Group 1 status for The Everest and All-Star Mile could help mend the relationship between Racing Victoria and Racing NSW

Racing Victoria’s new chief Aaron Morrison will strive to improve the relationship with Racing NSW and find common ground over the status of The Everest.

The Everest “quite clearly” qualifies for Group 1 status, says Racing Victoria’s new boss Aaron Morrison. Picture: AFP

A wedge between Victorian and NSW racing administrations could be cleared with bipartisan support potentially for The Everest and All-Star Mile being afforded Group 1 status.

New Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said The Everest, like the All-Star Mile, “quite clearly qualify” as Group 1 standard races.

Past Victorian brass have not been able to find common ground with NSW supremo Peter V’landys and effectively paralysed Racing Australian in the process.

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NSW and Victoria, the biggest players around the RA table, hold veto rights on decisions, including pattern and black-type guidelines.

“We’re trying to find a way to work with Racing NSW and other members of Racing Australia to reactivate that (black-type pattern) process,” Morrison said.

“On the basis of what we’re proposing, a race like The Everest would quite clearly qualify for Group 1 status, based on ratings mainly.

“Equally, the All-Star Mile, the All-Star Mile has rated above the Group 1 benchmark in every running that we’ve conducted.

“If we’re successful in progressing what we think we’re going to progress, those two would be natural outcomes (Group 1 status), which I think will be great for everyone.”

New Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison wants to improve relations with Racing NSW.

Morrison, officially appointed chief executive last Tuesday, and RV chairman Tim Eddy have worked hard the past four months to rebuild a relationship with NSW counterparts.

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“It’s no doubt it’s been a challenge for us (past relationship) but also been to the detriment of racing nationally,” Morrison said.

“I’ve recognised the importance of investing in that relationship and Peter is very receptive to that, embraced the opportunity equally with Tim Eddy.

“We’ve had a number of conversations about how we can move past some of our previous issues for the betterment of racing nationally in Australia.”

Meanwhile, Racing Victoria executive general manager Matt Welsh resigned on Wednesday.

Welsh was appointed in September 2022 by former chief executive Andrew Jones.

His resignation comes a day after Morrison’s ascension to the top job.

Morrison has vowed to review RV operations including the media arm as a matter of priority.

Originally published as Group 1 status for The Everest and All-Star Mile could help mend the relationship between Racing Victoria and Racing NSW