Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Steve Hart

Calls are growing for a revamp of the Group 1 roster in Australia with a premier series of Group 1 races also being touted as a serious option.

The argument in recent years has often been about whether there are too many Group 1 races in the country, whether certain of those races actually deserve that elite status and why some outstanding races that clearly should be given the Group 1 nod of approval are still without that designation behind their name.

The obvious race in the latter category is The Everest with the unrestrained, unhappy divide between Racing NSW and Racing Victoria being enough, under the current system, to short-circuit The Everest’s elevation to what many believe to be its rightly place in any Group 1 line-up.

Trainer Michael Freedman put that situation in perspective when talking to Racenet.

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

“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.”

Gary Crispe is responsible for producing the Australian Timeform Ratings and, as such, he is an authority on the subject.

His message could not be any clearer.

“Racing has evolved considerably over the last five years or so with the emergence of these event races (such as The Everest, the Golden Eagle and the All Star Mile) which are proving popular with the industry and attracting excellent quality fields,” Crispe told Racenet.

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

The premier series of Group 1 races, that has been mentioned, really relates to expanding the time-honoured Grand Slam of racing … the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper … to include a bigger representation of races, but arguably that will be a far more difficult sell compared to changing the status of individual races.

Some traditions are likely to hold firm.

And, on the other side of the coin, that still leaves the debate open as to whether some Group 1 races should be downgraded.

The bottom line is a complete review and, if settled on, a possible revamp of the Group 1 racing scene in Australia is overdue … and, whatever the outcome, for that review meeting to happen sooner rather than later will be of obvious benefit to the industry … but, then again, that would only be a meaningful exercise if Racing Victoria and Racing New South Wales leave their differences at the door!

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au