Australian Cup Explained

Surface:Turf
Class:Group I
Horse Race:Australian Cup
Location:Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne, Australia
Inaugurated:1863
Sponsor:TAB (2024)
Race Type:Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance:2,000 metres
Track:Left-handed
Qualification:Horses three years old and older
Maidens ineligible
Weight:Weight for Age
Purse:A$3,000,000 (2024)

The Australian Cup is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for horses three years old and older, held under Weight for Age conditions, over a distance of 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia in March during the VRC Autumn Racing Carnival.[1] Total prize money for the race is A$3,000,000.

History

The race was once Australia's premier long distance race, raced at a distance of 18 furlongs (3621m) - thus, longer than the Melbourne Cup. In 1943 the race was shortened to 17 furlongs 110 yards to allow the race to be started from the top of Flemington's famous Straight Six, to have bigger fields.[2]

The VRC in the early 1960s shortened the distance to miles to attract classier middle distance gallopers.[2]

Stakes were increased from $1 million to $1.5 million in 2016.

Distance

Conditions

Grade

Venue

In 2007 the race was run at Caulfield Racecourse due to refurbishment work at Flemington Racecourse.[2]

Records

Makybe Diva won this race in 2005 in the Australian record time of 1:58:73, which beat Northerly's previous record.The most successful trainer has been Bart Cummings with thirteen wins[2]  - 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2008.[3]

The most successful jockey is Tom Hales who won the Australian Cup eight times[4]  - Lurline (1875), Richmond (1876), Savanaka (1879), Navigator (1883), Morpeth (1884), Trident (1887), Carlyon (1888), Dreadnought (1890).[5]

1954 racebook

Winners

† Dead heat
‡ Saladin and Flying Dutchman dead heated. After a re-run they dead heated again. On a second re-run Saladin was victorious.[48] [50]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Winners and Past Results for the Australian Cup . Pro Group Racing Australia. 2014. 3 March 2015.
  2. Web site: The changing face of Australia's Cup . https://archive.today/20130410023354/http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/news/RVL/n_The_changing_face_of_Australias_Cup.aspx . dead . 10 April 2013 . Racing Victoria . 6 March 2012 . 5 March 2013 .
  3. Web site: Bart Cummings - Training Career . Bart Cummings official website . 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130409075314/http://www.bartcummings.com.au/g1.asp . 2013-04-09 .
  4. Web site: Tom Hales . Sport Australia Hall of Fame. 24 September 2020.
  5. Web site: Facts about the Australian Cup. justhorseracing.com. 5 March 2013. Australian Associated Press.
  6. Web site: 2024 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 30 March 2024) . racingpost.com . 30 March 2024.
  7. Web site: 2023 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 25 March 2023). racingpost.com. 25 March 2023.
  8. Web site: 2022 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 12 March 2022). breednet.com.au. 20 March 2022.
  9. Web site: 2021 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 6 March 2021). breednet.com. 6 March 2021.
  10. Web site: 2020 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 7 March 2020). breednet.com. 7 March 2020.
  11. Web site: 2019 Result  - TAB Australian Cup (held 9 March 2019). breednet.com. 10 March 2019.
  12. Web site: 2018 Result  - Tab Australian Cup (held 10 March 2018). breednet.com. 10 March 2018.
  13. Web site: 2017 Result  - Tab Australian Cup (held 11 March 2017). breednet.com. 11 March 2017.
  14. Web site: 2016 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 2016). breednet.com. 12 March 2016. 13 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160313033120/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=12%2F03%2F2016&v=Flemington&r=7. dead.
  15. Web site: 2015 Result  - Australian Cup (held 14 March 2015). breednet.com. 14 March 2015. 2 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155638/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=14%2F03%2F2015&v=Flemington&r=7. dead.
  16. Web site: 2014 Result  - Darley Australian Cup (held 8 March 2014). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  17. Web site: 2013 Result  - Darley Australian Cup (held 9 March 2013). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  18. Web site: 2012 Result  - Dubai Australian Cup (held 10 March 2012). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  19. Web site: 2011 Result  - Dubai Australian Cup (held 12 March 2011). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  20. Web site: 2010 Result  - Darley Australian Cup (held 13 March 2010). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  21. Web site: 2009 Result  - Darley Australian Cup (held 7 March 2009). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  22. Web site: 2008 Result  - Australian Cup (held 8 March 2008). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  23. Web site: 2007 Result  - Australian Cup (held 10 March 2007). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  24. Web site: 2006 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 2006). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  25. Web site: 2005 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 2005). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  26. Web site: 2004 Result  - Australian Cup (held 8 March 2004). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  27. Web site: 2003 Result  - Australian Cup (held 10 March 2003). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  28. Web site: 2002 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 2002). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  29. Web site: 2001 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 2001). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  30. Web site: 2000 Result  - Australian Cup (held 13 March 2000). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  31. Web site: 1999 Result  - Australian Cup (held 8 March 1999). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  32. Web site: 1998 Result  - Australian Cup (held 9 March 1998). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  33. Web site: 1997 Result  - Australian Cup (held 10 March 1997). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  34. Web site: 1996 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 1996). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  35. Web site: 1995 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 1995). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  36. Web site: 1994 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 1994). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  37. Web site: 1993 Result  - Australian Cup (held 8 March 1993). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  38. Web site: 1992 Result  - Australian Cup (held 9 March 1992). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  39. Web site: 1991 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 1991). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  40. Web site: 1990 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 1990). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  41. Web site: 1989 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 1989). breednet.com. 3 March 2015.
  42. Web site: 1988 Result  - Australian Cup (held 14 March 1988). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042917/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=14%2F03%2F1988&v=FLEMINGTON&r=6. dead.
  43. Web site: 1987 Result  - Australian Cup (held 9 March 1987). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030437/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=9%2F03%2F1987&v=FLEMINGTON&r=6. dead.
  44. Web site: 1986 Result  - Australian Cup (held 10 March 1986). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002230/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=10%2F03%2F1986&v=FLEMINGTON&r=5. dead.
  45. Web site: 1985 Result  - Australian Cup (held 11 March 1985). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033145/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=11%2F03%2F1985&v=FLEMINGTON&r=5. dead.
  46. Web site: 1984 Result  - Australian Cup (held 12 March 1984). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223430/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=12%2F03%2F1984&v=FLEMINGTON&r=5. dead.
  47. Web site: 1983 Result  - Australian Cup (held 14 March 1983). breednet.com. 3 March 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024748/http://www.breednet.com.au/stakes-race-results/stakesResults.asp?mdate=14%2F03%2F1983&v=FLEMINGTON&r=5. dead.
  48. News: Great Ride by Moore got Cyron Dead-Heat. The Age, Melbourne. 11 March 1969. 5 March 2013. Tony. Kennedy. 26.
  49. News: V.R.C AUTUMN MEETING. THE AUSTRALIAN CUP. A DEAD HEAT. . The Advertiser, Adelaide. 6 March 1912. 5 March 2013. Trove Digitized Newspapers. 6. Tatiara.
  50. News: Australian Cup (Official result and commentary). The Age, Melbourne. 9 March 1872. 5 March 2013. 4 (column 3). Third heat  - Even betting. The pair ran locked together until close home, when the Dutchman failed, and Saladin won by half a neck. .