'It's cataclysmic what could happen - we could be decimated' - doomsday scenario feared in Australia after race upgrades scandal

There are fears in Australian racing that the country’s best contests will only be recognised internationally as Listed events if controversial black-type upgrades to as many as 87 races are sanctioned by Racing Australia.

Australia could be demoted to book 2 status by the international stud book if going ahead with upgrades without approval from the Asian Pattern Committee, the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (Sita) and the powerful International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (Irpac).

Plans for up to 87 upgrades have been put in doubt following industry backlash, with internationally renowned trainer Gai Waterhouse among many critical of the move and sales house Magic Millions adding its voice to concerns on preserving the integrity of the Pattern system.

The overall degradation of Australia’s top races is a doomsday scenario but one that has affected Singapore and continues to be the case in Malaysia.

“I imagine there’ll be one threat and it’ll come within 12 months from Irpac,” said one well-placed source with knowledge of international guidelines. “And they’ll say, ‘You need to fix this very fast or we’re going to put you in book 2’.

“And you don’t mess with this committee. They are God to the racing and breeding authorities of the world, and you upset them at your peril.

“This is already a mess but it could get way worse. If Irpac warns Racing Australia and they do nothing, and then in two years we’re downgraded to book 2, our industry would be decimated.

“There’ll be billions of dollars lost on investment as people will pull out and turn their backs. Northern hemisphere farms won’t want to shuttle stallions to Australia. Overseas stars won’t come here for the Cox Plate or Melbourne Cup. It’s cataclysmic what could happen, and so many people would be affected.”

Arion, the southern hemisphere’s largest pedigree provider, has said it would not recognise the mooted Group 1 status for The Everest and the All Star Mile until the move received official international ratification.

Gai Waterhouse: "Pattern races have to be created by the international pattern committees"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Waterhouse, who shares a licence with Adrian Bott, was successful in the Listed Tapp-Craig with Anode at Rosehill on Saturday; the win was marked as a Listed success by Racing Australia but not earning such status with Arion.

Waterhouse said: “Of course I’m disappointed Anode loses his black-type winner status, notwithstanding he won a A$500,000 race last Saturday. But, as I always say ‘you must go through the front door’. We [Australia] didn’t.

“Pattern races have to be created by the international pattern committees. Australia didn’t submit their proposal to the APC.”

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