The Australian Pattern Committee has upgraded three Australian races to Group 1 level.

The Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, Moir Stakes (1200m) at Mooney Valley and Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens will now be run at Group 1 level.

The last three Memsies have been won by G1 gallopers Sincero, King’s Rose and So You Think.  The Moir roll-call includes Black Caviar (2) and Apache Cat) since 2009.  And the most recent Canterbury Stakes winners have been More Joyous (2) and Hot Danish.

“They all clearly exceeded the benchmarks set for Group 1 races and thoroughly deserve elevation,” APC chairman Alan Brown said.  “The Memsie has been on average the highest rated Group 2 race in Australia and the Moir the second.  The Canterbury Stakes was the highest ranking Group 2 race in Australia last year and rated higher than the Doomben 10,000, the only other Group 1 race in Australia over a similar distance.”

The three races will all carry a minimum of $350,000 from their next running, and brings Australia’s total to 71 Group 1 races.  The USA with 112 Group 1 races is the only other nation with more elite level events.

The APC will consider applications for upgrading of the Makybe Diva Stakes, Apollo Stakes and Schillaci Stakes at its meeting in December.