The race was once Australia's premier long distance race, raced at a distance of 18 furlongs (3621m) - thus, longer than the Melbourne Cup. In 1943 the race was shortened to 17 furlongs 110 yards to allow the race to be started from the top of Flemington's famous Straight Six, to have bigger fields.[2]
The VRC in the early 1960s shortened the distance to 1+1⁄4 miles to attract classier middle distance gallopers.[2]
Stakes were increased from $1 million to $1.5 million in 2016.
Distance
1863–1942 - 2+1⁄4 miles (~3627m)
1943–1962 – 2 miles 1+1⁄2 furlongs (~3528m)
1963 - 1+3⁄4 miles (~2821m)
1964–1972 - 1+1⁄4 miles (~2015m)
1973 onwards - 2000 metres
Conditions
1863–1978 - Handicap
1979–1982 - Weight for Age
1983–1986 - Handicap
1987 onwards - Weight for Age
Grade
1863–1979 - Principal Race
1979 onwards - Group 1
Venue
In 2007 the race was run at Caulfield Racecourse due to refurbishment work at Flemington Racecourse.[2]
Records
Makybe Diva won this race in 2005 in the Australian record time of 1:58:73, which beat Northerly's previous record.
The most successful trainer has been Bart Cummings with thirteen wins[2] – 1968, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2008.[3]
The most successful jockey is Tom Hales who won the Australian Cup eight times[4] – Lurline (1875), Richmond (1876), Savanaka (1879), Navigator (1883), Morpeth (1884), Trident (1887), Carlyon (1888), Dreadnought (1890).[5]
1954 racebook
Front cover of the 1954 VRC Australian Cup racebook
1954 Australian Cup showing raceday officials
Starters and results of the 1954 Australian Cup showing the winner, Sunish
