Most notably, the two-mile Auckland Cup has been downgraded from Group One to Group Two level, which leaves the Melbourne Cup and Sydney Cup as the only 3200m Group One races in Australasia.

The Pattern Committee recommended that the race keep its prizemoney ($500,000), that it revert to being a handicap and that it be given “Heritage 1” status in the event that New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing supports a heritage handicap structure.

The Auckland Cup, which was won by Ocean Billy last season, beating Charles Road and Sound, has been run at set weights and penalties in recent years.

Also downgraded are the Easter Handicap (1600m) from Group Two to Group Three and the Rotorua Cup (2200m) from Group Three to Listed.

A full link to the  Pattern Committee report can be found here: 

https://mcusercontent.com/7b0bb264f7aa593e722b31c9e/files/3178b493-9734-7f0d-81f3-e9a55f406561/Report_of_the_NZPC_2021.pdf