History of the Australian Cup

Australian Cup: a chronology

The chase for the sport’s “Cup of Dreams” commenced in 1958 (with the exception of 1963 when the Cup was not held due to the MGRA relocating from the old North Melbourne track to Olympic Park).

From 1964 to 1995, the Australian Cup was synonymous with Olympic Park. But for two years (1996-97), the Cup was staged at Sandown Park due to the closure of Olympic Park because of the City Link freeway project and the MGRA’s subsequent search for a new home.

However, regardless of venue, the Australian Cup has always been the Australian Cup.

It is a race for champions… and only champions win it!

Obviously the 67th Cup winner will join a compendium of greats – legends of the loam!

The MGRA’s blue ribbon sprint has been won by such exalted names as Rookie Rebel (1958), Worthing (1965), Benjamin John (1969), Ungwilla Lad (1975), Tangaloa (1980), Eaglehawk Star (1985), Ginger (1989), China Trip (1992 & 1993), Mancunian Girl (1994), Tenthill Doll (1996), Brett Lee (2001), Bogie Leigh (2004), Pure Octane (2005), Velocette (2009), 2011 Dyna Lachlan, 2016 Dyna Double One and 2017 Fanta Bale who are all indelibly inscribed on the Australian Cup honour roll.

Over 66 years, the Australian Cup has experienced a stakes spiral.

For instance, when Rookie Rebel (1/4F) took out the inaugural 1958 event – from the back mark of eight yards at North Melbourne (675yds) – his owner-trainer, Wally Hooper, landed an 800-pound ($1600) purse.

Other significant first prize money increases occurred in 1970 when The Smoother (7/4F) snared $10,000 for Norm Kay; 1974 when Kim’s Monaro (5/2) landed $20,000 for Bob Doak; 1979 when Boundless (6/1) took home $30,000 for the Lew-Fatt family; 1983 when Drop Of Wine (1/1Fav) grabbed $50,000 for John Hellingman; 1991 when Franklin Deano (11/4) won $65,000 for Ned Bryant; and 1996 when Tenthill Doll (1/2Fav) secured $100,000 for Harry Sarkis. However, the Cup winner’s purse decreased in 1994 ($50,000) and 1995 ($55,000)

But in 2006, South Australian sprint siren Miss Spicy ($28.80) – owned in Queensland by Sarah Pringle – took home $125,000 for Troy Murray.

Then in 2009 Velocette ($8.20) took home $150,000 for owner Ron McCullagh and trainer Graeme Bate and then in 2010 we again saw the first prize rise to $175,000 when won by Dyna Lachlan. Only to sky rocket in 2013 to the equal second highest prizemoney event with the Easter Egg a whopping $250,000 when won by another Dailly trainer star Spud Regis.

In 2015 the Cup provided a fairy tale win for popular Gippsland couple Gerry and Rose Kleeven, it had taken them 40 years to breed and race a Group 1 winner but Luca Neveelk held off all the fast finishers to win the Cup in 29.96 leading all the way from box four. A large number of family supporters were on hand to cheer home the winner. In fact, so loud were the post-race cheers that MC Rob Testa remarked, “This is undoubtedly one of the most popular winners in Australian Cup history.”

In 2016 Dyna Double One became just the third greyhound in world history to clock $1M in prize money by taking out $355,000 Group 1 Australian Cup, in what was his last race start it was a fitting end to a very decorated career, including the big race double after winning the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

In 2017 an amazing performance by Fanta Bale added the Australian Cup to her impressive resume Underrated but ultra-consistent she claimed her third Group 1 trophy at The Meadows – and her first as a sprinter – with a surprise victory. Trained by Robert Britton for Australia’s most successful breeder Paul Wheeler, Fanta Bale had won two 600m features at The Meadows, the Hume Cup in October and Rookie Rebel invitational on the opening night of the Australian Cup Carnival. After winning the Rookie Rebel Britton opted to revert to sprinting for the Australian Cup rather than testing the daughter of 2012 Topgun hero David Bale and US-bred dam Ucme Typhoon as a stayer and his decision proved to be a $250,000 masterstroke. She was to race superbly right throughout the year winning over one million in Stake money

In 2018 Anakie greyhound trainer Andrea Dailly won her fourth Australian Cup (525m) when Hecton Bale won in a sensational 29.53sec at The Meadows last night. Settling in second position behind Hasten Slowly, Hecton Bale found the lead in the back straight and won by a whopping five lengths, much to the delight of an emotional Dailly. It was his 13th win from 26 starts, and the $250,000 first prize took his prize money earnings up to $336,753. Hasten Slowly ($36.10) finished in second place, with Queenslander Opal Nera ($7.30) third.

2019 – Dyna Patty ($3.90Fav) delivered trainer Andrea Dailly her fifth TAB Australian Cup (525m) tonight at The Meadows with a scintillating front-running display. After exiting box one, the daughter of Fernando Bale and Unix Bale hit the first turn with Black Opium before showing a superior turn of foot entering the back straight. Dyna Patty eventually scored by two lengths over Black Opium ($8.50) and Deliver ($6.20) in a scorching 29.58sec.

2020 – Anthony Azzopardi’s golden run has continued with Fernando’s Riot annexing Saturday night’s Group 1 TAB Australian Cup Final. Going into the showpiece event largely discarded by punters after drawing awkwardly in box six, the son of Fernando Bale and Ready To Riot miraculously found himself trailing tearaway leader Hardaway Winnie turning into the back straight. “I’m so proud of Fernando’s Riot,” Azzopardi beamed after the 29.72 rails hugging victory. “He’s spent his career pretty much in the shadow of Whiskey (Riot) … if you told me a month ago he’d win us an Australian Cup I would have said you were joking. I’m just thrilled; he’s a beautiful animal.”

2021 Western Australian superstar Tommy Shelby reigned supreme in a memorable finish to the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup on Saturday night, prevailing in a spine-tingling duel down The Meadows home straight with Fernando Bluey. Trained by Steve Withers, who also bred and part-owns the ‘people’s dog’, Tommy Shelby overcame box four to gun down leader Fernando Bluey in the shadows of the post to claim his second Group 1 trophy, having previously won the Hobart Thousand in December.

2022 Strength in numbers paid off for Andrea Dailly when Lala Kiwi continued her recent domination of the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night. Lala Kiwi, runner-up in the G1 Melbourne Cup last November and one of ‘Team Dailly’s’ four finalists, gave the all-conquering Anakie kennel its sixth Australian Cup victory since 2010. The previous Dailly winners were Dyna Lachlan (2010), Spud Regis (2013), Dyna Double One (2015), Hecton Bale (2018) and Dyna Patty (2019), all of which except Spud Regis were bred and raced by the late, great industry icon Paul Wheeler, who passed away suddenly last October. It was an extra special achievement this time around, as all four Dailly finalists – Lala Kiwi (1st), Gypsy Bun (3rd), Daph’s Ascend (4th) and Zippy Tesla (5th) – were home-bred products. “It’s quite exciting when you breed them,” co-trainer Tom Dailly told Sky Racing’s Jason Adams.“It would do (feel different to previous wins), to George (twin brother), more than anybody, because he breeds them and he’s done a sensational job with what he’s been breeding lately.”Lala Kiwi (May ’19 Aussie Infrared x Lala Shim) was the fastest qualifier for the $300,000 to-the-winner Cup final, winning her heat in 29.61sec, and she started $3.80 favourite from Box 4.

2023 “Evergreen warrior” Fernando Mick turned back the clock – joining exalted company – courtesy of his brilliant victory in the $458,500 Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night. The ageless star, which turned four on February 5 and was the oldest runner in the final, notched his second G1 success in exhilarating frontrunning fashion. Prepared by champion Lara trainer David Geall, Fernando Mick became only the fourth greyhound to complete the Australian Cup-Hobart Thousand double. He joined an illustrious list comprising Rookie Rebel, Benjamin John and Tommy Shelby. “I’m pretty dumbfounded… To win an Australian Cup, I’m over the moon.” Perhaps even more impressively, Fernando Mick – runner-up in last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup to Yachi Bale – put his name up on a pedestal with nine superstars of the sport that have finished second in a Melbourne Cup and first in an Australian Cup – Take a Bow (1962), Fawn Nulla (1966/1967), Benjamin John (1969), Half Your Luck (1973), Royal Rumpus (1981/1982), Eaglehawk Star (1984/1985), Tenhill Doll (1995/1996), Dyna Lachlan (2009/2010) and Lala Kiwi (2021/2022). NB. Ironically, Lala Kiwi finished second to the Geall-trained Koblenz in the 2021 Melbourne Cup. He also won the 2018 Melbourne Cup with My Redeemer. Occupying the awkward ‘green’ trap (Box 6), Fernando Mick flew out and quickly put the $300,000 winner’s cheque beyond doubt. Only one other greyhound, Fernando’s Riot (2020) has won from box six in the past 20 years. Fernando Mick ($6.40) notched his 35th win from 101 starts defeating Baby Jaycee ($7.90) by 3.4 lengths with SA prodigy Victa Damian ($4.20) a further 1 length away third in 29.85sec. It was his 10th win from 26 starts over 525m at The Meadows and the first prize catapulted his stakes to a massive $851,776.

2024 Champion trainer Jason Thompson has climbed virtually every mountain in greyhound racing. But he finally reached his ‘Everest’ in the sport when Tim Zoo – named after Aussie boxing world champion, Tim Tszyu – scored a KO in the $450,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup final (525m) at The Meadows on Saturday night. Incredibly, Thompson – who has won practically every ‘major’ you could name – snared the ‘Cup of Dreams’ after having 25 finalists in the past two decades. Since 2004, Thompson has had the following Australian Cup placegetters –Monsters Inc (2004), El Galo (2008 & 2009), El Brooklyn (2013) and Black Frenzy (2016). He’s also finished third with Oxley Tiger (2005) and Aeroplane Bob (2017). In 2019, Thompson’s wife Seona prepared Black Opium (2nd) and Deliver (3rd). Occupying the coveted ‘red’ alley (Box 1), Tim Zoo ($4.20) defeated a gallant Schillaci ($10.20) by 1.47L, with Launch Code ($23.40) a further 0.33L away third in a slick 29.71sec. Thompson’s other finalist, Alpha Zulu ($7.00), finished fourth – 4.57L off his kennelmate.

Statistically, from the 66 Cups held, favourites have saluted on 26 occasions.

The shortest-priced winner is obviously Rookie Rebel (1/4Fav) and the longest-priced winner is Tangaloa (33/1) – trained by Joe Hili – who won in 1980. Tangaloa was also runner-up in 1979.

In the battle of the sexes, the dogs lead the bitches 46 to 18. And the winning box draws are (Box 1) 19; (Box 2) 9; (Box 3) 8; (Box 4) 5; (Box 5) 6; (Box 6) 6; (Box 7) 5; (Box 8) 9. NB. There was a dead-heat in 2003 – Blackjack Tom and Most Awesome.

And there has been only one dual winner – China Trip (1992/93).

Australian Cup Honour Roll

Year Winner Time Dist. Track Year Winner Time Dist. Track
1958 Rookie Rebel 36.25sec 675y NM 1994 Mancunian Girl 29.58sec 511m OLP
1959 Rocky Ros 36.50sec 675y NM 1995 Bonjase 30.02sec 511m OLP
1960 Meadow Vale 36.50sec 675y NM O/PK closed – MGRA move to Sandown Park
1961 Copeland 36.70sec 675y NM 1996 Tenthill Doll 29.74sec 515m SAN
1962 Take A Bow 36.44sec 675y NM 1997 Smooth Rumble 30.00sec 515m SAN
1963 Race Not Held – MGRA move to O/PK 1998 Fibba 30.39sec 515m SAN
1964 Old Tops 30.60sec 560y OLP Construction completed on Broadmeadows track
1965 Worthing 29.15sec 560y OLP 1999 Mandatario 30.23sec 518m MEA
1966 Billy Vee 30.60sec 560y OLP 2000 Arvo’s Express 29.92sec 518m MEA
1967 Fawn Nulla 30.20sec 560y OLP 2001 Brett Lee 29.49sec 518m MEA
1968 Swanston Lass 30.14sec 560y OLP 2002 Isa Brown 30.33sec 525m MEA
1969 Benjamin John 30.30sec 560y OLP 2003 D/H Blackjack Tom & Most Awesome MEA
1970 The Smoother 30.60sec 560y OLP 2004 Bogie Leigh 29.92ec 525m MEA
1971 Black Diro 30.60sec 560y OLP 2005 Pure Octane 29.70sec 525m MEA
1972 Blackamoor Lad 30.10sec 560y OLP 2006 Miss Spicy 30.11sec 525m MEA
1973 Half Your Luck 30.32sec 511m OLP 2007 Pete’s Conquest 29.77sec 525m MEA
1974 Kim’s Monaro 30.34sec 511m OLP 2008 Tasman Queen 29.97sec 525m MEA
1975 Ungwilla Lad 30.75sec 511m OLP 2009 Velocette 29.77sec 525m MEA
1976 Odious 30.69sec 511m OLP 2010 Dyna Lachlan 29.84sec 525m MEA
1977 Listowel Sue 30.41sec 511m OLP 2011 St. Pierre 29.90sec 525m MEA
1978 Count D’Argent 30.19sec 511m OLP 2012 Zara Zulu 30.14sec 525m MEA
1979 Boundless 30.51sec 511m OLP 2013 Spud Regis 29.63sec 525m MEA
1980 Tangaloa 30.12sec 511m OLP 2014 Buckle Up Wes 29.74sec 525m MEA
1981 Pete’s Advice 30.30sec 511m OLP 2015 Luca Neveelk 29.96sec 525m MEA
1982 Royal Rumpus 30.08sec 511m OLP 2016 Dyna Double One 29.76sec 525m MEA
1983 Drop Of Wine 30.23sec 511m OLP 2017 Fanta Bale 30.01sec 525m MEA
1984 Tangairn 30.22sec 511m OLP 2018 Hecton Bale 29.53sec 525m MEA
1985 Eaglehawk Star 29.93sec 511m OLP 2019 Dyna Patty 29.58sec 525m MEA
1986 Bright Judge 30.37sec 511m OLP 2020 Fernando’s Riot 29.72sec 525m MEA
1987 Regal Post 29.91sec 511m OLP 2021 Tommy Shelby 29.86sec 525m MEA
1988 Golden Blessing 29.59sec 511m OLP 2022 Lala Kiwi 29.63sec 525m MEA
1989 Ginger 29.70sec 511m OLP 2023 Fernando Mick 29.85sec 525m MEA
1990 Spread Eagled 29.88sec 511m OLP 2024 Tim Zoo 29.71sec 525m MEA
1991 Franklin Deano 29.74sec 511m OLP
1992 China Trip 29.96sec 511m OLP
1993 China Trip 29.71sec 511m OLP