Awapuni Gold Cup

Awapuni Gold Cup
Group II race
Beau Vite,1940 winner
LocationAwapuni Racecourse
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Inaugurated1915
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.awapuniracing.co.nz/RACING-INFO.aspx
Race information
Distance2,000 metres (1+1⁄4 miles)
SurfaceTurf
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
Purse$100,000 (2021)

The Awapuni Gold Cup is held annually in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is a set weight and penalties race over 2,000 metres.[1][2]

History

First held in 1915, the race has been won by many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses including:

Desert Gold and Sir Slick have won the race three times.

Awapuni Gold Cup winners, Desert Gold and La Mer also won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, in 1915 and 1976 respectively.

Recent winners

Nightmarch, 1931 &1932 winner.


Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024 [4] (Trentham) Nereus 55 Savabeel Eudora Joe Doyle Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray, Cambridge 2:11.87 (soft) He's A Doozy 58 Skyman 56
2023 [5] Brando 57 Savabeel Saoirse Opie Bosson Mark Walker 2:02.65 (soft) Colorado Star 56 Kelly Coe 53
2022[6] Zola Express 54.5 Shamexpress Zolana, by Golan Chris Dell Janelle Millar 2:01.99 (good) Tiptronic 59 Vernanme 57
2021[7] Beauden 56 Bullbars (Aus) Belle Femme (Aus) Ryan Elliot Team Rogerson, Tuhikaramea 2:07.12 Prise De Fer 57 Callsign Mav 58
2020 no race due to COVID-19
2019[8] Jacksstar 55 Zed (NZ) Star Guest (NZ) Chris Johnson Gary Vile 2:02.03 Sampson 56 Authentic Paddy 58
2018[9] Our Abbadean 53 Lookin At Lucky (USA) Highland Lights (AUS) Danielle Johnson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 2:02.97 Five To Midnight 56 Sampson 57
2017[10] Sampson 56 Dubai Destination (USA) Magic Star (AUS) Reese Jones Howie Mathews 2:06.51 Five To Midnight 55 Woodsman 55
2016[11] Maygrove 57 Authorized (Ire) Lady Zhivago (NZ) Matt Cameron Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 2:09.68 Trojan Warrior 55 King Kamada 55[12]
2015[13] Iamishwara 58 Keeninsky She’s Heroic (NZ) Lisa Allpress Antony Kaye 2:04.04 Jubilate 55 King Krovanh (Aus) 55
2014[14] Soriano 53.5 Savabeel (AUS) Call Me Lily (NZ) Noel Harris Graeme & Debbie Rogerson 2:05.06 Military Move 56 Nashville 59
2013[15] Better Than Ever 58 French Deputy Songfest Hayden Tinsley Jason Bridgman 2:02.43 Ransomed 56 Spiro 55
2012[16] Riomoral 55.5 Captain Rio Immoral Phillip J Turner (A) Karen McQuade 2:02.58 Back In Black 55 Doctor Fremantle 55
2011[17] Hold It Harvey 57 King Cugat Daly Charm Jamie Bullard Terri Rae 2:02.72 Dawn Ghost 53.5 Can’t Keeper Down 53
2010[18] Sir Slick 58 Volksraad Miss Opera Samantha Collett Graeme Nicholson & Paul Allbon 2:01.55 Manonamission 55 Red Ruler 58
2009 MacO'Reilly 59 O'Reilly Double Babu Hayden Tinsley David Haworth 2:05.01 Sir Slick 59 Spectacular Icon 55
2008 Sir Slick 59 Volksraad Miss Opera Bruce Herd Graeme Nicholson & Paul Albon, Te Aroha 2:03.62 Chettak 59 Butch James 59
2007 Sir Slick 59 Volksraad Miss Opera Bruce Herd Graeme Nicholson 2:01.37 All Square 59 Arabian Nights 56.5
2006 Tusker 56 Volksraad Stella Artois David Walsh Murray Baker 2:02.13 Kerry O’Reilly 58 Distinctly Secret 58
2005 Distinctly Secret 58 Distinctly North Te Akau Secret Jamie Bullard Mark Walker, Matamata 2:02.85 Showgirl 57 Penitentiary 57
2004 (Dead heat) Irish Rover 58 Kenfair Sterling Lea David Walker Eddie Carson 2:02.52 - Lough Rinn 58
2004 (Dead heat) Distinctly Secret 58 Distinctly North Te Akau Secret Opie Bosson Mark Walker, Matamata 2:02.52 - Lough Rinn 58
2003 Maze 56 Housebuster (USA) Strangeways Gary Grylls 2:04.60 Semper Fidelis 56 Wolf Creek 57
2002 Cent Home 58 Lord Ballina (Aus) Centuria David Walker Jim Wallace, Opaki 2:05.55 Perceptible 58 College Union 56
2001 Cronus 56 Zabeel Foreign Copy Vincent Colgan 2:02.19 No Alimony 58 Hero 57
2000 Cruzeiro 57 Kaapstad Janeiro J Walker Geoff Georgetti, Marton 2:03.93 Kingdom Come 58 In My Time 57
1999 Emerald 56.5 Grosvenor Jennifer Rush Mark Sweeney 2:00.74 Aerosmith 56 Cruzeiro 58
1998 Magnet Bay Gold And Ivory (USA) Rivermist Peter Johnson D B Frye, Rangiora 2:04.29 Sapio 58 Denholm 58
1997 Interval 57 Paris Opera (AUS) Resolute Lee Rutherford Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini 2:09.02 Sapio 58 All In Fun 58

List of other winners

  • 1915 Chortle
  • 1916 Desert Gold
  • 1917 Desert Gold
  • 1918 Desert Gold
  • 1919 Sasanof
  • 1920 Amythas
  • 1921 Sasanof
  • 1922 Marqueteur
  • 1923 Thespian
  • 1924 Ballymena
  • 1925 Suggestion
  • 1926 Rapine
  • 1927 Commendation
  • 1928 Star Stranger
  • 1929 Rapier
  • 1930 Vertigern
  • 1931 Nightmarch
  • 1932 Nightmarch
  • 1933 Autopay
  • 1934 Silver Ring
  • 1935 Silver Ring
  • 1936 Greek Shepherd
  • 1937 Wild Chase
  • 1938 Stretto
  • 1939 Beaupartir
  • 1940 Beau Vite
  • 1941 Kindergarten
  • 1946 Langue Dor
  • 1947 Beau Le Havre
  • 1948 Voltaic
  • 1949 Lord Mania
  • 1950 Beaumaris
  • 1951 Mainbrace
  • 1952 Hutton
  • 1953 Gendarme
  • 1954 Golden Tan
  • 1955 Redcraze
  • 1956 Syntax
  • 1957 Berne
  • 1958 Bridie
  • 1959 Picaroon
  • 1960 Picaroon
  • 1961 Ilumquh
  • 1962 Key
  • 1963 Moy
  • 1964 Tatua
  • 1965 Royal Duty
  • 1966 Palisade
  • 1967 Terrific
  • 1968 Impetus
  • 1969 Aquarelle
  • 1970 Bardall [19]
  • 1971 Game
  • 1972 Young Ida
  • 1973 Young Ida
  • 1974 Show Gate
  • 1975 Hi Bing
  • 1976 Grey Way
  • 1977 Balmerino
  • 1978 La Mer
  • 1979 Regal Band
  • 1980 Serendiper
  • 1981 Mun Lee
  • 1982 The Twinkle
  • 1983 Commissionaire
  • 1984 Commissionaire
  • 1985 Catiere
  • 1986 Abit Leica
  • 1987 Lacka Reason
  • 1988 Horlicks
  • 1989 The Phantom
  • 1990 Grey Philae
  • 1991 Fun On The Run
  • 1992 Seamist
  • 1993 Calm Harbour
  • 1994 Strategic
  • 1995 Kay Row
  • 1996 Sapio

Associated races

The Awapuni Gold Cup is currently raced in late March or early April on the same day as the:

  • Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m for 2YO horses.
  • Group 3 Manawatu Classic over 2000m for 3YO horses.
  • Listed Flying Handicap over 1400m for Open Handicap runners.

Awapuni Racecourse is also the venue for the:

  • Listed Marton Cup, an open handicap over 2200m in January.
  • Group 3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes over 2000m at weight for age for fillies and mares in April.
  • Listed Anzac Mile, open handicap in late April
  • Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup, an open handicap over 1600m in May.
  • Group 3 Metric Mile, an open handicap over 1550m in September
  • Group 3 Eulogy Stakes, in mid-December over 1550m for 3YO fillies.
  • Listed Feilding Gold Cup, an open handicap over 2100m in November.
  • Group 3 Manawatu Cup, an open handicap over 2200m in December.
  • Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, a Weight For Age race over 1400m in December.

See also

References

  1. ^ Dillon, Mike (26 March 2009). "Racing: Sir Slick must emulate great Desert Gold". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Awapuni Gold Cup Details". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
  3. ^ "Awapuni Racing - Awapuni Gold Cup".
  4. ^ "Race 6 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 6 APR 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  5. ^ "Race 8 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 1 APR 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  6. ^ "Race 7 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 2 APR 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ^ "Race 9 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 3 APR 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ^ "Race 8 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 30 MAR 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. ^ "Race 8 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 31 MAR 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  10. ^ "Race 8 CITY OF PALMERSTON NORTH AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 1 APR 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ^ "Race 8 KAMADA PARK AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 2 APR 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ^ "A late racing starter but a major investor: Kevin Pratt dies, aged 67". 13 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Race 9 EZIBUY AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 28 MAR 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  14. ^ "Race 9 EZIBUY AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 29 MAR 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ^ "Race 9 LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 30 MAR 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  16. ^ "Race 9 LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 31 MAR 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ^ "Race 9 LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 2 APR 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ^ "Race 9 LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP at MANAWATU RC on 3 APR 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  19. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz.

Sources

Awapuni Gold Cup Winners