Racing experts believe a review is needed of Australia’s Group and Listed stakes race system

Leading racing industry figures believe the time has come to increase the number of Grand Slam races and overhaul the stakes race system.

A number of leading industry figures have called for a review of the Group Racing Pattern and to make races like The Everest and All-Star Mile Group 1 races. Picture: Getty Images

Michael Freedman, trainer of leading Winx Stakes contender Forbidden Love, is an advocate of introducing a premier series of Group 1 races.

“There are some Group 1 races that you could reasonably query if they should be Group 1 races,” Freedman said.

“But I think everyone agrees The Everest should be a Group 1 and although politically that is probably not that palatable for the Victorian contingent, the fact is The Everest is the best sprint in the southern hemisphere, if not the world.

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Trainer Michael Freedman believes Group 1 status should be given to The Everest. Picture: Getty Images

“There are other races that deserve a higher status. I don’t know if there are too many Group 1 races, but I think there is room to re-evaluate, and expanding the number of Grand Slams is definitely worth consideration.”

Dominic Beirne, a respected voice in Australian racing, did his own study of Australian Group and Listed races which revealed that just over 3 per cent of all races have stakes status.

The breakdown showed that of this 3 per cent, nearly 12 per cent are rated as Group 1 races.

“About 1/160 of NSW and Victoria races are Group 1, while 1/1000 races from the other States and Territories are Group 1,” Beirne said.

“Across Australia there are three times as many Group 1s per race as there are in Japan.

“While NSW and Victoria are amongst the strongest racing jurisdictions in the world, 1/160 seems too high, and most participants would struggle to name many of the Group 1 races.

“Breeders would be the first to acknowledge the difference between the pedigree page of a mare that wins the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide compared to one that wins the Cox Plate or ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes. So, the plethora of Group 1s doesn’t trick anyone.”

Dominic Beirne says the case against The Everest and All-Star Mile, win this year by Zaaki (pictured), becoming Group 1s is flawed. Picture: Getty Images

Beirne said the case against affording Group 1 status for The Everest and All-Star Mile because they are restricted is flawed.

“Other Group 1 races are restricted by age, gender or both,” Beirne said.

“Try naming a deserving horse that wasn’t slotted or invited entry. The very best available contend each year.

“Once a few years has lapsed, such new races should be judged on merit and there is no doubt that these two easily sit in the top 10 of all Australian Group 1 races.”

Gary Crispe, the compiler of the official Australian Timeform ratings, said an urgent reappraisal is needed of all the nation’s Group 1 races and should include The Everest, Golden Eagle and All-Star Mile.

“Racing has evolved considerably over the last five years or so with the emergence of these event races which are proving popular with the industry and attracting excellent quality fields,” Crispe said.

“It seems reasonable that where they meet the criteria for Group 1 status, they should be elevated into the Pattern.”

Originally published as Racing experts believe a review is needed of Australia’s Group and Listed stakes race system