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Meanwhile, New Zealand's Pattern Committee (NZPC) has reacted to a possible downgrade of the Gr1 Levin Classic (1600m) status by returning the event to its previous midsummer slot which will see it run at Trentham on January 13. According to loveracing.nz, both last year and this year's renewals of the 3YO feature were staged on New Zealand Oaks Day in March. "This race has struggled in recent years due to the impact of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in its former January slot," the report said. "It was hoped that the move to March would attract the top 3YOs that were not aimed at the Derby (2400m) or Oaks (2400m), but they tended to be aimed at Australian targets instead. As an alternative to being downgraded, the NZPC offered a return to the former January date. The APC (Asian Pattern Committee) unanimously voted that the race remain at Group 1 status under a warning, subject to returning to its former January date. A further failure to meet the tolerance threshold would very likely see the race being downgraded." In a direct swap with the Levin Classic, the Gr2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) has been moved from January to March. To act as a better lead-in to the Levin Classic, the Gr2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) will switch from New Year's Day to Boxing Day and will be run over 1400m.
