New Zealand Trotting Cup


The New Zealand Cup for standardbred horses, also known as either the New Zealand Trotting Cup or the New Zealand Pacing Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand.
It is generally considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event.
The race is held during Show Week on the second Tuesday in November, three days before the Show Day public holiday. The New Zealand Free For All is held on Show Day. The public holiday in Christchurch is the observance of the Canterbury Anniversary Holiday. The race meeting, along with the New Zealand Cup for thoroughbreds and greyhounds, forms part of Canterbury's carnival week, along with the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show. Until 1999, the A&P show was held at showgrounds adjacent to Addington Raceway.
The New Zealand Trotting cup is considered as Canterbury's biggest day on its social calendar. Many flock to Addington for the glitz and glamour of the event, rather than the horse racing.

Cup history

Three horses have won the race three times, they are Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love. False Step later went to the United States where he beat the acknowledged American champion of the time, Adios Butler. A number of horses have won the race twice including Harold Logan and Highland Fling who both won their second cups off the very large handicap of 60 yards and Lazarus.
In 1929, 1930 and 1931 the New Zealand Cup was run with heats and a final.
In 2007 a crowd of 25,000 people packed the race track. This Tuesday is also known for having remarkable weather, it had not rained at the New Zealand Trotting Cup since 1962, the year that Lordship beat the hot favorite Cardigan Bay. It did rain in 2007, but only after the New Zealand Trotting Cup had already been run.
In 1963 Cardigan Bay who is arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever horse won the Cup and also won the Inter Dominion in Australia. Cardigan Bay, in association with New Jersey master reinsman Stanley Dancer went on to become the first million dollar winner in the sport's history.
A common feature of the race is the inclusion of Australian trained runners and occasionally they are the winners such as Steel Jaw in 1983, Lightning Blue in 1987 and Arden Rooney in 2015.
The 2008 running of the race was won by Changeover, driven by David Butcher and trained by Geoff Small, in race/world record time. The race was delayed by over 6 minutes due to fractious horses and a damaged wheel to one of the favoured runners. After being slow away, Butcher moved forward to lead, and soon after took a trail behind one of the other favourites, Baileys Dream. In an exciting finish, Butcher used the passing lane to pass Baileys Dream, with Report for Duty third for Anthony Butt. It was another dream result for the ATC Trotting Syndicate, who own the horse. The last horse home, favoured runner Monkey King, was credited with a time of 3.58.7, which was fast enough to have won every NZ Cup, except the 2007 running, won by Flashing Red.
Terror To Love equaled the record for most wins in 2013, having won the previous two years. Despite breaking stride at the start of the race, giving the leaders a 15-length head start, Terror To Love made up the distance slowly and worked towards the front, taking the lead in the back stretch of the final lap. The horse managed to hold off late-charging runners to record the unusual win by a head. The race announcer called the race the greatest win in the New Zealand Trotting Cup's history. The race time was the second fastest behind the 2008 win by Changeover.
The 2015 running of the New Zealand Cup was won by Australian-based horse, Arden Rooney, in a slowish overall time of 3.57.4, driven by Kerryn Manning. It was the first time in the history of the race that a female had driven the winner. Arden Rooney was given a leisurely time in front after a great beginning and with a last half-mile in 55 seconds under a vigorous drive, gave little else a chance to catch it. Subsequently, the driver was given a two-week suspension and $1000 fine for "Excessive use of whip". It was her second fine for a similar offense in New Zealand within 8 days.
In 2016 the race was run and won by the dominant Purdon/Rasmussen training combination, with their horse Lazarus. It was won in a very fast time in completely dominant fashion by 10 lengths, running 3.53.1 for the 2-mile event. The Purdon/Rasmussen combination filled 3 of the first 4 finishing positions.
The stake or total prize money for the New Zealand Cup has fluctuated over the years:
In 2016, the ZM Body Art final was held at the Trotting Cup.

Records

Most wins:
Most wins by a driver:
The horses that contest the New Zealand Cup commonly compete in various races that have become seen as traditional lead in races. The winner of the New Zealand Cup is usually one that wins or performs strongly in these races.
On the Friday following the New Zealand Cup, Canterbury Anniversary day, many of the same horses will contest the New Zealand Free For All.
Year
Hannon Memorial Oamaru
Ashburton Flying Stakes Ashburton
Kaikoura Cup Kaikoura
New Zealand Cup Addington
New Zealand Free For All Addington
Notes
2019SpankemSpankemClassie BrigadeCruz BromacChase AucklandIn the NZ Cup Spankem was second, Classie Brigade third
2018Dream about meEamon MaguireSpankemThefixerCruz Bromac
2017Titan BannerLazarusLazarusLazarusUltimate MacheteLazarus won the 2017 Interdomnion final
2016Franco NelsonLazarusFranco NelsonLazarusLazarusFranco Nelson was 6th in the New Zealand Cup
2015Mighty Flying MacSmoldaArden RooneyArden RooneyTiger Tara
2014Tiger TaraAdore MeArden RooneyAdore MeChristen Me
2013Franco LedgerTerror To LoveFly Like An EagleTerror To LovePembrook Benny
2012Franco LedgerTerror To LoveSushi SushiTerror To LoveGold Ace
2011Monkey KingAuckland ReactorSmiling ShardTerror To LoveSmoken Up
2010Cullen's CreekStunnin CullenSmiling ShardMonkey KingMonkey King
2009BondyKarloo MickNearea FrancoMonkey KingMonkey King
2008Ohoka RebelBaileys DreamReport For DutyChangeoverAuckland Reactor
2007Baileys DreamTributeBondyFlashing RedWaipawa Lad
2006The Flyin DoctorFlashing RedTributeFlashing RedSly Flyin
2005Bobs Blue BoyHarnetts CreekImagine ThatMainland BannerHoward Bromac
2004Mister DGElsuHarnetts CreekJust an excuseJust an excuse
2003Jack CadeJack CadeFalcon RiseJust an excuseJack CadeJack Cade was 3rd in the New Zealand Cup
2002Panky's PacerYoung RufusDisproveGracious KnightYulestar
2001Kym's GirlPanky's PacerPic Me PocketsKym's GirlYoung Rufus
2000Chloe HanoverYulestarBogan FellaYulestarAgua CalienteYulestar also won the 2001 Interdominion final
1999Freeway DonHolmes DGRitchiHomin HosedHolmes DG
1998IraklisChristian CullenBradshawChristian CullenChristian Cullen
1997IraklisIraklisSharp And TelfordIraklisBrabham

Top horses who did not win the New Zealand Cup

The list of New Zealand Cup winners includes many of the best horses New Zealand has produced as well as some great Australian horses. However, some very distinguished horses that have attempted but failed to win the Cup include: