue Sapphire UL CAUL VIC 1200 3YO Open SW 100 109.8 109   109.4
Atlantic Jewel UL M V VIC 1200 3YO Fillies SW+P 95 102.5 103.8 105.3 103.8
 
 
All upgrades will take effect from January 1, 2015, except for the Blue Sapphire which will take effect immediately.
E-Mail : arb@australianracingboard.com.au