Auckland Pacing Cup
Group I race | |
Location | Alexandra Park Auckland, New Zealand |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1890 |
Race type | Standardbred - Harness racing |
Website | www |
Race information | |
Distance | 2,700m |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | Oval, right-handed, mobile barrier |
Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
Purse | NZ $250,000 (2019) |
The Auckland Pacing Cup which is sometimes referred to as the Auckland Trotting Cup or merely the Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park on New Year's Eve in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of the two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year for the highest grade (Open class) pacers. It is a Group 1 championship race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand.
Cup History[]
For most of its history the Auckland Cup has been raced in December, however at times it has been moved to other calendar dates such as:
- March, from 2006 until 2015, when it formed part of Auckland Cup Week, a carnival which includes feature Thoroughbred and greyhound racing. As well as the March 2015 race (won by Christen Me) there was a second 2015 Auckland Cup raced in December (Have Faith In Me). Neither Christen Me or Have Faith In Me competed in the other race that year.
- January, in 1987 when won by Master Mood over 2,700m. In 1987 there was a second Auckland Cup in December, reverting to the 3,200m distance, won by Luxury Liner. Perhaps evidencing the competitiveness of the fields the January 1987 winner Master Mood could only place 9th in the December race whereas Luxury Liner, the winner in December could only achieve 6th in the earlier race.
- February, for the 1978 to 1986 (inclusive) years.
Distance
The Auckland Cup is currently run over 3,200 metres from a mobile start.
The race started as a 3-mile event in 1890 to 1894 (inclusive) but it has traditionally been a 3,200m or 2 mile event apart from being a 2,700m journey for the races held from:
- March 2007 (won by Flashing Red) to March 2015 (Christen Me) before reverting to 3,200m for the 2016 year onwards.
- February 1978 (Sole Command) to January 1987 (Master Mood).
Stake money
The stake money for the Auckland Cup has reduced in recent years:
- $196,000 for the 2020 year.
- $245,000 for the 2019 year, which compared to $750,000 for the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
- $600,000 for the 2009 Auckland Cup[1] ($1 million for the New Zealand Cup).
Famous winners
Horses which have won the Auckland Cup include Hall of Fame inductees and champions like:
The above horses went on to succeed in the United States and/or Canada.[2]
It has been uncommon for female horses (mares) to win the Cup, the most recent being:
- Amazing Dream (2020).
- Flight South (2000).
- Kate's First (1997).
Australian participation[]
As with the New Zealand Trotting Cup Australian trained horses sometimes make the journey to Alexandra Park, such as the following winners:
- Themightyquinn (a former NZ horse) in 2011 and 2013
- Gammalite in 1982
Records[]
Most wins by a driver:
- 8 - Tony Herlihy (1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2008)
- 6 - P T Wolfenden (1960, 1961, 1963, 1978, 1983, 1984)
- 4 - J (James) Bryce jnr (1943, 1945, 1948, 1949)
- 6 - Mark Purdon (2002, 2009, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Most wins by an owner:
- 4 - R A McKenzie (1957, 1959, 1971, 1985)
Winners list[]
Year |
Month |
Distance |
Horse |
Hcap |
Owner(s) |
Driver |
Time |
Second Place |
Third Place |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Dec | 3200m | Amazing Dream | Fr (3) | Mark Purdon | 3:56.56 | Spankem | Copy That | |
2019 | Dec | 3200m | Self Assured | Fr (3) | Mrs JL Feiss | Mark Purdon | 3:59.4 | Thefixer | Triple Eight |
2018 | Dec | 3200m | Turn It Up[3] | Fr (6) | JA Gibbs MNZM, L Pilcher, Mark Purdon, Mrs A Gibbs | Mark Purdon | 4:03.0 | Star Galleria | Ashley Locaz |
2017 | Dec | 3200m | Vincent (Aust)[4] | Fr (4) | W R Feiss | Natalie Rasmussen | 4:04.7 | Titan Banner | Heaven Rocks |
2016 | Dec | 3200m | Dream About Me[5] | Fr (9) | CJ Roberts, Est Mrs JL Roberts, P G Kenny, Mrs ML Kenny | Mark Purdon | 3:55.4 | Hug The Wind | Arden's Choice |
2015 | Dec | 3200m | [6] | Fr (U1) | DM Dunford & MD Dunford | Tim Williams[7] | 4:06.0 | Hughie Green | Smolda |
2015 | Mar | 2700m | [8] | Fr (11) | CJ Roberts & VL Purdon | 3:13.8 | Adore Me | Ohoka Punter | |
2014 | Mar | 2700m | Terror to Love | Fr (11) | McDonald Bloodstock Ltd | Ricky May | 3:15.8 | Adore Me | Saveapatrol |
2013 | Mar | 2700m | Themightyquinn | Fr (8) | Mrs B Richardson,G L Moore,G Ralston,M Congerton | 3:16.7 | Terror to Love | Better Cover Lover | |
2012 | Mar | 2700m | Fr (4) | Lincoln Farms Ltd | Maurice McKendry | 3:19:5 | Terror to Love | Pembrook Benny | |
2011 | Mar | 2700m | Themightyquinn | Fr (9) | Mrs B Richardson,G L Moore,G Ralston,M Congerton | 3:16.72 | Mr Feelgood | Pembrook Penny | |
2010 | Mar | 2700m | Monkey King | Fr (4) | Cavalla Bloodstock Limited | Ricky May | 3:21.0 | Tintin in America | Baileys Dream |
2009 | Mar | 2700m | Auckland Reactor | Fr (8) | Auckland Reactor Ltd | Mark Purdon | 3:18.5 | Monkey King | Awesome Armbro |
2008 | Mar | 2700m | Gotta Go Cullen | Fr (11) | I D Dobson | Tony Herlihy | 3:20.0 | Monkey King | Baileys Dream |
2007 | Mar | 2700m | Flashing Red | Fr (1) | Ravelyn Pty Ltd, Jenkscraft Pty Ltd | Anthony Butt | 3:17.2 | Classic Cullen | Sly Flyin |
2006 | Mar | 3200m | Mi Muchacho | Fr (7) | R C Anderson, Ms P C Larsen | Peter Ferguson | 4:05.7 | Mainland Banner | Lord Vader |
2005 | Dec | 3200m | Howard Bromac | Fr (4) | Michelle Larsen, L Philpott, D Hardie | 4:03.0 | Alta Serena | Napoleon | |
2004 | Dec | 3200m | Elsu | 10m (U2) | J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/P Small | David Butcher | 4:05.1 | Oscar Wild | Howard Bromac |
2003 | Dec | 3200m | Elsu | Fr (10) | J Walters/Double Up Synd/Est D Hudson/P Small | David Butcher | 4:00.5 | Just An Excuse | Holmes D G |
2002 | Dec | 3200m | Young Rufus | Fr (3) | Manolitsis/V, T & W Lynch/G Carey/K Hyslop | Mark Purdon | 4:00.6 | Yulestar | Facta Non Verba |
2001 | Dec | 3200m | Holmes D G | Fr | Second Five Syndicate | 4:03.4 | Yulestar | Gracious Knight | |
2000 | Dec | 3200m | Flight South | Fr | J Yardley, K J McNamara, A P Neal | Andrew Neal | 4:02.6 | Yulestar | Holmes DG |
1999 | Dec | 3200m | Happy Asset | Fr | J J O'Donnell, M K Rodgers, D J MacDonald | Anthony Butt | 4:01.8 | Yulestar | Breeny's Fella |
1998 | Dec | 3200m | Christian Cullen | 10 m | I D Dobson, Mrs D A Dobson, Brian A O'Meara | Danny Campbell | 3:59.7 | Bogan Fella | Kate's First |
1997 | Dec | 3200m | Kate's First | Fr | G H Beirne, P R Bielby | Peter Ferguson | 4:01.2 | Brabham | Happy Asset |
1996 | Dec | 3200m | Sharp and Telford | Fr | A J Parker, P R A Parker, N I Gillanders | Tony Herlihy | 4:02.2 | Anvil Vance | Surprise Package |
1995 | Dec | 3200m | Burlington Bertie | Fr | P D Bagrie, A G Bagrie, A Spark, S Spark | 4:02.1 | Desperate Comment | Brabham | |
1994 | Dec | 3200m | Chokin | 15 m | Pacers Australia/M Joyce/J Loughlan/B De Boer | Tony Herlihy | 4:02.6 | Franco Ice | Christopher Vance |
1993 | Dec | 3200m | Chokin | 10 m | Pacers Australia/M Joyce/J Loughlan/B De Boer | Tony Herlihy | 3:59.5 | Franco Ice | Christopher Vance |
1992 | Dec | 3200m | Master Musician | Fr | Robert J Dunn, Ken L McDonald, Eugene C Storck | 4:03.2 | Christopher Vance | The Bru Czar | |
1991 | Dec | 3200m | Christopher Vance | 10 m | R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 4:04.2 | Starship | The Bru Czar |
1990 | Dec | 3200m | The Bru Czar | Fr | Geoff A West, Jenny G West | Gary Hillier | 4:02.4 | Christopher Vance | Tight Connection |
1989 | Dec | 3200m | Neroship | Fr | G John Webber, Neil W Webber | John Langdon | 4:10.0 | Gypsy Vance | Kylie's Hero |
1988 | Dec | 3200m | 15 m | Robert Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 4:03.8 | Kylie's Hero | Gina Rosa | |
1987 | Dec | 3200m | Fr | R Reid, Est L F Reid, J C Reid | Tony Herlihy | 4:05.3 | Gaelic Skipper | Skipper Dale | |
1987 | Jan | 2700m | Master Mood | Fr | K L & B A Williams, S F & F B Wong | Kevin Williams | 3:24.4 | Skipper Dale | Quiet Touch |
1986 | Feb | 2700m | Comedy Lad | Fr (6) | M L Harvey | Tony Herlihy | 3:22.4 | Roydon Glen | Direct Kiwi |
1985 | Feb | 2700m | Roydon Glen | Fr | Roy A McKenzie | 3:25.8 | Hilarious Guest | Comedy Lad | |
1984 | Feb | 2700m | Enterprise | Fr | P D & C T Heffernan | Peter Wolfenden | 3:27.4 | Our Mana | Dillon Dale |
1983 | Feb | 2700m | Fr | H (Brent) Smith | Peter Wolfenden | 3:20.7 | Hilarious Guest | Hands Down | |
1982 | Feb | 2700m | Gammalite | Fr | Leo F O'Connor | 3:24.6 | Bonnie's Chance | Delightful Lady | |
1981 | Feb | 2700m | Delightful Lady | Fr | A & Paul Grant | 3:22.9 | Idolmite | Lord Module | |
1980 | Feb | 2700m | Delightful Lady | Fr | A & P Grant | 3:25.1 | Lord Module | Sapling | |
1979 | Feb | 2700m | Sapling | Fr | George C and Gladys M Cruickshank & Lionel Given | Henry W Skinner | 3:30.5 | Belmer's Image | Royal Wardorf |
1978 | Feb | 2700m | Sole Command | Fr | B J & M I Walker & R C Purdon | Peter Wolfenden | 3:26.4 | Captain Harcourt | Nimble Yankee |
1976 | Dec | 3200m | Bolton Byrd | Fr | Jim Dalgety, West Melton | Robert J Dunn | 4:13.7 | Forto Prontezza | Classic Move |
1975 | Dec | 3200m | Fr | E J Bennett | 4:10.2 | Speedy Guest | Noodlum | ||
1974 | Dec | 3200m | Young Quinn | 10 m | D J & R O Baynes | Charlie Hunter, Cambridge | 4:16 | Robalan | Hi Foyle |
1973 | Dec | 3200m | 20 m | Laurie Forde | 4:11.2 | Young Quinn | Black Watch | ||
1972 | Dec | 2 mi | Fr | C J McLaughlin & F E Newfield | 4:14-8 | Scottish Charm | Manaroa | ||
1971 | Dec | 2 mi | Fr | R A McKenzie | John B Noble | 4:22.4 | Bella's Command | Rain Again | |
1970 | Dec | 2 mi | Fr | L H Tilson | Doody Townley | 4:11.8 | Scottish Charm | Holy Hal | |
1969 | Dec | 2 mi | Leading Light | Fr | H S Kruse, T Lock & J G Power | Derek G Jones | 4:27 | Holy Hal | Stella Frost |
1968 | Dec | 2 mi | Cardinal Garrison | Fr | R C Nelmes & P G Trigg | 4:09.2 | Loyal Knight | Cuddle Doon | |
1967 | Dec | 2 mi | Allakasam | Fr | C J McLaughlin | Alan M Harrison | 4:14.4 | ||
1966 | Dec | 2 mi | Waitaki Hanover | 24 yd | J & F Smith | Doody Townley | 4:13.6 | ||
1965 | Dec | 2 mi | 12 yd | J W Hewitt | M F (Maurice) Holmes | 4:13 | |||
1964 | Dec | 2 mi | Lordship | 36 yd | D G Nyhan | Denis Nyhan | 4:11.4 | ||
1963 | Dec | 2 mi | Cardigan Bay | 78 yd | A D Dean | Peter Wolfenden | 4:11.2 | ||
1962 | Dec | 2 mi | Dandy Briar | Fr | J Steel | 4:21.8 | |||
1961 | Dec | 2 mi | Cardigan Bay | Fr | A D Dean | Peter Wolfenden | 4:18 | ||
1960 | Dec | 2 mi | Damian | 24 yd | L J R Barrett | Peter Wolfenden | 4:23 | ||
1959 | Dec | 2 mi | Scottish Command | 60 yd | R A McKenzie | Ian W Hunter | 4:17 | ||
1958 | Dec | 2 mi | Macklin | Fr | J H, R H & M T Butterick | John H Butterick | 4:25 | ||
1957 | Dec | 2 mi | Highland Air | 12 yd | R A McKenzie | George B Noble | 4:24.4 | ||
1956 | Dec | 2 mi | Unite | 12 yd | V Leeming | Doug C Watts | 4:26.6 | ||
1955 | Dec | 2 mi | Prince Polka | Fr | G Carmichael | Noel L Berkett | 4:20.6 | ||
1954 | Dec | 2 mi | Caduceus | Fr | D D & D R Moore | Jack D Litten | 4:19 | ||
1953 | Dec | 2 mi | Thelma Globe | 12 yd | A C & A S Sandston | Jack B Pringle | 4:16.6 | ||
1952 | Dec | 2 mi | Soangetaha | 36 yd | M A Ryland | Derek G Jones | 4:12 | ||
1951 | Dec | 2 mi | Soangetaha | Fr | M A Ryland | Derek G Jones | 4:19 | ||
1950 | Dec | 2 mi | Victory Globe | Fr | E L McKeon | R (Bob) Young | 4:14 | ||
1949 | Dec | 2 mi | Captain Sandy | 36 yd | J M Bain | J (James) Bryce jnr | 4:21.4 | ||
1948 | Dec | 2 mi | Captain Sandy | Fr | J M Bain | James Bryce jnr | 4:18 | ||
1947 | Dec | 2 mi | Single Direct | 12 yd | M R & Bruce Elliott | Edgar N Kennerley | 4:24.8 | ||
1946 | Dec | 2 mi | Loyal Nurse | 12 yd | C V May | Clarry V May | 4:22.4 | ||
1945 | Dec | 2 mi | Sea Born | 12 yd | C Johnston | James Bryce jnr | 4:27.2 | ||
1944 | Dec | 2 mi | Betty Boop | 12 yd | P Reid | Denny McKendry | 4:21 | ||
1943 | Dec | 2 mi | Loyal Friend | 24 yd | A J Wilson | W J (Bill) Doyle | 4:24.4 | ||
1943 | Jan | 2 mi | Shadow Maid | 24 yd | G Chesmar | James Bryce jnr | 4:22 | ||
1941 | Dec | 2 mi | Uenuku | 12 yd | R A McMillan | R A (Alan) McMillan | 4:28 | ||
1940 | Dec | 2 mi | Ned Worthy | Fr | H Hunter | W J (Bill) Doyle | 4:26 | ||
1939 | Dec | 2 mi | Marlene | Fr | 4:22.4 | ||||
1938 | Dec | 2 mi | Navy Blue | Fr | Messrs Gough & Sanders | M Stewart | 4:28 | ||
1937 | Dec | 2 mi | Willow Wave | Fr | D Windle & W McDonald | Ossie Hooper | 4:20.4 | ||
1936 | Dec | 2 mi | King's Warrior | Fr | B C Lincoln | F J Smith | 4:20.8 | ||
1935 | Dec | 2 mi | Graham Direct | 12 yd | J Westerman | Free Holmes | 4:26.4 | ||
1934 | Dec | 2 mi | Roi L'Or | 48 yd | P Brown | Free Holmes | 4:15.4 | ||
1933 | Dec | 2 mi | Indianapolis | Fr | G J Barton | W J (Bill) Tomkinson | 4:26.4 | ||
1932 | Dec | 2 mi | Great Parrish | Fr | J T Paul | Jim T Paul | 4:26.8 | ||
1931 | Dec | 2 mi | Royal Silk | Fr | M Harrall | Jack S Shaw | 4:29.4 | ||
1930 | Dec | 2 mi | Carmel | Fr | J W Murphy | 4:25.6 | |||
1929 | Dec | 2 mi | Gold Jacket | 48 yd | E J Parker | Andrew Bryce | 4:33.4 | ||
1928 | Dec | 2 mi | Gold Jacket | 12 yd | E J Parker | Andrew Bryce | 4:30.2 | ||
1927 | Dec | 2 mi | Ahuriri | 36 yd | R M Morten | J (Scotty) Bryce | 4.25.6 | ||
1926 | Dec | 2 mi | Talaro | 12 yd | C E Lindsay | M F (Maurice) Holmes | 4.31 | ||
1925 | Dec | 2 mi | Nelson Derby | Fr | G J Barton | W J (Bill) Tomkinson | 4.29.4 | ||
1924 | Dec | 2 mi | Locanda Mac | Fr | N Gunn | A Fleming | 4.36.6 | ||
1923 | Dec | 2 mi | Blue Mountain King | 12 yd | McKendrick Bros | George A McKendrick | 4.30.4 | ||
1922 | Dec | 2 mi | Minton Derby | Fr | C W Griffin | Peter Riddle | 4.32.2 | ||
1921 | Dec | 2 mi | Man O'War | 96 yd | J R Corrigan | Andrew Bryce | 4.31 | ||
1920 | Dec | 2 mi | Man O'War | 84 yd | J Corrigan | J (Scotty) Bryce | 4.29.4 | ||
1919 | Dec | 2 mi | Norah Creina | 12 yd | W Orange | W (Bill) Orange | 4.33.4 | ||
1918 | Dec | 2 mi | Harold Junior | 24 yd | A Brown | A Brown | 4.38 | ||
1917 | Dec | 2 mi | Steel Bell | 96 yd | T Roe | James Lynch | 4.33.8 | ||
1916 | Dec | 2 mi | Admiral Wood | 144 yd | A M Seymour | A Julian | 4.52.4 | ||
1915 | Dec | 2 mi | Cathedral Chimes | 9 sec | J B Thomson | J (Scotty) Bryce | 4.40.2 | ||
1914 | Dec | 2 mi | Steel Bell | 7 sec | T Roe | James Lynch | 4.38.4 | ||
1913 | Dec | 2 mi | Jewel Chimes | 14 sec | J D Piper | Dan Nyhan | 4.39.6 | ||
1912 | Dec | 2 mi | Mandarene | scr | J G Lecky | W C Hird | 4.40.4 | ||
1911 | Dec | 2 mi | Bingana | 11 sec | F Porangi | J West | 4.44.8 | ||
1910 | Dec | 2 mi | Floranz | 8 sec | Preece & Hamilton | S Hamilton | 4.53.8 | ||
1909 | Dec | 2 mi | Havoc | 17 sec | D Nyhan | Dan Nyhan | 4.58.2 | ||
1908 | Dec | 2 mi | Scotia | 5 sec | J Parsons | W (Bill) Orange | 4.57.4 | ||
1907 | Dec | 2 mi | All Night | 15 sec | W A Scott | W A Scott | 5.15.2 | ||
1906 | Dec | 2 mi | Typewriter | 14 sec | C Baker | Baker snr | 4.54.2 | ||
1905 | Dec | 2 mi | Le Rosier | 15 sec | W C Watt | S Hamilton | 5.7.4 | ||
1904 | Dec | 2 mi | Rebel Boy | 7 sec | T Penny | W C Hird | 5.03 | ||
1903 | Dec | 2 mi | Plain G | 10 sec | L Robertson | Lou Robertson | 5.07 | ||
1902 | Dec | 2 mi | Van Dieman | 20 sec | J Pettie | E McCann | 5.06 | ||
1901 | Dec | 2 mi | Thorndean | 26 sec | H Grant | Andy Pringle | 5.14.6 | ||
1900 | Dec | 2 mi | Cob | 34 sec | W Singleton | E Murfitt | 5.31.2 | ||
1899 | Dec | 2 mi | Billy Wilson | 32 sec | W C Hird | W C Hird | 5.22.2 | ||
1898 | Dec | 2 mi | Duke C | scr | R McBride | H Chatteris | 5.9.2 | ||
1897 | Dec | 2 mi | Awahuri | 38 sec | C C Miles | E Murfitt | 5.32 | ||
1896 | Dec | 3 mi | Fibre | 50 sec | J Gage | G Clarke | 8.37 | ||
1895 | Dec | 2 mi | Old Judge | 28 sec | E G Sandall | E G (Ted) Sandall | 5.31 | ||
1894 | Dec | 3 mi | Tom Hicks | 75 sec | E G Sandall | E G (Ted) Sandall | 8.48 | ||
1893 | Dec | 3 mi | Sandfly | 64 sec | B Tanner | Sam Tanner | 8.50.2 | ||
1892 | Dec | 3 mi | Little Ben | 53 sec | H Lowe | L Goodwin | 8.36 | ||
1891 | Dec | 3 mi | Rarus[9] | 25 sec | A E Green | W Stevenson | 8.49.6 | ||
1890 | Dec | 3 mi | Commodore | 40 sec | S Heaney | Dinny Hartford | 10.06.6 |
See also[]
- Harness racing in New Zealand
- New Zealand Horse of the Year
- New Zealand Trotting Cup
- New Zealand Free For All
- New Zealand Trotting Derby
- Great Northern Derby
- Dominion Handicap
- Rowe Cup
- Inter Dominion Pacing Championship
- Inter Dominion Trotting Championship
- Miracle Mile Pace
- Noel J Taylor Mile
- New Zealand Messenger
- Harness racing
References[]
- ^ "Prizemoney for Premier Ne Zealand Harness racing events". Archived from the original on 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ Auckland Pacing Cup list of winners Archived June 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/turn-it-ups-meteoric-rise/
- ^ http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Vincent-Victorious-In-Auckland-Cup
- ^ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11775279
- ^ http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Have-Faith-In-Me-all-class-in-Auckland-Cup>
- ^ https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/75572932/tim-williams-owes-auckland-cup-win-to-have-faith-in-mes-connections
- ^ http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Christen-Me-all-class-in-Auckland-Cup
- ^ Rarus promoted from 2nd after the 'winner' was disqualified for 'misdescription'.
Full list of Auckland Cup results - http://www.hrnz.co.nz
- Horse races in New Zealand
- Harness racing in New Zealand
- Auckland Pacing Cup winners