Sydney spring given a facelift with a race back from the dead, more prizemoney and date changes
Clinton Payne – 06 Jul 2017
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club has announced what they describe as “major improvements” to the upcoming Sydney spring carnival.
More than $22.5 million will be offered in prizemoney during meetings from September 9 until October 14 with four straight Saturdays of Group I racing with the carnival going out on a high when the inaugural $10m The Everest is run.
In addition to the race date changes and increased prizemoney the ATC St Leger is back on the calendar after being last run in 2001.
The race will be run under set weights and penalties conditions over 2600m at Randwick, offering $500,000 in prizemoney on The Everest card on October 14. The ATC St Leger is a natural progression from the Group I Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) on September 30.
“Saturday October 14 will be an historic event for thoroughbred racing in Australia and will reinforce Sydney’s position as a leading global event city,” Racing NSW Chairman Russell Balding AO said.
“The Everest is creating unprecedented interest both inside and outside racing, from within Australia and internationally. It is timely to modernise and strengthen the racing program during the spring in Sydney.”
ATC Chairman, Laurie Macri added; “The Sydney Spring Carnival continues to deliver racing of the highest quality and these program improvements will provide enhanced opportunities for connections with horses in sprinting, middle distance and staying categories.
“The revised three-year-old program in particular is very exciting as it presents a more streamlined pathway towards the Group 1 De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose. This also allows a better progression for three-year-old sprinter-milers aimed at feature races in Melbourne later in spring.”
Races during the spring carnival which have received a prizemoney boost are;
| Race | Date | Current Prizemoney | Proposed Prizemoney |
| Listed Rosebud – 3YO Quality 1200m | August 12, 2017 – Rosehill | $125,000 | $150,000 |
| Group II Hill Stakes – WFA 1800m | September 30, 2017 – Randwick | $200,000 | $500,000 |
| Group II Premiere Stakes – WFA 1200m | September 30, 2017 – Randwick | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| City Tatts Lightning – now WFA 1200m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick | $150,000 | $500,000 |
| Group III Craven Plate – WFA 2000m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick | $150,000 | $500,000 |
| ATC St Leger – SWP 2600m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick | N/A | $500,000 |
| Anniversary Highway – 1400m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick | N/A | $200,000 |
Races during the spring carnival that have had a date, distance or conditions changes are;
| Race | New date | Distance or Conditions |
| Listed The Rosebud – 3YO Quality 1100m | August 12, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – August 5, 2017) | N/A |
| Group III San Domenico Stakes – 3YO SWP 1100m | August 26, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – August 12, 2017) | N/A |
| Group III Ming Dynasty Quality – 3YO Quality 1400m | August 26, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – September 2, 2017) | N/A |
| Group II Run to the Rose – 3YO SWP 1200m | September 9, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – August 26, 2017) | N/A |
| Group II Stan Fox Stakes – 3YO SW 1500m | September 9, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – September 23, 2017) | N/A |
| Group II The Shorts – SWP 1100m | September 16, 2017 – Randwick | Changed from Quality to Set weight and Penalties |
| Group III Kingston Town Stakes – SWP 2000m | September 16, 2017 –Randwick (Old date – September 9, 2017) | Changed from Quality to Set weight and Penalties |
| Group I Golden Rose – 3YO SW 1400m | September 23, 2017 – Rosehill (Old date – September 9, 2017) | N/A |
| Group II Hill Stakes – WFA 2000m | September 30, 2017 –Randwick (Old date – September 16, 2017) | Reduced from 2000m to 1800m |
| Group II Roman Consul Stakes – 3YO SW 1200m | October 7, 2017 – Randwick (Old date – September 30, 2017) | N/A |
| Group III Craven Plate – WFA 2000m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick (Old date – September 30, 2017) | N/A |
| Listed City Tatts Lightning – WFA 1200m | Saturday, 14 October 2017 – Randwick (Old date – October 21, 2017) | Distance increased from 1100m to 1200m and revised to WFA |
| Listed Reginald Allen Quality – 3YOF 1400m | October 14, 2017 – Randwick (Old date – September 23, 2017) | N/A |