Some of Sydney's key autumn handicaps will have a greater spread of weights this year, with Racing NSW reducing the minimum weight for four Group 1 events.
The G1 Doncaster Mile and the G1 Sydney Cup, contested during The Championships at Randwick in April, will have minimum weights of 50 kilograms (110 pounds) for older horses and 49 kilograms (108 pounds) for 3-year-olds, while the Mar. 12 G1 Coolmore Classic and Mar. 19 G1 The Galaxy H. will have minimum weights of 51 kilograms (112 pounds) for older horses and 50 kilograms for 3-year-olds.
“Racing NSW supports a greater spread of weights and the more open racing that flows from that,” said Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Peter V'landys. “Our feature Group 1 handicap weights have been compressed on occasions when a number of horses haven't been accepted for by trainers after nominating. There is a large number of 3-year-olds entered for this year's The Star Doncaster Mile that will be weighted on 49 kilograms. The reduction in minimum weight encourages them to run and also gives a return to at least a nine kilo weight spread. This new minimum weight will further enhance what is already one of Australia's great handicap events.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
