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Australian group 1 thoroughbred horse race From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Group I race | |
Sylvandale, 1935 winner | |
| Location | Flemington Racecourse Melbourne, Australia |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1863 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Sponsor | TAB (2024) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,000 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Horses three years old and older Maidens ineligible |
| Weight | Weight for Age |
| Purse | A$3,000,000 (2024) |
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 1+1⁄4 miles to attract classier middle distance gallopers.[2]
Stakes were increased from $1 million to $1.5 million in 2016.
In 2007 the race was run at Caulfield Racecourse due to refurbishment work at Flemington Racecourse.[2]
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]
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