The Canberra Cup is a 2000 metre handicap run by the Canberra Racing Club. The race was traditionally held in October, but in 2012 was moved to March.
Race Type: Listed Handicap
Distance: 2000 metres
Track: Thoroughbred Park, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Date: Sunday 11 March 2012
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The Canberra Cup was first run in 1926 over a distance of 1600 metres, and the inaugural winner Spec also won the following year. There have been several distance changes over the years as it was 1600 metres until 1952 when it was lengthened to 1750 metres for 1953 and 1954. It was run over 1800 metres from 1955 to 1962, became 2000 metres from 1963 to 1975 and then went to 2400 metres from 1976 to 1995. Since 1996 it has been 2000 metres. There is a maximum field of 16 runners.
The Canberra Cup became a Listed race in 1984. There are many years when it was not run – from 1930 to 1935 it was not held due to the depression and from 1941 to 1945 it was not held because of World War II. It was also not held in 1947, 2006 and 2011. The 2006 Cup was cancelled due to reconstruction of the track and the 2011 running was not held due to a rearrangement of the Canberra racing calendar.
In 2011 the decision was made to move the Canberra Cup from its traditional September/October timing to run it on Black Opal Stakes sunday in March. Black Opal day now has four Listed races with the Black Opal Stakes for two-year-olds, the Canberra Cup, the National Sprint and the Canberra Guineas. It is one of the major race days in Canberra and has Fashions on the Field competitions, plenty of activities for children and a concert after the last race.
Canberra Cup Final Field & Odds 2012
See below for early markets for this years Canberra Cup.
‘Odds not currently available’Canberra Cup Preview & Tips 2012
Track: N/A Weather: N/A
There are 15 acceptances for the $200,000 Mercedes Benz Canberra Cup. The topweight is Zavite with a hefty 62kg in a field where most runners have 54kg, He has won over $2.4 million, ran in two Melbourne Cups and won the Adelaide, Launceston and Auckland Cups. Early favourite is Tullamore, 3rd in the 2011 Caulfield Cup, and Praecido is well-supported following a win in the Parramatta Cup last week.
Fill The Page, Coliseo and Billybougg are the only three Canberra-trained horses. Most of the field are trained in Sydney, including Rainbow Styling, King Diamond and Solid Billing, Sharp Princess and Fill The Page are the only two mares. There has been plenty of rain in Canberra during the last week, but a fine day is predicted for Sunday.
The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.
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Jo’s Tips
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Mick’s Picks
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Ed’s Choice
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| 2 Tullamore | 2 Tullamore | 2 Tullamore |
| 12 Coliseo | 7 Praecido | 4 Budai |
| 7 Praecido | 13 Agent Bauer | 7 Praecido |
| 3 Rainbow Styling | 3 Rainbow Styling | 3 Rainbow Styling |
Previous winners of the Canberra Cup:
Local trainers have often had success in the Canberra Cup, although most years there are a number of Sydney horses running. Four horses have won the race twice with Macknuckle (2009 and 2010), Reingard (1985 and 1986), Crazy Notion (1961 and 1962) and Spec (1926 and 1927). No Canberra Cup winner has won the Melbourne Cup, but 1992 winner Superimpose went on to win the Cox Plate. Gai Waterhouse has been the most successful trainer in recent years with Jay Cee Bee in 1995, Regal Touch in 2000 and So Assertive in 2004.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2012 | Fill The Page | World Wide | Coliseo |
| 2011 | *race not held | ||
| 2010 | Macknuckle | Rock Kingdom | Fast Future |
| 2009 | Macknuckle | Spinney | Vintage Rock |
| 2008 | Blutigeroo | Imvula | Vintage Rock |
| 2007 | Testa Grande | Step Forward | Red Robert |
| 2006 | (event was cancelled) | ||
| 2005 | Beat The Tide | Beau | Bush Honey |
| 2004 | So Assertive | Prime Century (NZ) | Red Robert |
| 2003 | Mooring’s Melody | Spading | Rocksinga |
| 2002 | Benmanang | Bedouin | The Man |
| 2001 | Padfoot Charlie | Velsontas (NZ) | Yippyio |
| 2000 | Regal Touch (NZ) | Padfoot Charlie | Splendid Retreat |
