The Awapuni Gold Cup is held annually in

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. It is a set weight and penalties race over 2,000 metres.

History

First held in 1915, the race has been won by many of

's most famous racehorses including: *

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Desert Gold Desert Gold may refer to: * ''Geraea canescens'', a wildflower also known as Desert Sunflower * Desert Gold (horse), a New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse **Desert Gold (1919 Australian film), ''Desert Gold'' (1919 Australian film), an Australian fil ...

* Grey Way *

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, the 1989

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winner *

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* La Mer * Mainbrace * Nightmarch *

Redcraze Redcraze (born 1950) was a champion New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who raced both in Australia and New Zealand, winning major races in both countries. A chestnut son of the Hyperion stallion Red Mars from the mare Myarion he is considered ...

* Show Gate

and Sir Slick won the race three times.

and La Mer also won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, in 1915 and 1976 respectively, before winning the Awapuni Gold Cup.

Race results

The following are the winners details and placings in the Awapuni Gold Cup. There was no race in 2020 due to COVID 19 restrictions. The race was held at

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in 2024 and 2025 because of track issues at Awapuni.

List of other winners

* 1915 Chortle * 1916

* 1917

* 1918

* 1919 Sasanof * 1920 Amythas * 1921 Sasanof * 1922 Marqueteur * 1923 Thespian * 1924 Ballymena * 1925 Suggestion * 1926 Rapine * 1927 Commendation * 1928 Star Stranger * 1929 Rapier * 1930 Vertigern * 1931 Nightmarch * 1932 Nightmarch * 1933 Autopay * 1934 Silver Ring * 1935 Silver Ring * 1936 Greek Shepherd * 1937 Wild Chase * 1938 Stretto * 1939 Beaupartir * 1940 Beau Vite * 1941

* 1946 Langue Dor * 1947 Beau Le Havre * 1948 Voltaic * 1949 Lord Mania * 1950 Beaumaris * 1951 Mainbrace * 1952 Hutton * 1953 Gendarme * 1954 Golden Tan * 1955

* 1956 Syntax * 1957 Berne * 1958 Bridie * 1959 Picaroon * 1960 Picaroon * 1961 Ilumquh * 1962 Key * 1963 Moy * 1964 Tatua * 1965 Royal Duty * 1966 Palisade * 1967 Terrific * 1968 Impetus * 1969 Aquarelle * 1970 Bardall * 1971 Game * 1972 Young Ida * 1973 Young Ida * 1974 Show Gate * 1975 Hi Bing * 1976 Grey Way * 1977

* 1978 La Mer * 1979 Regal Band * 1980 Serendiper * 1981 Mun Lee * 1982 The Twinkle * 1983 Commissionaire * 1984 Commissionaire * 1985 Catiere * 1986 Abit Leica * 1987 Lacka Reason * 1988

* 1989

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* 1990 Grey Philae * 1991 Fun On The Run * 1992 Seamist * 1993 Calm Harbour * 1994 Strategic * 1995 Kay Row * 1996 Sapio

Associated races

The Awapuni Gold Cup is currently raced in late March or early April on the same day as the: * Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes over 1400m for 2YO horses. * Group 3 Manawatu Classic over 2000m for 3YO horses. * Listed Flying Handicap over 1400m for Open Handicap runners. Awapuni Racecourse is also the venue for the: * Listed Marton Cup, an open handicap over 2200m in January. * Group 3 Manawatu Breeders Stakes over 2000m at weight for age for fillies and mares in April. * Listed Anzac Mile, open handicap in late April * Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup, an open handicap over 1600m in May. * Group 3 Metric Mile, an open handicap over 1550m in September * Group 3 Eulogy Stakes, in mid-December over 1550m for 3YO fillies. * Listed Feilding Gold Cup, an open handicap over 2100m in November. * Group 3 Manawatu Cup, an open handicap over 2200m in December. * Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, a Weight For Age race over 1400m in December.

References

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Sources