Coongy Handicap Race Information
The Coongy Handicap is a 2000 metre open handicap race run by the Melbourne Racing Club in October. It is held at Caulfield as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
- Race Type: Group 3
- Distance: 2000 metres
- Conditions: Open handicap
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne,Victoria
- Prizemoney: $200,000
- Date: Wednesday 18 October 2023
Coongy Handicap Race History
See the 2023 Coongy Cup Preview and results
See the 2022 Coongy Cup Preview and results
See the 2021 Coongy Cup Preview and results
The race was first run in 1898 over 2200m and was won by a horse called Hymettus. It was held at that distance until 1930 and for several years in the 1930s and 1940s the race was not held at all then was over 2400m. It has been held over 2000m since 1968 and became a Group 3 race in 1978. Until 1996 it was held on the Wednesday before the Caulfield Cup , in 1997 and 1998 it was held at Sandown on the Sunday before the Caulfield Cup and in 1999 it was moved to Caulfield Cup day. From 2007 to 2015 it was known as the David Jones Cup. In 2019 it was moved back to its original home on the Wednesday before the Cup and made the last ballot exempt race for the Caulfield Cup.
Useful Facts
Last mare to win: Duais (2021)
Last 3YO to win: C&G – Top Role (1973); Filly – no filly has won
Multiple winners: Baughurst (2008 & 2009); Stare (1921 & 1923)
Fastest time (2000m): Three horses have run the same time of 2:00:65 – Activation (2005), Kessem (1990) and Major Till (1977)
Interesting trivia: There have been three dead-heats for first: Best Of Days & Mask Of Time (2018), Sunish & Te Totara (1954) and Lanarus & Morven (1940).
Past winners of the Coongy Handicap
Winners of past Coongy Handicaps include Maybe Better (2006), Activation (2005), Oliver Twist (1999), Circles Of Gold (1996), Silk Ali (1993), Fraar (1992), Kessem (1990), Rose Of Kingston (1982), Our Paddy Boy (1981), Shiftmar (1975), Igloo (1971), Tails (1969), Fulmen (1966), Grand Print (1961), True Course (1951), Shadow King (1930), Apologue (1907), Hymettus (1898).
Year | Winner | Second | Third |
2023 | Muramasa | Diamil | Gregolimo |
2022 | Gunstock | Yonkers | Aurora’s Symphony |
2021 | Duais | Wentwood | Floating Artist |
2020 | Nonconformist | Harlem | Kiwia |
2019 | Wolfe | Top Of The Range | Kiwia |
2018 | Best of Days Mask Of Time |
(dead-heat 1st) | Life Less Ordinary |
2017 | Kiwia | Samovare | Maurus |
2016 | Vanbrugh | Tom Melbourne | It’s Somewhat |
2015 | Stratum Star | Awesome Rock | Leebaz |
2014 | Contributer | Noble Protector | Signoff |
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