New Zealand Trotting Cup fun facts

2021 IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington – 5.50pm Tuesday Nov 9, Addington Raceway

1. There are 15 horses in the New Zealand Cup, it’s raced over two miles (3200m) on the second Tuesday of November every year. It’s set to start at 5.50pm.

2. The Cup has been running since 1904, this will be the 118th running of the Great Race.

3. Though called the New Zealand Trotting Cup it is actually for the Pacers. The trotting version of the New Zealand Cup is The Dominion on Show Day (Friday Nov 12).

4. The race record for the 3200m is 3:53.1 set by two-time winner Lazarus in 2016.

5. This year the New Zealand Cup is worth $600,000, that’s an increase on last year. In 2008 it was $1.2m, the only other time it hit seven figures was in 2009 ($1m). Of the $600,000, $330,000 goes to the connections of the winner.

6. Three horses have won the New Zealand Cup three times – Terror To Love (2011-12-13), False Step (1958-59-60), Indianapolis (1934-35-36).

7. If Mark Purdon drives Self Assured to victory this year he will join Ricky May as the only driver to have won the New Zealand Cup seven times.

8. Only two women have won the New Zealand Cup. Kerryn Manning was the first with Arden Rooney in 2015, followed by Natalie Rasmussen with Thefixer in 2018. Rasmussen will drive third favourite South Coast Arden in this year’s Cup.

9. This is the first time the New Zealand Cup will be held behind closed doors. Alert Level Two restrictions mean there will be no crowds, though owners of horses racing, essential staff and some sponsors will be on course.

10. The last North Island horse to win the New Zealand Cup was Changeover in 2008. This year the north’s top chances are Copy That and South Coast Arden.

11. John Dunn has his 11th Cup drive. He’s yet to win and he will drive Classie Brigade, one of the favoured runners, who is trained by his wife Jenna and his dad Robert. Robert has previously trained a NZ Cup winner, Mainland Banner in 2005.

12. 12 races on the card, from 12.15pm – 6.25pm.

Check out the Trotting Cup highlights here

Harness Racing New Zealand