Graeme Hawkins suggests that there is ‘International Precedent’
Gold Circle has announced that the Betting World Derby and the Betting World Oaks will henceforth be open to all ages at weight-for-age terms.
“With the main focus of the three year olds during Champions Season being the KRA Guineas’, The Daily News 2000, the Woolavington Stakes and obviously the Vodacom Durban July, the Derby and Oaks have been downgraded over the years and have struggled to find a consistent place in the programme,” said Racing and Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins.
“There is International precedent, such as the Irish St Leger and the Yorkshire Oaks, to vary the terms and conditions of some of the “traditional” Classics and we are of the firm view that the quality and depth of both races will be enhanced by throwing them open to all ages,” said Hawkins.
“In addition, there are no weight-for-age races in South Africa over the distance and the overall programme for stayers will benefit from the change. The Graded Races sub-committee had no reservations about endorsing the move,” he added.
The R400 000 Betting World Derby and R300 000 Betting World Oaks will be run over 2500m at Clairwood on Sunday, 15 June 2014
