Winterbottom Promoted, WA Derby Demoted

The Australian Pattern Committee met in Sydney today and recommended to the Australian Racing Board the following changes to the Western Australian Pattern:

  • Upgrade of Burswood Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) to group one status;
  • Downgrade of WATC Derby (2400m) to group two status;

Representing Western Australia on the Australian Pattern Committee, RWWA Manager Thoroughbred Racing David Hunter, said "Although it is disappointing for Western Australia to lose group one status on the WATC Derby, it has become obvious the race has failed to consistently perform to group one standard in recent years. The Western Australian breeding industry has produced some of the world’s leading sprinters in recent years and it is pleasing connections will now have an opportunity to compete in a group one sprint event in their home state with the newly elevated Winterbottom Stakes."

The elevation of the Winterbottom Stakes to group one status further strengthens the ‘Super Saturday’ race meeting to be run at Ascot on 19 November 2011.

The meeting will now feature two group one events, a group two and three listed races on the ten race programme.

Following downgrade of the WATC Derby to group two status, RWWA and Perth Racing has undertaken a realignment of prize money for three-years-old feature events.

Prize money for the 2011 running of the WA Guineas will be increased by $100,000 to $350,000 and the WA Champion Fillies Stakes by $25,000 to $250,000.

Prize money for the 2012 running of the WATC Derby, as group two event, will be reduced to $400,000.