Australia

APC confirms Australian black type changes

NZ Racing Desk

— 2 min read
APC confirms Australian black type changes
Well Written will target the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) which is now a Group One race. Photo: Trish Dunell

The Asian Pattern Committee has confirmed a significant reshaping of Australia’s black type programme for the 2026-27 season, including the addition of 19 races to the pattern and 11 race upgrades.

The Asian Racing Federation temporarily placed the APC in charge of all Australian Group and Listed race decisions in December 2025, while Racing Australia works to establish a system that complies with APC Ground Rules.

Racing Australia accepted all of the committee’s provisional decisions, which have now been ratified by the ARF Executive Council.

The Golden Eagle has been granted Group One status, while The Invitation and Russell Balding Stakes enter the pattern at Group Two level. Only one existing black type race has been downgraded, with the Stan Fox Stakes moving from Group Two to Group Three.

New black type races

  • Golden Eagle, 1500m: Group One
  • The Invitation, 1400m: Group Two
  • Russell Balding Stakes, 1300m: Group Two
  • Alan Brown Stakes, 1400m: Group Three
  • ATC St. Leger Stakes, 2600m: Group Three
  • The Gong, 1600m: Group Three
  • Unite Resourcing – Max Simmonds Stakes, 1000m: Listed
  • Tapp-Craig Stakes, 1400m: Listed
  • Rosehill Gold Cup, 2000m: Listed
  • Big Dance, 1600m: Listed
  • Golden Gift, 1100m: Listed
  • The Beauford, 2300m: Listed
  • The Baker Group 3yo Cup, 1200m: Listed
  • The Wharf Mooloolaba Swiss Ace Plate, 1000m: Listed
  • The Warra, 1000m: Listed

Granted black type below the level requested

  • 7 Stakes, 1600m: Group Two
  • Five Diamonds, 1800m: Group Three
  • Silver Eagle, 1300m: Listed
  • The Hunter, 1300m: Listed

Upgrades

  • Concorde Stakes, 1000m: Group Three to Group Two
  • Kingston Town Stakes, 2000m: Group Three to Group Two
  • City Tattersall’s Lightning Stakes, 1200m: Group Three to Group Two
  • Craven Plate, 1800m: Group Three to Group Two
  • Spring Preview, 1000m: Listed to Group Three
  • Chautauqua Stakes, 1200m: Listed to Group Three
  • Poseidon Stakes, 1100m: Listed to Group Three
  • Cap d’Antibes Stakes, 1100m: Listed to Group Three
  • Heritage Stakes, 1100m: Listed to Group Three
  • Reginald Allen Quality, 1400m: Listed to Group Three
  • Starstruck Classic, 1600m: Listed to Group Three

Considered for upgrade but unchanged

  • The Shorts: remains Group Two
  • Toy Show Quality: remains Group Three
  • San Domenico Stakes: remains Group Three
  • The Gold Rush: remains Group Three
  • W. H. Wylie Handicap: remains Listed
  • Dulcify Stakes: remains Listed
  • Burgess Queen Stakes: remains Listed
  • Christmas Cup: remains Listed
  • R. S. Crawford Stakes: remains Listed after failing to meet the upgrade criteria due to a distance change

Downgrade

  • Stan Fox Stakes, 1600m: Group Two to Group Three

Considered for downgrade but unchanged

  • The Metropolitan: remains Group One
  • Railway Stakes: remains Group One
  • Victoria Derby: remains Group One

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