ONE of Tasmania’s most prestigious races for fillies and mares, the Vamos Stakes, has been upgraded to Group 3 status and incurred a stakes increase to $125,000.
Tasracing CEO Eliot Forbes said he welcomed the Australian Pattern Committee’s (AusPC) decision to approve the upgrade from listed status to Group 3 at its August meeting.
Dr Forbes said the Vamos Stakes was formerly a Listed race but had consistently rated above the benchmark and was more in line with Group 3 level.
The 2014 Vamos Stakes will be run at The TOTE Racing Centre at Mowbray under lights on 19 February.
The last five Vamos Stakes have been won by Tasmanian-trained horses – Lady Lynette in 2009, 2011 and 2012, I’m a Hussy in 2010 and Beautiful Buns in 2013.
Dr Forbes said the Vamos Stakes was an important Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival (TSRC) race and when combined with the Group 3 $150,000 Bow Mistress Trophy, made Tasmania highly attractive to quality mares from around Australia.
“The AusPC decision confirms the overall strength of key TSRC races,” Dr Forbes said.
“The 2013 Hobart Cup achieved its highest ever rating in 2013 of 104 while the 2013 Launceston Cup equaled its highest rating of 103.5 achieved in 2009 when the race was staked at $300,000.
“The performance of both the Hobart and Launceston Cups reaffirms the attractiveness of the $100,000 Tattsbet double bonus alongside the current staking levels of $225,000, which are proving capable of attracting quality fields locally and from interstate.”
The Vamos Stakes had traditionally been run on Launceston Cup day but it was changed last season to a night meeting to coincide with the running of the Tasmanian Oaks.
With its upgrading to Group status the Vamos will be the standout feature on the same program this season.