The Australian Cup is a Group 1 weight-for-age race held at Flemington Racecourse each autumn.  Run over a distance of 2000 metres for $1M in prizemoney, this event is an important part of Super Saturday of Racing each March.  The Australian Cup has been run since 1863, making it one of the longest standing events on the Australian calendar.

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The Australian Cup was once the nation’s premier long distance event, longer than the Melbourne Cup at 2 1/4 miles or 3627 metres.  In 1943, however, this race was shortened to 17 furlongs, the equivalent of just over 2 miles or 3528 metres.  The race distance for the Australian Cup has been shortened a few times since then, dropping to 2821 metres in 1963, 2015 metres in 1964, and 2000 metres in 1973.

Race conditions for the Australian Cup have also changed over time, with this event run under handicap conditions between 1863-1978, weight-for-age conditions between 1978-81, handicap conditions again between 1982-86, and weight-for-age conditions from 1987 onwards.  A Principal race for most of its life, the Australian Cup graduated to a Group 1 race in 1979.

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A number of notable horses have won this event over the years, including Zipping in 2010, Makybe Diva in 2005, Lonhro in 2004, Northerly in 2003 and 2001, Octagonal in 1997, Saintly in 1996, Better Loosen Up in 1991, and Vo Rogue in 1990-89.  In the last few years, winners of the Australian Cup include Zipping in 2010, Shocking in 2011, Manighar in 2012, and Super Cool in 2013.

The most successful trainer in the Australian Cup has been Bart Cummings, with a total of thirteen wins in 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1992, 1996, 1998, and 2008.  The most successful jockey is Tom Hales, who has won the Australian Cup an amazing eight times – Lurline in 1875, Richmond in 1876, Savanaka in 1879, Navigator in 1883, Morpeth in 1884, Trident in 1887, Carlyon in 1888, and Dreadnought in 1890.