3 minute read
Racing SA has announced an extension of the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival with a change of date for the Australasian Oaks creating an additional Group 1 feature race day which will kick off an enhanced four-day racing program.
The Carnival, which takes place at Morphettville each year traditionally across three consecutive Saturdays in May, is highlighted by four Group 1 races. These include the Australasian Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and the Robert Sangster Stakes for fillies and mares on day one, followed by the South Australian Derby for the best 3-year-old stayers and culminating with the Goodwood sprint on the final day.
The change of date for the Australasian Oaks from the first Saturday in May – the same Saturday as the Robert Sangster Stakes – to one week prior will allow each Group 1 race of the Carnival to have a stand-alone feature day.
Racing SA CEO Nick Redin said the change had been made following consultation with industry stakeholders who had shown strong support for the improved program.
"Despite being held under unique COVID-19 conditions, our recent Autumn Carnivals have been a great success and we're excited to be able to extend the Carnival in 2022 to include an additional feature race day which is sure to be enjoyed by industry participants, punters and social racegoers alike," Redin said.
"The feeling was the historical scheduling didn't give the Australasian Oaks the credit it is due, with the Robert Sangster being the main race on what has traditionally been day one of the Carnival.
"What should really be Robert Sangster Day has previously been promoted as Oaks Day so the shift will not only give more promotion to the Oaks but also to the Sangster as our unique race.
"The change will also provide two weeks between the Oaks and the Derby which is more conducive to fillies backing up from one to the other.
"The revamp is focused on continuing to create opportunities for participants, increase customer engagement and grow wagering returns to the industry.
"It's ultimately about delivering a set of race dates that ensure we continue to deliver quality racing in SA, especially across our peak periods."
South Australian Jockey Club CEO Grant Mayer said the change was exciting.
"It's great to see the best racing in SA will be extended by a week so that we will have four weekends of premier racing across the Autumn," Mayer said.
"It makes sense to have our four Group 1 races hosted on separate weekends."
The Australasian Oaks will shift to the following dates for the next 5 years:
- Australasian Oaks 2022 - 30 April 2022
- Australasian Oaks 2023 - 29 April 2023
- Australasian Oaks 2024 - 27 April 2024
- Australasian Oaks 2025 - 26 April 2025
- Australasian Oaks 2026 - 25 April 2026
The Autumn Carnival is preceded by several local and interstate lead-up races including the Clare Lindop Stakes and the Auraria Stakes, with some changes required to South Australian race dates to ensure the optimum schedule across the coming years.
The changes for 2022 are outlined below:
