Classifications of Races
From AusRace
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Basics of Classifying Races in Australia
In Australia, there an NO claiming races. Horses (if placed properly) run in races with the largest prize money they can win, without having to worry about being claimed. A horse with high earnings per start is a good statistic for punters but be careful if a horse won a single major race some time ago (particulary early in career).
Restricted Races
The following races are run exclusively at METROPOLITAN tracks and are equivalent to condition allowance races in North America:
| Rs0MW Restricted 0 Metro Wins Non-winners of 1 Metro races |
| Rs1MW Restricted 1 Metro Win Non-winners of 2 Metro races |
| Rs2MW Restricted 3 Metro Wins Non-winners of 3 Metro races |
| Rs3MW Restricted 3 Metro Wins Non-winners of 4 Metro races |
| Rs4MW Restricted 4 Metro Wins Non-winners of 5 Metro races |
| Rs5MW Restricted 5 Metro Wins Non-winners of 6 Metro races |
| RS0LY Restricted 0 Met Win-LY Restricted to non-winners of 1 last year |
| RS1LY Restricted 1 Met Win-LY Restricted to non-winners of 2 last year |
| RS2LY Restricted 2 Met Win-LY Restricted to non-winners of 3 last year |
| SpCl1 Special-Cl1 S.A. Restricted to no metro wins in South Australia |
| SpCl2 Special-Cl2 S.A. Restricted to one metro wins in South Australia |
| SpCl3 Special-Cl3 S.A. Restricted to two metro wins in South Australia |
The following races are run at METROPOLITAN, PROVINCIAL and COUNTRY tracks and are equivalent to condition allowance races in North America:
Cls 1 Class 1 Non-winners of 2 races
Cls 2 Class 2 Non-winners of 3 races
Cls 3 Class 3 Non-winners of 4 races
Cls 4 Class 4 Non-winners of 5 races
Cls 5 Class 5 Non-winners of 6 races
Cls 6 Class 6 Non-winners of 7 races
The following races are run only at minor COUNTRY tracks and are equivalent to low level claiming races in North America:
Cls A Class A Not earned $1500 for wins
Cls B Class B Not earned $3000 for wins
Cls C Class C Not earned $4500 for wins
Cls D Class D Not earned $6000 for wins
Open Races/Conditions
| Program Abbreviation | Condition | Definition |
| GR 1 | Group 1 | Highest quality race (Equivalent to U.S. Grade 1) |
| GR 2 | Group 2 | Step below Gr 1 race (Equivalent to US Grade 2) |
| GR 3 | Group 3 | Step below Gr 2 race (Equivalent to US Grade 3) |
| LIST | Listed | Step below a Gr 3 race; open stakes race |
| Hcp | Handicap | Weight assigned by earnings/performance; can be restricted by sex or age |
| Stks | Stakes | Set Weight Race; high quality |
| Inv | Invitation | Invited Horses only |
| Open | Open | No restrictions |
| Qlty | Quality | Contains a Max (60kg) and Minimum (52kg) weight assignment |
| Rest | Restricted | Must meet designated condition to enter (see below) |
| Spec | Special Condition | Restricted by prizemoney or races won |
| Fly | Flying | Open to all horses; equivalent to classified/money allowance race in US |
| Wltr | Welter | Minimum weight assigned |
| FlWlt | Flying Welter | Open to all horses; minimum weight assigned |
| Mares | Mares | Restricted to female horses age 4 and up |
| Mdn | Maiden | Never won a race |
Special Conditions
Btria Barrier trial Exhibition / training race (no prize money)
Hrdle Hurdle Jumps race over lower brush hurdles
Stpl Steeple Jumps race over taller fences
Rhdle Restricted Hurdle Restricted jumps race over lower brush hurdles