The Illawarra Turf Club's Sensational Sunday race meeting is set for a boost, with the feature race elevated from Listed status to Group Three for 2010.The Keith F Nolan Classic, run over 1600m for three-year-old fillies, is the flagship of the club's biggest race day of the year and elevation to group status will lift the profile of the March 21 meeting.Illawarra Turf Club racing manager Michael Craig said the Australian Pattern Committee recommended the Classic be upgraded, with the decision expected to be ratified by the Australian Racing Board this week."It'll be a very positive step for the club and great news for owners and trainers with horses looking to nominate for the race. "Fillies and mares with black type (stud book recognition) against their name are extremely valuable and winning or placing at Group Three makes it even more important. "The breeding and selling side of the industry is big business and this elevation in status is welcomed by the club. The Keith F Nolan Classic has been black type since 2003 and the APC believes it is becoming an even more important race on the NSW racing calendar," Craig said.The Classic carried $150,000 prizemoney this year and Craig said six of the runners had gone on to win or place at group level - including outstanding filly Purple, which won the Arrowfield Stud Stakes held in Sydney and the QTC Oaks in Brisbane.Past winners were Coco Cobanna, Betrille, Floria, Ain't Seen Nothin', La Nikita, Ponte Piccolo, Pasikatera and Hot Danish. In 2008, Heavenly Glow was third behind Bernicia and Raise before going on to win the Arrowfield and the AJC Australian Oaks.With Group Three status achieved, Craig believes the Classic will also be a much more attractive proposition for the top sprinting fillies emerging from the AJC Surround Stakes, which is run a fortnight earlier."Our race is becoming a key part of the preparation for horses going on to some of the lucrative Sydney races like the Arrowfield and Oaks," Craig said.