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 |