Winterbottom Stakes Granted Group 1 Status

Western Australia’s Winterbottom Stakes has been officially promoted to Group 1 status by the Australian Pattern Committee.

The decision comes in time for Black Caviar’s expected appearance in this year’s Winterbottom Stakes in November.

However, the good news comes as the committee also recommends that the current Group 1 WATC Derby be downgraded to a Group 2 race.

Western Australia’s representative on the Australian Pattern Committee, David Hunter, admits it is a mixed result for Perth racing.

“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,” Mr Hunter said.

“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.“

Peter Moody has pencilled in the newly Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes as a suitable race for Black Caviar to compete in following her upcoming Melbourne spring onslaught.

The rising five-year-old mare will be using the plane travel as experience ahead of her scheduled Royal Ascot campaign next June.

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