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The Australian Group & Listed Races Advisory Group has conducted its annual meeting & decided there was “no justification for the total number of Black Type races in Australia to be increased or decreased from the current 540-550 range.” The Group restated its position that it would “continue to use the international pyramid system where 12% of all Black Type races are at Gr1 level, 15% are at Gr2 level, 19% are at Gr3 level & 54% are Listed races.” However it also reported that:

• The Group “wishes to utilise race classifications provided by the Australian handicappers to assist in their deliberations, but is of the view that it will be several more years & that there will need to be a few structural changes in the methodology before the classifications can be appropriately used.”

• The Group “closely analysed the structure of metropolitan racing in Australia (in terms of the various age, sex & distance categories) & noted, for example, the changing emphasis towards distaff races & shorter distances & away from 2YO races & races of extended distances.”

• The Group then “analysed the current structure of the Australian Black Type races listings in a similar way & established there was little correlation between the metropolitan racing structure & the Black Type races structure; in other words, the changing metropolitan race structure is not reflected in the Black Type listings.”

• The Group will “recommend to the Australian Racing Board that the entire Black Type listings be revised to reflect more accurately the overall race structure. This revision would have the potential to downgrade in status some races that have an iconic nature & to elevate some races that have increased in standard and stature in recent years.”

• The Group has “established a timetable to undertake the revision, so that the recommended new listings will be in place for the 2004-2005 racing season.”

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