Betting On the Australian Cup:
The Australian Cup
Australian Cup Odds
| Name | SportsBet Odds |
| Zipping | $5.50 |
| Heart Of Dreams | $5.50 |
| Moudre | $7.00 |
| Linton | $7.00 |
| Precedence | $8.00 |
| Shocking | $9.00 |
| Alcopop | $15.00 |
| Ginga Dude | $21.00 |
| Playing God | $21.00 |
| Scenic Shot | $21.00 |
- Date: March
- Prize Money: $1,000,000
- Distance: 2,000m
- Venue: Flemington Races
- Type: Open Weight For Age
- Race Odds: Sportsbet | LuxBet
The 2000-metre, Group 1 Australian Cup is a weight-for-age race that is held annually every March at the Flemington races in Melbourne. This race takes place on Super Saturday which features seven group races including the Group 1 The Newmarket Handicap and the Group 1 The Australian Guineas. This race has total prize money of $1,000,000.
The Australian Cup was first staged in 1863 and it was staged in different distances over the years. From 1863-1942, the race had a distance of 18 furlongs or about 3600 metres. From 1943 to 1962, the race distance was adjusted to 17 furlongs and 110 yards or about 3500 metres. In 1963, the race distance is two miles or 3200 metres and in 1964, it was at ten furlongs or 2000 metres.
Flemington Race Track Map:
Flemington Races
The Australian Cup is the top staying event of the Flemington autumn racing carnival. It is a time-honored event that has been won by some of the best Australian race horses. This is the reason why it is tagged as a race for the top gallopers in Australian horse racing.
The usual lead-up race for the Australian Cup is the 1800-metre, Group 2 St. George Stakes which is held two weeks before the Australian Cup. Some of the Australian race horses that have won the St. George Stakes – Australian Cup double are Vo Rogue in 1989, Let’s Elope in 1992, Durbridge in 1994, Dane Ripper in 1998, Istidaad in 1999, Northerly in 2001, Lohnro in 2004 and Pompeii Ruler in 2007.
Thesio won the 2009 St. George Stakes before finishing second at the Australian Cup. Also, 2009 Australian Cup winner NIconero won the Group 1 The Futurity Stakes at the Caulfield races before winning this race. Other recent winners of the Australian Cup are Roman Arch in 2006, Pompeii Ruler in 2007 and Simione in 2008.
Trainer Bart Cummings has won the Australian Cup three times in the last 15 years. He did it with Let’s Elope in 1992, Durbridge in 1994 and Dane Ripper in 1998. Meanwhile, jockey Darren Beadman has won three Australian Cups as well. He won with Let’s Elope in 1992, Saintly in 1996 and Lonhro in 2004.
The winning record for this race was set by Makybe Diva when it took the title in 2005 with the time of 1.58:73 to beat the previous record that was set by Northerly. Makybe Diva was ridden by Glen Boss and trained by Lee Freedman.
In the 2010 Australian Cup, Zipping ran wide for the majority of the race but he stroke in the straight to take the lead in the 300 metre mark to set a neck-to-neck battle with Sirmione before grabbing the victory. Sirmione finished second while Moatize sneaked past Heart of Dreams to claim third place.
Australian Cup Recent History:
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2010 | Zipping | Sirmione | Moatize | 2:03.6 |
| 2009 | Niconero | Theseo | Zagreb | 2:03.1 |
| 2008 | Sirmione | Princess Coup | Casino Prince | 2:00.8 |
| 2007 | Pompeii Ruler | Marasco | Tawqeet | 2:01.5 |
| 2006 | Roman Arch | Candy Vale | Our Smoking Joe | 2:02.8 |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | Winning Belle | Lad Of The Manor | 1:58.7 |
| 2004 | Lonhro | Delzao | Elvstroem | 2:01.6 |
| 2003 | Northerly | Natural Blitz | Don Eduardo | 2:01.4 |
| 2002 | Old Comrade | Northerly | Rain Gauge | 1:59.8 |
| 2001 | Northerly | Hit The Roof | Kaapstad Way | 1:59.4 |
| 2000 | Intergaze | Arena | Streak | 2:00.9 |
| 1999 | Istidaad | Intergaze | Thackeray | 1:59.4 |
| 1998 | Dane Ripper | Delinquent | Marble Halls | 2:02.4 |
| 1997 | Octagonal | Gold City | Juggler | 2:01.0 |
| 1996 | Saintly | Vialli | Peep On The Sky | 2:02.1 |
| 1995 | Starstruck | Jeune | Station Hand | 2:00.4 |
| 1994 | Durbridge | Station Hand | Mahogany | 2:02.2 |
| 1993 | Veandercross | Star Of The Realm | Fraar | 2:01.3 |
| 1992 | Lets Elope | Shivas Revenge | Prince Salieri | 2:00.0 |
| 1991 | Better Loosen Up | Vo Rogue | Prince Salieri | 2:01.6 |
| 1990 | Vo Rogue | Better Loosen Up | Super Impose | 2:00.9 |
| 1989 | Vo Rogue | Super Impose | Our Poetic Prince | 2:01.6 |
| 1988 | Dandy Andy | Vo Rogue | Bonecrusher | 2:01.5 |
