The newly formed Western Australian Pattern Committee has decided that the Group II Perth Cup and Group III WA Oaks will remain at 2400m.
Distance changes had been mooted for both races, specifically, the Perth Cup back to its original 3200m journey and the WA Oaks to be reduced to 2200m.
But at the inaugural meeting of the WAPC on Tuesday, which involved participants from all corners of the industry, it was concluded that the races stay at 2400m.
The Perth Cup, one of Western Australia's oldest races, was cut to 2400m in 2009 after being held over two miles for more than 120 years.
"The TABtouch-Perth Cup is Western Australia's most iconic thoroughbred race so, naturally, there's been considerable public interest in Perth Racing, through RWWA, asking the industry for its views about the event's distance," Professor John Yovich AM, managing director of Perth Racing, said.
"Perth Racing's position throughout the consultation process was that there had to be widespread industry support for the TABtouch-Perth Cup to revert to 3200m.
"That level of support wasn't there and that's why the WAPC, on which Perth Racing sits, resolved to keep the race at 2400m.
"Similarly, the WAPC felt there was insufficient support to warrant any amendments to the fillies' program for the coming season, although the distances of the Kirin Megumi-WA Oaks and its supporting races in the autumn months are something it will review on an ongoing basis."
The Perth Cup will have one change however, with the $500,000 event reverting to the New Year's Day slot.
"There'll be no better place to be on Monday 1 January 2018 than Ascot Racecourse watching the 132nd TABtouch-Perth Cup," Yovich said.
