New Zealand Trotting Cup
| Group I race | |
| Location |
Addington Raceway Christchurch, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1904 |
| Race type | Standardbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3200m (2 miles) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | Left-handed oval |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
| Purse | NZ $765,000 (2016) |
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One (G1) harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. As of 2013[update] the prize was NZ$650,000. Previously the total prize money was $1.2 million in 2008, reduced to $1 million in 2009 and $750,00 in 2010. The total prize money for the 2011 and 2012 races was $600,000.
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 (16 December in reality). 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. Most flock to Addington for the glitz and glamour of the event.
The cup has been won by three times by three horses, 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.
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 mudlark Lordship beat the hot favorite Cardigan Bay. It did rain in 2007, but only after the New Zealand Trotting Cup had already been run.
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