The Australian Cup is a Group 1 weight-for-age race held in early to mid March during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.
The $1.5 million Australian Cup is one of many races held on Flemington’s Super Saturday, which offers a six Group stakes races including the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for the sprinters.
The race is a 2000m event ideal for strong staying horses. The most recent lead-up race to the Australian Cup is the Group 2 St George Stakes (1800m).
The 2017 Australian Cup will ran on March 11, 2017.
| Australian Cup | |
|---|---|
| Date: | March 11, 2017 |
| Racecourse: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Race Type: | Weight-For-Age |
| Status: | Group 1 |
| Prize Money: | $1,500,000 |
2017 Australian Cup Results
See below for the full Australian Cup 2017 Results & Finishing Order – the Darren Weir-trained favourite Humidor peaking in the run to salute for the punters on way to Sydney’s Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | – | 7 | 59kg | $4.20EF |
| 2 | 11 | JAMEKA | Ciaron Maher | Hugh Bowman | 0.4L | 11 | 57kg | $4.20EF |
| 3 | 6 | EXOSPHERIC (GB) | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Damien Oliver | 1.65L | 10 | 59kg | $10 |
| 4 | 1 | STRATUM STAR | Darren Weir | Mark Zahra | 1.85L | 2 | 59kg | $11 |
| 5 | 3 | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Ben Melham | 2.35L | 4 | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 6 | 9 | BOOM TIME | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 5.35L | 8 | 59kg | $41 |
| 7 | 7 | TALLY | John O’Shea | Joao Moreira | 5.85L | 1 | 59kg | $21 |
| 8 | 5 | ECUADOR (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 7.85L | 5 | 59kg | $11 |
| 9 | 2 | AWESOME ROCK | Leon & Troy Corstens | Stephen Baster | 8.05L | 6 | 59kg | $21 |
| 10 | 8 | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Glen Boss | 20.05L | 3 | 59kg | $16 |
| 11 | 4 | MOURINHO | Peter Gelagotis | Anthony Darmanin | 28.05L | 9 | 59kg | $101 |
| – | 12 | REAL LOVE | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | – | 0 | – | – |
2017 Australian Cup Betting Odds
The current Australian Cup 2017 odds and market links will be provided below as soon as betting on the Group 1 ‘Super Saturday’ feature is open at Ladbrokes.com.au.
2017 Australian Cup Field
The Australian Cup field attracts a line-up of the season’s best weight-for-age stayers, many of which ran in the previous season’s spring features like the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, and is released the Wednesday before ‘Super Saturday’.
The 2017 Australian Cup field and barriers will be published below on March 8, 2017 as soon as released by Racing Victoria.
Check out the official 2017 Australian Cup Field & Barrier Draw below – following the link to read more on the final acceptances including last start Peter Young Stakes winner Stratum Star and his well-fancied stablemate Humidor.
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33×8502111 | STRATUM STAR | Darren Weir | Mark Zahra | 2 | 59kg | 112 |
| 2 | x015551x70 | AWESOME ROCK | Leon & Troy Corstens | Stephen Baster | 6 | 59kg | 113 |
| 3 | 212x6145x3 | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Ben Melham | 4 | 59kg | 111 |
| 4 | 10x703x808 | MOURINHO | Peter Gelagotis | Anthony Darmanin | 9 | 59kg | 108 |
| 5 | 06116×1133 | ECUADOR (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 5 | 59kg | 109 |
| 6 | 3x183538x6 | EXOSPHERIC (GB) | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Damien Oliver | 10 | 59kg | 112 |
| 7 | 3x02303x37 | TALLY | John O’Shea | Joao Moreira | 1 | 59kg | 104 |
| 8 | x266223x69 | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | Lee & Anthony Freedman | Glen Boss | 3 | 59kg | 98 |
| 9 | x44x311151 | BOOM TIME | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 8 | 59kg | 100 |
| 10 | x31129x422 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 7 | 59kg | 105 |
| 11 | x471210x44 | JAMEKA | Ciaron Maher | Hugh Bowman | 11 | 57kg | 113 |
| 12 | x27156x555 | REAL LOVE | Darren Weir | Brad Rawiller | 12 | 57kg | 107 |
2017 Australian Cup First Acceptances
The 2017 Australian Cup first acceptances are taken in late February two weeks out from the Group 1 weight-for-age feature and will be released below as soon as announced by Racing Victoria.
See below for the full 2017 Australian Cup First Acceptances and follow the link to read more on the key entries including Winx and Caulfield Cup winner Jameka.
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111x1111x1 | WINX | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 1 | 57kg | 132 |
| 2 | 4x471210x4 | JAMEKA | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher | 2 | 57kg | 119 |
| 3 | 110x4540x6 | PREFERMENT (NZ) | H | 5 | Chris Waller | 3 | 59kg | 116 |
| 4 | 5x211123x2 | HARTNELL (GB) | G | 6 | John O’Shea | 4 | 59kg | 124 |
| 5 | 033×850211 | STRATUM STAR | H | 5 | Darren Weir | 5 | 59kg | 116 |
| 6 | 0x015551x7 | AWESOME ROCK | H | 5 | Leon & Troy Corstens | 6 | 59kg | 117 |
| 7 | 5212x6145x | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | H | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 7 | 59kg | 117 |
| 8 | 4160x88x72 | TURN ME LOOSE (NZ) | H | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 8 | 59kg | 118 |
| 9 | 4x27156x55 | REAL LOVE | M | 6 | Darren Weir | 9 | 57kg | 110 |
| 10 | 610x703x80 | MOURINHO | G | 9 | Peter Gelagotis | 10 | 59kg | 111 |
| 11 | 65x808462x | ALMOONQITH (USA) | H | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 11 | 59kg | 113 |
| 12 | 706116×113 | ECUADOR (NZ) | G | 7 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 12 | 59kg | 115 |
| 13 | 211x1110x8 | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | G | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 13 | 59kg | 112 |
| 14 | 13x183538x | EXOSPHERIC (GB) | H | 5 | Lee & Anthony Freedman | 14 | 59kg | 117 |
| 15 | 6x454282x0 | SEABURGE | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 15 | 54.5kg | 115 |
| 16 | 13x02303x3 | TALLY | G | 4 | John O’Shea | 16 | 59kg | 111 |
| 17 | 1153x9210x | ASSIGN (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 17 | 59kg | 104 |
| 18 | x2252911x9 | PILOTE D’ESSAI (GB) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 18 | 59kg | 105 |
| 19 | 0x266223x6 | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | G | 6 | Lee & Anthony Freedman | 19 | 59kg | 107 |
| 20 | 111×8 | ABBEY MARIE | M | 4 | Michael Kent | 20 | 57kg | 108 |
| 21 | 12x1x7x39x | ALOFT (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott | 21 | 59kg | 94 |
| 22 | 9x44x31115 | BOOM TIME | H | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 22 | 59kg | 98 |
| 23 | 2x3915x0x3 | ENDLESS DRAMA (IRE) | H | 5 | Chris Waller | 23 | 59kg | 116 |
| 24 | 2117x8x00x | HANS HOLBEIN (GB) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott | 24 | 59kg | 88 |
| 25 | 145x52482x | VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 25 | 59kg | 100 |
| 26 | 1x31129x42 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 4 | Darren Weir | 26 | 59kg | 113 |
| 27 | 0x42x513x4 | OUR CENTURY (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 27 | 59kg | 99 |
2017 Australian Cup Nominations
The 2017 Australian Cup nominations close in late January over a month out from ‘Super Saturday’ at Flemington Racecourse and will be provided below as soon as released, followed by Australian Cup first acceptances in late February.
Check out the official 2017 Australian Cup Nominations below and for more information on the early entries follow the link.
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 111x | ABBEY MARIE | M | 4 | Michael Kent |
| 2 | 21x665111x | ALMANDIN (GER) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott |
| 3 | 65x808462x | ALMOONQITH (USA) | H | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 4 | 12x1x7x39x | ALOFT (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott |
| 5 | 13x850202x | AMBIENCE | M | 4 | John O’Shea |
| 6 | 46x511112x | ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | G | 4 | Chris Waller |
| 7 | 1153x9210x | ASSIGN (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott |
| 8 | 20x015551x | AWESOME ROCK | H | 5 | Leon & Troy Corstens |
| 9 | 222x302x0x | BIG MEMORY (FR) | G | 7 | Tony McEvoy |
| 10 | 20x11x330x | BONDI BEACH (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott |
| 11 | 9x44x31115 | BOOM TIME | H | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 12 | 3423414x | DARABAD (FR) | H | 4 | Robbie Laing |
| 13 | 6706116×11 | ECUADOR (NZ) | G | 7 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 14 | 22x3915x0x | ENDLESS DRAMA (IRE) | H | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 15 | 2x9065227x | ETYMOLOGY | G | 4 | John O’Shea |
| 16 | 13x183538x | EXOSPHERIC (GB) | H | 5 | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
| 17 | 526126x83x | EXTRA ZERO | G | 10 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 18 | 127×532110 | FLYING LIGHT | G | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 19 | 1x3x | FOUNDATION (IRE) | G | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 20 | 9x031x270x | GALLANTE (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott |
| 21 | x1837x820x | GREY LION (IRE) | H | 5 | Matt Cumani |
| 22 | 2117x8x00x | HANS HOLBEIN (GB) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott |
| 23 | 611x92384x | HARLEM (GB) | H | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 24 | x5x211123x | HARTNELL (GB) | G | 6 | John O’Shea |
| 25 | x400x9128x | HAZZABEEL (NZ) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher |
| 26 | 8x7323590x | HE OR SHE | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 27 | 1211x1110x | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | G | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 28 | 201x31129x | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 4 | Darren Weir |
| 29 | 1653x4313x | IT’S SOMEWHAT (USA) | G | 6 | John O’Shea |
| 30 | 24x471210x | JAMEKA | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher |
| 31 | 21330x | KACHING | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 32 | 0x06Fx4431 | KOURKAM (FR) | G | 7 | Tony McEvoy |
| 33 | x1610x703x | MOURINHO | G | 9 | Peter Gelagotis |
| 34 | 10x42x513x | OUR CENTURY (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott |
| 35 | 12x451008x | PALENTINO | H | 4 | Darren Weir |
| 36 | 1x2252911x | PILOTE D’ESSAI (GB) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 37 | 63849x080x | PORNICHET (FR) | H | 6 | Ciaron Maher |
| 38 | 4110x4540x | PREFERMENT (NZ) | H | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 39 | 114x27156x | REAL LOVE | M | 6 | Darren Weir |
| 40 | 40x274088x | RISING ROMANCE (NZ) | M | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 41 | 1211x1380x | RISQUE (NZ) | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 42 | 112x | RUTHVEN | C | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 43 | 10x3744x1x | SAVVY NATURE (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse |
| 44 | 16x454282x | SEABURGE | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 45 | x8xD21x00x | SIGNOFF (IRE) | G | 7 | Patrick F Ryan Jnr |
| 46 | 11270x | SILVERA | C | 3 | Tony McEvoy |
| 47 | 2x145x227x | SINGING (FR) | H | 7 | Kris Lees |
| 48 | x23114407x | SIR ISAAC NEWTON (GB) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott |
| 49 | 13x81x | SKY KINGDOM (IRE) | H | 4 | Garry Newham |
| 50 | 6x1141x | SNITZSON | C | 3 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 51 | 033×850211 | STRATUM STAR | H | 5 | Darren Weir |
| 52 | 113x02303x | TALLY | G | 4 | John O’Shea |
| 53 | 5212x6145x | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | H | 7 | Robert Hickmott |
| 54 | 11x3307x | THROSSELL | G | 3 | Ciaron Maher |
| 55 | 10x266223x | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | G | 6 | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
| 56 | 0x51709x4x | TOSEN STARDOM (JPN) | H | 6 | Darren Weir |
| 57 | 9x9623864x | TRANSFER ALLOWANCE | G | 7 | Peter Roche |
| 58 | 1x4160x88x | TURN ME LOOSE (NZ) | H | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman |
| 59 | 145x52482x | VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney |
| 60 | 4x6527255x | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | G | 8 | Chris Waller |
| 61 | 1111x1111x | WINX | M | 5 | Chris Waller |
Australian Cup History
First won by Barwon in 1861, the Australian Cup was originally a 3600m test of endurance until 1943 when the distance was decreased to 3500m. Twenty years later the distance was further decreased to 3200m, however the following year in 1964 the race became a 2000m event.
The fastest finishing time for the Australian Cup is held by the legendary Makybe Diva. In 2005, the mare finished the race in 1 minute 58.7 seconds. In 2007 the Australian Cup changed locations by being temporarily raced at Caulfield Racecourse.
Recent Australian Cup Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Australian Cup |
1st | TBD | TBD |
| 2nd | TBD | ||
| 3rd | TBD | ||
| 2017 Australian Cup |
1st | Humidor | 2 minutes 1.07 seconds |
| 2nd | Jameka | ||
| 3rd | Exospheric | ||
| 2016 Australian Cup |
1st | Preferment | 2 minutes 3.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Awesome Rock | ||
| 3rd | Rising Romance | ||
| 2015 Australian Cup |
1st | Spillway | 2 minutes 00.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Extra Zero | ||
| 3rd | Happy Trails | ||
| 2014 Australian Cup |
1st | Fiorente | 2 minutes 03.64 seconds |
| 2nd | Green Moon | ||
| 3rd | Foreteller | ||
| 2013 Australian Cup |
1st | Super Cool | 2 minutes 0.93 seconds |
| 2nd | Fiveandahalfstar | ||
| 3rd | Tanby | ||
| 2012 Australian Cup |
1st | Manighar | 2 minutes 01.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Southern Speed | ||
| 3rd | Americain | ||
| 2011 Australian Cup |
1st | Shocking | 2 minutes 0.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Linton | ||
| 3rd | Playing God | ||
| 2010 Australian Cup |
1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 3.69 seconds |
| 2nd | Sirmione | ||
| 3rd | Moatize | ||
| 2009 Australian Cup |
1st | Niconero | 2 minutes 3.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Theseo | ||
| 3rd | Zagreb | ||
| 2008 Australian Cup |
1st | Sirmione | 2 minutes 0.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Princess Coup | ||
| 3rd | Casino Prince | ||
| 2007 Australian Cup |
1st | Pompeii Ruler | 2 minutes 1.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Marasco | ||
| 3rd | Tawqeet | ||
| 2006 Australian Cup |
1st | Roman Arch | 2 minutes 2.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Candy Vale | ||
| 3rd | Our Smoking Joe | ||
| 2005 Australian Cup |
1st | Makybe Diva | 1 minute 58.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Winning Belle | ||
| 3rd | Lad Of The Manor | ||
| 2004 Australian Cup |
1st | Lonhro | 2 minutes 1.6 seconds |
| 2nd | Delzao | ||
| 3rd | Elvstroem | ||
| 2003 Australian Cup |
1st | Northerly | 2 minutes 1.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Natural Blitz | ||
| 3rd | Don Eduardo | ||
| 2002 Australian Cup |
1st | Old Comrade | 1 minute 59.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Northerly | ||
| 3rd | Rain Gauge | ||
| 2001 Australian Cup |
1st | Northerly | 1 minute 59.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Hit The Roof | ||
| 3rd | Kaapstad Way | ||
| 2000 Australian Cup |
1st | Intergaze | 2 minutes 0.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Arena | ||
| 3rd | Streak | ||