The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) wishes to advise of recent decisions regarding the black type status of races run in Australia between January and July 2026, effective for the 2026/27 racing season.
At its meeting on 3 September 2026, the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) considered Racing Australia’s (RA) application, and made provisional decisions, in respect of the black type status of 35 races for the 2026/27 racing season. RA was then informed of the APC’s provisional decisions and was invited to make comments on them before they were finalised and submitted to the ARF Executive Council for approval. On 17 September 2026, RA informed the APC that it had accepted all provisional decisions made by the APC. Following RA’s confirmation of acceptance, the APC finalised and submitted its recommendations to the ARF Executive Council, which have now been considered and approved by the ARF Executive Council.
The full set of the APC’s final decisions are set out below. These decisions have also been reported by the ARF to the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which is responsible for subsequently reporting any significant decisions to the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers, prior to publication in the International Cataloguing Standards Book 2027.
The full liust of changes is below:
Upgrades
The following races will be upgraded in 2026/27:
Apollo Stakes (3yo+, 1400m) Upgrade to Group 1
Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (2yo C&G, 1100m) Upgrade to Group 2
Fred Best Classic (3yo, 1400m) Upgrade to Group 2
Desirable Stakes (3yo F, 1400m) Upgrade to Group 3
Talindert Stakes (2yo, 1100m) Upgrade to Group 3
Darby Munro Stakes (3yo, 1200m) Upgrade to Group 3
Moomba Plate (3yo, 1100m) Upgrade to Group 3
Fernhill Handicap (2yo, 1600m) Upgrade to Group 3
Gold Coast Bracelet (3yo F, 1800m) Upgrade to Group 3
Juanmo Stakes (3yo+ F&M, 1200m) Upgrade to Group 3
The following races were considered for upgrade by the APC but will remain at their current status in 2026/27:
Eskimo Prince Stakes (3yo, 1200m) Remains Group 3
Sky High Stakes (3yo+, 2000m) Remains Group 3
Fireball Quality (3yo, 1100m) Remains Listed
Randwick City Stakes (3yo+, 2000m) Remains Listed
Dalrello Stakes (2yo, 1000m) Remains Listed
Lord Mayor's Cup (3yo+, 2000m) Remains Listed
Additions
The following races have been granted black type status in 2026/27:
The Quokka (2yo+, 1200m) Group 2
Magic Millions The Buffering (3yo+, 1400m) Group 3
Magic Millions Pierata Plate (3yo C&G, 1200m) Listed
TAB Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate (3yo, 1100m) Listed
Marjorie Charleson Classic (2yo+ F&M, 1200m) Listed
The Joey (2yo+, 1200m) Listed
The following races have been granted black type status in 2026/27 but at a lower level than requested:
Rock Magic Stakes (2yo+, 1000m) Listed
Magic Millions National Classic (3yo+ F&M, 1600m) Listed
The following races were considered by the APC but will remain without black type status in 2026/27:
The Coast (3&4yo, 1600m)
3yo Plate (3yo, 1350m)
Seven Darby McCarthy OAM QTIS 3YO (3yo, 1110m)
Schweppes T L Cooney (3yo, 1350m)
Downgrades
The following races will be downgraded in 2026/27:
Adelaide Cup (3yo+, 3200m) Group 2 to Group 3
ATC Chairman’s Handicap (3yo+, 2600m) Group 2 to Group 3
WATC Derby (3yo, 2400m) Group 2 to Group 3
Brisbane Cup (2yo+, 3200m) Group 2 to Group 3
Launceston Cup (3yo+, 2400m) Group 3 to Listed
The following races were considered by the APC for downgrade but will remain at their current status in 2026/27:
Sydney Cup (3yo+, 3200m) Remains Group 1
Queensland Derby (3yo, 2400m) Remains Group 1
