Australia will boast 71 Group One races with the elevation of the Memsie, Moir and Canterbury Stakes to the highest level.
The Memsie (1400m) has been won in the past three seasons by Sincero, King’s Rose and So You Think, the A J Moir Stakes (1200m) has twice been won by Black Caviar while the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) boasts More Joyous as a dual winner.
The chairman of the Australian Pattern Committee (APC) Alan Brown said all three were worthy of their upgrades.
“These three races all clearly exceeded the benchmarks set for Group One races and thoroughly deserve elevation,” Brown said.
“The Memsie has been on average the highest-rated Group Two race in Australia and the Moir the second.
“The Canterbury Stakes was the highest-ranking Group Two race in Australia last year and rated higher than the Doomben 10,000, the only other Group One race in Australia over a similar distance.”
The three races will all carry a minimum of $350,000 from their next running.
The APC will consider applications for upgrading of the Makybe Diva Stakes, the Apollo Stakes and the Schillaci Stakes at its meeting in December.
