Australia’s racing war over as ‘common sense’ call on $20 million Everest prevails

Racing Victoria’s new CEO Aaron Morrison is wasting no time in repairing his organisation’s horribly damaged relationship with Racing NSW.

And as the olive branch is extended, it is now certain that The Everest will finally be given Group 1 status.

Morrison has made it clear that on the top of his ‘things to do list’ is to give The Everest and the All-Star Mile the recognition they deserve.

“Peter (NSW Racing chair Peter V’landys) and I have actually established quite a good relationship over the last couple of weeks and months,” Morrison told RSN radio station.

“We’ve absolutely improved that relationship and we’re working together on a number of important things at a national level.

“We need to recognise that there are races that need to be given their proper status and we want to be able get on with restoring a proper pattern of racing again.

“It would be fair to say (The Everest) certainly meets the criteria for a Group 1 race, just as something like the All Star Mile would.

“There’s got to be some give and take and some common sense ... that race probably does deserve Group 1 status as does the All-Star Mile and there will be some other changes.

“(After that) we should get on with life again and work around that.”

Morrison was officially unveiled as Racing Victoria’s boss on Tuesday (August 20).

Racing Australia’s Pattern Committee makes decisions on the status of races but Racing NSW and Racing Victoria have the power to block any proposals. ... and, suffice to say, Victoria has previously blocked The Everest.

The argument against The Everest’s elevation to Group 1 status has been based around the fact that the starting 12 ‘slots’ have owners and those slots can be leased out.

It was reported last year that one slot was leased out for $1.1 million.

The $20 million prize money now makes The Everest the richest turf race in the world.

It is also one the biggest wagered races in New South Wales.

While most experts agree The Everest should be a Group 1, there is also concern that the status has been cheapened by the sheer number of them in Australia.

Channel 7’s legendary caller Bruce McAvaney said he believed 74 Group 1 races in Australia was far too many.

But he said “petty politics” was the only thing in the way of stopping The Everest and the All-Star Mile from being elevated.

“Hopefully that sorts itself out ... but I do feel there is an excessive amount of Group 1s,” McAvaney told Racing HQ.

“I feel like we have certain races that are carbon copy of other races that are a week apart and they’re both Group 1 races.

“And I think we have Group 1s that start too soon in the season.”

Morrison admitted the damaged relationship between NSW and Victoria had “been to the detriment of racing nationally”.

“I’ve recognised the importance of investing in that relationship and Peter is very receptive to that, embraced the opportunity equally with Tim Eddy (Racing Victoria chair),” he said.

“We’ve had a number of conversations about how we can move past some of our previous issues for the betterment of racing nationally in Australia.”

Morrison is also making plans to immediately revamp RV’s media arm.

The Everest will be run on Saturday, October 19, and fans can watch the race live and free across the screens of Seven.