An Asian Pattern Committee meeting will consider a Racing NSW application to have three spring races and an autumn feature upgraded to Group 1 status, The Straight understands.
Delegates are due to meet on Thursday night where the elevation of the spring’s Golden Eagle (1500m), the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m), the Russell Balding (1300m) as well as the autumn’s Apollo Stakes (1400m) promises to be the most contentious topic on the agenda.
If approved by the Asian Pattern Committee, it would mean that the Sydney spring carnival would have three Group 1 sprint races in six weeks, starting with the Premiere Stakes on October 4 as a lead-in to The Everest and culminating in the Russell Balding, run on the same card as the Golden Eagle.
It would effectively amount to a Sydney sprinting Triple Crown.
International authorities granted Group 1 status to The Everest and Victoria’s All-Star Mile last year after concerted lobbying from Racing NSW and Racing Victoria.
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