Auckland Pacing Cup

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.

Auckland Pacing Cup
Group I race
LocationAlexandra Park
Auckland, New Zealand
Inaugurated1890
Race typeStandardbred - Harness racing
Websitewww.alexandrapark.co.nz
Race information
Distance2,700m
SurfaceDirt
TrackOval, right-handed, mobile barrier
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
PurseNZ $250,000 (2019)

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 back 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.
  • $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:

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 Have Faith In Me [6] Fr (U1) DM Dunford & MD Dunford Tim Williams[7] 4:06.0 Hughie Green Smolda
2015 Mar 2700m Christen Me[8] Fr (11) CJ Roberts & VL Purdon Dexter Dunn 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 Gary Hall 3:16.7 Terror to Love Better Cover Lover
2012 Mar 2700m Sir Lincoln 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 Gary Hall 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 Kirk Larsen 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 Barry Purdon 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 Colin De Filippi 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 Robert Dunn 4:03.2 Christopher VanceThe 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 VanceTight Connection
1989 Dec 3200m Neroship Fr G John Webber, Neil W Webber John Langdon 4:10.0 Gypsy VanceKylie’s Hero
1988 Dec 3200m Luxury Liner 15 m Robert Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, J C Reid Tony Herlihy 4:03.8 Kylie’s HeroGina Rosa
1987 Dec 3200m Luxury Liner Fr R Reid, Est L F Reid, J C Reid Tony Herlihy 4:05.3 Gaelic SkipperSkipper Dale
1987 Jan 2700m Master Mood Fr K L & B A Williams, S F & F B Wong Kevin Williams 3:24.4 Skipper DaleQuiet Touch
1986 Feb 2700m Comedy Lad Fr (6) M L Harvey Tony Herlihy 3:22.4 Roydon GlenDirect Kiwi
1985 Feb 2700m Roydon Glen Fr Roy A McKenzie W Fred Fletcher 3:25.8 Hilarious GuestComedy Lad
1984 Feb 2700m Enterprise Fr P D & C T Heffernan Peter Wolfenden 3:27.4 Our ManaDillon Dale
1983 Feb 2700m Armalight Fr H (Brent) Smith Peter Wolfenden 3:20.7 Hilarious GuestHands Down
1982 Feb 2700m Gammalite Fr Leo F O'Connor W Bruce Clarke 3:24.6 Bonnie’s ChanceDelightful Lady
1981 Feb 2700m Delightful Lady Fr A & Paul Grant Mike J Stormont 3:22.9 IdolmiteLord Module
1980 Feb 2700m Delightful Lady Fr A & P Grant Mike J Stormont 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 ImageRoyal 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 ProntezzaClassic Move
1975 Dec 3200m Captain Harcourt Fr E J Bennett Tommy H Knowles 4:10.2 Speedy Guest Noodlum
1974 Dec 3200m Young Quinn 10 m D J & R O Baynes Charlie Hunter, Cambridge 4:16 RobalanHi Foyle
1973 Dec 3200m Arapaho 20 m Laurie Forde Jack Smolenski 4:11.2 Young QuinnBlack Watch
1972 Dec 2 mi Royal Ascot Fr C J McLaughlin & F E Newfield Felix Newfield 4:14-8 Scottish CharmManaroa
1971 Dec 2 mi Garcon Roux Fr R A McKenzie John B Noble 4:22.4 Bella’s CommandRain Again
1970 Dec 2 mi Stella Frost 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 Tommy H Knowles 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 Robin Dundee 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 C S (Ces) Donald 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 C S Donald C S (Ces) Donald 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 C S (Ces) Donald 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

References
  1. "Prizemoney for Premier Ne Zealand Harness racing events". Archived from the original on 2009-08-25. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  2. Auckland Pacing Cup list of winners Archived June 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/turn-it-ups-meteoric-rise/
  4. http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Vincent-Victorious-In-Auckland-Cup
  5. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11775279
  6. http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Have-Faith-In-Me-all-class-in-Auckland-Cup>
  7. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/75572932/tim-williams-owes-auckland-cup-win-to-have-faith-in-mes-connections
  8. http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Christen-Me-all-class-in-Auckland-Cup
  9. Rarus promoted from 2nd after the 'winner' was disqualified for 'misdescription'.

Full list of Auckland Cup results - http://www.hrnz.co.nz

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