Australian Racing Board Issues Paper - The future of staying races in Australian Racing
OVERVIEW
The perceived decline in staying races as a feature of Australian racing is an issue that has generated a material level of comment in recent years.
This paper provides a preliminary overview of the current status of staying races within Australia and nominates some of the potentially relevant influences on this category of racing.
The intention of this paper is to generate industry discussion which can assist in the formulation of future strategies on either a state or national scale.
EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF STAYING RACES IN AUSTRALIA
This paper has been prompted by concerns expressed from within some quarters of the industry about the future of staying races in Australia. Concerns raised include:
o Lack of quality and depth in the Australian staying population.
o Insufficient opportunities for the racing of staying horses.
o Insufficient incentives for owning a stayer.
o Australian breeding sector is focusing on speed.
o Australia is becoming predominantly a sprint racing nation.
It is useful to note that Australia is not alone in this respect with some of these concerns also having been voiced in other countries.
Figures below illustrate the current level of staying racing in Australia.
2005/06 Season Actual %
Total Races 19,821
Total Starters 194,463
Races below 2200m 19,313 97.4%
Starters below 2200m 189,265 97.3%
Races 2200m & above 508 2.6%
Starters 2200m & above 5198 2.67%
It can be seen that at 2.6% of total races run, staying races are almost a niche feature of Australian Racing.
Set out below are statistics that show the structure of staying races internationally.
Country Total Races % G&L Races G&L Races %
Races 2200m+ 2200m+
Australia 19821 508 2.6% 542 64 11.8%
Britain 5554 365 6.6% 286 26 9.1%
France 4582 1808 39.5% 233 56 24.0%
Ireland 2270 499 22.0% 102 14 13.7%
NZ 2723 117 4.3% 148 21 14.2%
US 51491 158 0.3% 1965 56 2.8%
Japan 16854 194 1.2% 217 32 14.7%
Japan (JRA) 3320 177 5.3% 180 29 16.1%
Japan (NAR) 13534 17 0.1% 37 3 8.1%
Key Points
o Australia runs more staying races in total than Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, United States and Japan
o Only France runs more staying races than Australia
o As a percentage of races run Australia lags behind France (39.5%), Ireland (22%), Britain (6.6%), NZ (4.3%) and the JRA (5.3%)
o The percentage of Black Type staying races Australia runs is out of proportion to the amount of races it runs (2.6% v 11.8%)
o Britain, France and Ireland run far fewer Black Type staying races as a percentage of their total staying races
o If Australia wants to produce world class stayers like those produced in the UK, Ireland and France, more staying opportunities need to be programmed
Perhaps of greater relevant to the current status of staying races is to examine the historical trends. These are revealing over the 12 year period 94/95 to 05/06:
o the total number of 2200m + races in Australia has increased from 476 to 508.
o the number of 2200m + races as a percentage of all races run in Australia has increased from 2.04 % to 2.56 %.
o after a sharp dip, which bottomed out in 99/00, the total number of starters in 2200m + races was in 05/06 at the same level as in 94/95.
o the number of starters in 2200m + races as a percentage of all starters has increased from 2.33 % to 2.67 %.
o the total number of 2700m + races has increased from 20 in 94/95 to 38 in 05/06.
o the average runners in 2700m + races has dipped from 13.05 % in 94/95 to 10.95 % in 05/06.
o 2200m + races as a percentage of total races run in each state has increased in NSW, Victoria and Queensland while decreasing slightly in South Australia and Western Australia.
o 2200m + metropolitan races constituted 5.4 % of 2200m + races in 94/95 and by 05/06 represented 5.2 % of the total amount of races run.
o 2200m + non-metro races constituted 1.2 % of 2200m + races in 94/95 and by 05/06 represented 1.8 % of the total amount of races run.
Therefore, races in the 2200m + category have actually increased as a proportion of the total number of races run. (This is against background of an overall contraction in the total number of races in Australia.)
In these circumstances, it is not immediately apparent why concerns about the future of staying races have such currency.
Why therefore do these concerns exist?
o Is 1994/95 – 05/06 too short a period to identify the relevant trends?
o Is the fact that less than 3% of Australian races are 2200m + at the heart of the concerns that have been expressed rather than recent changes?
o Are concerns about opportunities for the racing of staying horses the product of the programming grid rather than the number of such races programmed i.e sufficient numbers of races but not positioned optimally?
o Is the issue one of perceptions rather than facts?
o Is there some other reason for these concerns?
BLACK TYPE AND STAYING RACES
Decisions by the Australian Pattern Committee in June 2006 to demote the Adelaide and Brisbane Cups from Group 1 to Group 2 status generated some attention to whether changes to the Black Type Listings are contributing to a weakening in Australia’s staying races.
The role of the Australian Pattern Committee is predominantly (though not exclusively) reactive and so it might be strongly argued that changes such as the downgrading of the Adelaide and Brisbane Cups is both a measure of, and a consequence of, the relative strength of this category of racing.
It is also relevant to note that the APC has signalled that it is mindful of ensuring adequate opportunities for staying horses in the long and extended race distance categories, and in February 2007 reaffirmed a 20% surplus variance in Black Type opportunities matched against current metropolitan race programming opportunities in these distance categories.
The Chairman of the APC has noted that while there have been changes in the classification of several staying races the quantum of Black Type opportunities from Group 1 through to Listed has remained largely unchanged. Currently, 35% of all races in the metropolitan profile of long and extended distance categories are afforded Black Type status. (This relates to metropolitan open age races.)
Considerations that one may have in regard to this context are:
· Total percentage of races is only one statistic. In considering race opportunities at 2200m+ one could arguably exclude all 2yo races as obviously no races are programmed for 2yos over distances in the L&E categories.
· In the 3yo categories, there are currently 17 metro based races programmed around Australia at 2200m+, with 16 of them currently enjoying Black Type and 8 at Group 1 level. The question is legitimately raised is this credible or sustainable?
· If one includes intermediate range 3yo races we have a further 33 races run of which 17 currently are black type of some description. The combination of all races beyond 1800m for 3yo’s totals 50 Races with 33 carrying Black Type.
· In the metropolitan open category 13% of races programmed are 2200m+ (about 1 on each metro program) yet just over 17% of the total Open Age Black Type is applied to the L&E categories. Looked at it in this light black type as a percentage of L&E races programmed is about 35% (65 of 185 races in 05/06 season).
· In the 2005/06 season 2200m+ races made up 2.56% of the total number of races, however 2200m+ races represent 11.8% of Black Type races under the Group and Listed structure. It may also be noted that in 2007 the Brisbane Cup will be reduced in distance from 3200 metres to 2400 metres.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IMPACTING PROGRAMMING OF STAYING RACES
(i) Public interest in distance champions
A view that is sometimes expressed is that retaining and expanding Australian Racing’s fan base is assisted by the development of “Champion” horses with extended racing careers. On this view, the longer that a horse races the greater the opportunity for fans to become familiar with them and follow their careers.
Of course, Australia has produced many champions that are not stayers, but even so MAKYBE DIVA, MIGHT AND POWER, KINGSTON TOWN, PHAR LAP, SAINTLY are household names that have done a great deal for racing’s public appeal.
If a decline occurs in the depth and quality of Australian stayers then what are the ramifications of this for the broader public appeal of Australian Racing?
(ii) Impact of lack of depth and quality of Australian stayers on racing carnivals
Staying races were historically a pillar of each racing carnival, with “Cup Day” public holidays still existing in several States and Territories. Indeed, in several States staying races continue to have this central importance, with the 3200m Melbourne Cup the undisputed jewel in the crown of Australian Racing.
If the quality and depth in the Australian population of stayers declines then does this have ramifications for our feature racing events?
(iii) Wagering interest in staying races -
One of the most relevant considerations associated with this issue is: what does the industry want?
Some limited anecdotal evidence suggests that staying races are unpopular with punters; so as to form a conclusive view on this matter the NRPC are currently preparing a review of wagering on staying races in comparison to races of shorter distances. This analysis will be used in further deliberations regarding the future of staying races in Australia.
MEASURES FOR ENHANCING STAYING RACING IN AUSTRALIA
(i) Current Initiatives
Each State in Australia have progressed initiatives to encourage owners and trainers to compete in staying races. Some of the initiatives include:
- NSW Provincial Stayers Challenge
- Extension of WA Westspeed bonus for 4YO’s over 1800m or further
- WA Stayers Series to be introduced in 2007/2008
- Australia’s Longest Race - 3600 metres at Oakbank on 7 April 2007
- Going the Distance Series - restricted Stayers Series in South Australia culminating in a $25,000 Class 5 Final
- Extension of SuperVOBIS Stayers Bonus to all ages
- Feature $100,000 races @ VRC Meetings for races 2500m or further
- Summer Showcase Stayers Series in Country Victoria with a final worth $75,000 over 2400m
- BOBs investigating extending bonus to staying races.
(ii) Australian Stayers Challenge
The Australian Stayers Challenge (ASC) consists of Australia’s 34 premier Black Type staying events for older horses over a minimum distance of 2300m and features races across the country that culminate with the SAAB Quality at Flemington’s AAMI Victoria Derby Day. The series has been developed with the full support of the Victoria Racing Club to increase the profile of long distance racing in Australia, encourage the breeding of staying horses and provide an incentive for race clubs to offer staying races that can be included in the Challenge.
The ASC awards points to horses finishing in the first three places in group races and the winner listed races. The points have been weighted to recognize the superior quality of higher class races, with 120 points for a Group 1 win; 90 points for Group 2; 60 points for Group 3 and 30 points for Listed wins. The horse that earns the most points throughout the Challenge is rewarded with a coveted exemption for the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
To enhance the concept the Australian Racing Board has approved funding for a special trophy to be commissioned which will be awarded to the owner of each year’s Stayers Challenge winner. A presentation in respect of the 2006 winner, Tawqeet, will be made at the Racing Hall of Fame event in Sydney later this year.
A marketing and communication strategy is being formulated to lift the profile of the Challenge through the media and industry participants.
(iii) Black Type
As has been noted above, the Australian Pattern Committee’s work is predominantly reactive: Black Type is awarded according to the current quality of races, not their past importance or future potential.
This said, the argument that the Black Type Listings do have something of a determinative effect on the extent and quality of staying racing also has some merit.
Race clubs avidly seek Black Type on their race cards, and breeders are equally keen to have Black Type placed next to their sales catalogue entries. It would seem to follow that if staying races continue to disappear from the Black Type Listings, then this will be a negative influence on the extent to staying races programmed by race clubs, and on the depth of quality of Australia’s staying population.
PROGRAMMING
As previously outlined the number of distance races as a percentage of total races has remained constant and increased in some states over the past 12 years.
This may indicate that adequate numbers of distance races are being programmed but that programming decisions (e.g. co-ordination of distance races between race clubs and between States) is not optimal.
It is also worth noting that 76% of all races run in Australia are conducted at non-metropolitan race meetings, yet 1.8% of these non-metropolitan races are 2200m + compared with 5.4% of all metropolitan races being conducted in the 2200m + category.
Is it possible that if a greater number of non-metropolitan races were 2200m + then this would provide a platform for potential stayers?
In this regard, it will be particularly helpful to receive comments from trainers and owners.
COMMENT
You are invited to comment on the issues raised in this paper. Comments can be provided to Jake Howard - email: racingassist@australian-racing.net.au, phone number: 02 9551 7700, postal address: Level 7, 51 Druitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000.