Racing NSW makes more black type changes as controversy rumbles on
Two more “NSW black type” races have been quietly added to the calendar, and a third given a supposed upgrading, as the international impasse continues over the state’s stakes race debacle.
Next Saturday’s $1m Golden Gift (1100m) has been listed as having black type for the first time at Group 3.
A race called The Warra (1000m), at Kembla Grange’s Saturday stand-alone meeting on November 23, has also been tagged for entry into the black type pattern as a Group 3, while the Parramatta Cup (Listed, 1900m), at Rosehill next February, has been denoted as upgraded to Group 3.
The latest changes bring to 15 the total number of NSW races given unofficial upgrades in the recent weeks of upheaval surrounding the Australian black type pattern. That group does not include the new and internationally ratified top-tier status for The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m).
None of the 15 have been recognised by the all-important Asian Pattern Committee (APC), the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) and the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA).
Since SITA oversees the International Cataloguing Standards publication “The Blue Book” – the reference source for sales catalogues around the world – the 15 changes have also not been recognised by Arion, the southern hemisphere’s largest supplier of pedigrees.
In turn, Australia’s auction houses Inglis and Magic Millions are also not recognising the supposed upgrades, as something of an ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ standoff continues – and looks certain to continue until dialogue occurs between Racing Australia (RA) and the APC.
With six of the 15 already run, connections and breeders of placegetters remain in the dark as to whether they have had black type success as designated in the Sydney racebook, or whether they have not, as per the position of global authorities.
RA, on which Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys is a board member, has made no announcements regarding the 15 NSW events. Instead, their supposed change of status has been reflected only in alterations to the RA racing calendar.
Amid recent machinations behind closed doors at RA over the black type pattern, all mainland states were set to announce some 87 upgrades together. But when a storm arose after 12 NSW changes were posted on the RA calendar first, all other states put theirs on hold.
Australia has not had a race downgraded for some 12 years, and has not had a pattern committee since 2018, amid political friction between NSW and Victoria.
RA CEO Paul Eriksson has insisted to ANZ Bloodstock News that RA has the right to make decisions on upgrades up to Group 2 level, under the APC’s ground rules.
However, SITA chairman Jonathan D’Arcy told ANZ the intent of the ground rules was that national bodies could slate upgrades and then inform the APC at their annual meeting of their intention to implement them in the following season.
Eriksson told ANZ last month RA had not informed the APC of the initial swathe of 12 NSW upgrades, as it believed it didn’t have to. He did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
ANZ understands the APC wrote to RA two weeks ago, voicing their displeasure over Australia’s ongoing black type situation, but that RA has not responded.
SITA wrote to RA at the same time to express its concerns. D’Arcy said on Friday no response had been forthcoming.
“As SITA chairman I haven’t received any feedback from Racing Australia,” D’Arcy told ANZ.
He added: “I don’t think there’s any doubt a couple of those races warrant upgrades. A race like the Golden Gift would warrant it.
“But unfortunately, the process hasn’t been followed at the present time for these upgrades to be ratified by SITA and IRPAC, so it won’t be appearing in catalogues until that process is undertaken by the APC.
“It’s frustrating. It doesn’t work for everyone to bury their heads in the sand. This has to be addressed. It’s too important a topic not to be addressed. People need to get in a room, and let’s fix it.”
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has written to the APC voicing its concerns. It has also written to RA, and all state Principal Racing Authorities which help make up the national administrator, voicing its dissatisfaction and asking to be involved in the black type decision-making process.
As with stipulations followed around the world to ensure the integrity of black type racing, the APC has the authority to sign off on all alterations in its member nations – including Australia. It then informs SITA and IRPAC that this has been done, and the races’ changed status will then be denoted in The Blue Book.
RA flagged it was going alone on October 11 when it announced it had replaced the country’s pattern system with the new “Australian Black Type Guidelines”, having argued the pattern contained “anti-competitive elements”.
Another of the NSW 15 races will be run on Saturday, in the shape of the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m), which was slated to enter the pattern at Group 3.
The six out of the 15 that have already been run are:
October 12
Tapp-Craig (1400m) – “upgraded” from non black type to Listed
Winner: Anode (I Am Invincible)
Breeder Evergreen Rich
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Jockey: Tim Clark
October 19
St Leger Stakes (2600m) – non-black type to Group 3
Athabascan (Almanzor)
Breeder: Ecurie Peregrine (FR)
Trainer: John O’Shea and Tom Charlton
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) – Listed to Group 3
Aeliana (Castelvecchio)
Breeder: Nearco Stud & Rich Hill Thoroughbreds (NZ)
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Silver Eagle (1300m) – non black type to Group 3
Ostraka (Pariah)
Breeder: Arrowfield
Trainer: Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald
Jockey: Blake Shinn
October 26
The Invitation (1400m) – non black type to Group 2
Belclare (Per Incanto)
Breeder: DK Woodhouse
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Blake Shinn
The Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m)
Iknowastar (Star Witness)
Breeder: Miller Thoroughbreds, et al
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Rachel King