BRISBANE CUP
The state of Queensland is host to a number of quality group events throughout its annual racing calendar, the most anticipated of which is the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Running throughout May and June each year, the Brisbane Winter Carnival is host to eight elite race days including the richest and most prestigious, the Stradbroke Handicap Day in June. Aside from the from the three Group 1 races of the day, the Stradbroke Handicap, the TJ Smith and the Queensland Derby, the Group 2 Brisbane Cup was also conducted on this day in 2009. However, the Brisbane Cup is usually held the following Monday. This is the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in Queensland, which means even more fans and punters are drawn to the track; with no work on Monday the racing enthusiasts can really enjoy the day!
The $300 000 Brisbane Cup is one of the best staying distance handicaps of the carnival raced over 2400m. It is open to horses of any age or sex, and attracts a highly competitive field of local gallopers to the esteemed Eagle Farm racecourse each year. Some interstate entrants have seen Brisbane Cup success in the past including Viewed, who won the 2008 Brisbane Cup and followed this up with an illustrious Melbourne Cup victory at the next Spring Carnival. 1961 saw the legendary Tulloch carry the heaviest weight to victory in the Brisbane Cup with 62.5kg. The winner to carry the heaviest weight in recent years was Scenic Shot in 2009 with 60kg.
There are a number of great lead-up races held earlier in the carnival that all punters should look to as an indication for their Brisbane Cup bets, including the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) held a fortnight before, and the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2020m) a month before.
First run in 1866, the Brisbane Cup originated as a principal race run over 18 furlongs. The distance was reduced the following year in 1867 to 16 furlongs. For the years in 1883 and 1888 the race distance was shortened even further to 14 furlongs. From 1942 to 1945 the Brisbane Cup was not held due to the war, it resumed again in 1946 and was run over 12 furlongs, going back to 16 furlongs the next year. When the metric system was introduced to Australia in 1973, the event was conducted over 3200m and was elevated to Group 1 status in 1980. From 1980 the Brisbane Cup was Group 1 event raced over the traditional Cup distance of 3200m, the same as the Melbourne and Sydney Cups. However, in 2007 the race length was shortened to 2400m and its status was demoted to Group 2. The Brisbane Cup is still considered one of the chief lead-ups to the Melbourne Cup.
The most successful trainer in the Brisbane Cup, producing an impressive five champions is TJ Smith with winners in 1984, 1974, 1941, 1965 and 1961.
The Brisbane Cup is one of your last chances to make some great money in the Queensland Winter Carnival, so make sure you check out the excellent array of odds and bet types open on the race with Australia’s leading bookmakers.
Brisbane Cup – Race Details:
Date: Early June
Location: Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane
Race Distance: 2400m
Race Status: Group 2
Race Conditions: Open Handicap
Stakes: $300 000
First Run: 1866
Brisbane Cup – Recent Winners & Placegetters:
Year Winner Second Third Winner’s Time
2009 Scenic Shot Ready To Lift Tinseltown 2:34.6
2008 Viewed Fulmonti Sky Biscuit 2:35.9
2007 Newport Lilakyn Ice Chariot 2:28.1
2006 Art Success Gorgeous George Sculpter 3:22.4
2005 Portland Singa Shamrock Shore Regal Punch 3:20.8
2004 Danestorm Pentastic Upsetthym 3:20.2
2003 Piachay Country Tyrone Homewrecker 3:22.5
2002 Prized Gem Majestic Avenue Nauders 3:24.6
2001 Star Covet Citi Habit Karasi 3:17.4
2000 Yippyio Sharscay Karasi 3:24.9
1999 Sheer Kingston Perpetual Check Ears’ Ronny 3:23.7
1998 Praise Indeed Yobro Star Covet 3:22.3
1997 Desert Chill Sapio Sharscay 3:24.6
1996 Dupain Maxam Super Slew 3:20.6
1995 Desert Chill Protaras Bay Few Are Chosen 3:18.8
1994 Sky Flyer Cool Credit Cross Swords 3:15.7
1993 Barbut Delcia Cool Affair Silk Ali 3:19.8
1992 Grooming Mr Eurostar Mountain Rule 3:20.1
1991 Just A Dancer Spring Thaw Donegal Mist 3:32.8
1990 Shuzohra Lord Hybrow King Aussie 3:32.0
1989 Coshking Lord Hybrow The Brotherhood 3:24.5
1988 Lord Hybrow Pakura Boy Round The World 3:26.2
