The Australian Turf Club have announced a date change for the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), meaning it will now take place on the same day as the Caulfield Guineas.

It's A Dundeel winning last year's Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart.

Formerly held on Epsom Handicap day, the three-year-old race has been moved back a week and will now run as the major feature on October 12 at Randwick.

The ATC said the change was implemented to allow horses to progress from the Group 1 Golden Rose, which takes place four weeks earlier.

It means that horses have a better chance of tackling the two Group 1s, allowing a bridging run two weeks in between.

Rosehill’s meeting on September 28 hosts possible Spring Champion lead-ups with the Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) and the Gloaming Stakes (1800m).

Some have questioned the clash with the Caulfield Guineas, but the last horse to run in both was in 2001, suggesting the move will have little to no impact on the Melbourne feature.