Australia’s richest race has been given the status to match its $20 million purse after Racing Australia announced on Wednesday that The Everest and Melbourne’s All Star Mile have been elevated to group 1 races.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, who was part of the creation of The Everest eight years ago, was delighted the race has been granted racing’s ultimate acknowledgement.
Sam Clipperton lifts the Everest trophy after winning aboard Think About It last year.Credit: Getty
“The Everest has deserved this recognition,” V’landys said. “It has been the highest-rated sprint in the world most years since it began, and the highest-rated race in Australia.
“If group 1 status means anything, it had to be a group 1.”
A group 1 rating gives the race recognition among the elite races of the world. Racing Australia announced the two upgrades on Wednesday after they were ratified by the Asian Racing Federation last week, and it left open the possibility of further race upgrades.
“Following the recent agreement and adoption of the Australian Black Type Guidelines by the Racing Australia Board, a review of races under those guidelines is being conducted,” the Racing Australia statement read.
Giga Kick powers away to win The Everest in 2022.Credit: Getty
“As a priority, The Everest and The All Star Mile have been determined to have achieved the criteria and will be recognised as a group 1.
“Whilst these upgrades will take immediate effect, further analysis and review of all black type races is being undertaken with the expectation that further announcements will be made in the near future.”
The Golden Eagle, Russell Balding Stakes, The Shorts and Premiere Stakes have all reached the level required to be given a group 1 classification under the guidelines, butare yet to get the status boost.
Racing NSW also pushed through upgrades to a dozen races in the spring at group 2, group 3 and Listed level.
The Hunter gives Newcastle a group 2 race, while The Gong will be a group 3 race at Kembla Grange.
The swift move means Saturday’s Tapp-Craig will be a Listed race.
Other Racing Australia members are annoyed with Racing NSW’s approach to raising the status of races for this spring before they have been officially agreed upon, officials speaking on the condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to comment publicly said.
“They are out of line with what they have done. They have completely jumped the gun,” one said.
Another added: “They just do what they want. We are still working through things about the upgrades and the structure.”
Meanwhile, representatives from all states were in Canberra to meet with the parliamentary friends of racing group on Wednesday.
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