The Kingsford-Smith Cup is a Group 1 weight-for-age race run over 1300m at Eagle Farm during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival. The field limit is 18 starters plus up to five emergencies if numbers permit.
There have been significant name changes to the race which was originally known as the JT Delaney Quality Handicap between 1964-1982. Most racing fans will know the Kingsford-Smith Cup being called the BTC Cup between 2004-2016. As of 2017, the race name was changed to the Kingsford-Smith Cup after Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.
In addition to several name changes, the Kingsford-Smith Cup has also changed venues between Doomben Racecourse and Eagle Farm numerous times.
The Kingsford-Smith Cup has held Group 1 status since 2006. It was won by the Neville Couchman-trained Gee I Jane that year by narrowly defeating Daunting Lad over 1200m. In the past, the feature event has been run over seven furlongs (1400m) as well as 1350m.
As of 2019, the Kingsford-Smith Cup carries $700,000 in prizemoney; the winner receives $420,000 and the race pays down to 10th. Horses that finish between sixth to 10th receive $8,400 for their performance.
Looking at the Kingsford-Smith Cup honour roll and one name stands head and shoulders above the rest. That honour lies with unbeaten champion mare Black Caviar who won all 25 starts for trainer Peter Moody. The legendary sprinter was sent out as the $1.14 favourite as she defeated Hay List by two lengths to record her 13th win in 2011. Seven-time Group 1 winner Buffering (none at the time of this race) would finish 6.8-lengths away in third place.
Another famous winner was Apache Cat who claimed the 2008 edition. Like Black Caviar, the Greg Eurell-trained Apache Cat was a long odds-on favourite at $1.30. However, he wouldn’t win comfortably, with Vormista finishing 0.2-lengths away from Apache Cat. Returning a year later to defend his crown, Apache Cat could only manage third place in a tight photo-finish that saw Duporth get the nod ahead of Bank Robber.
Strawberry Road won the 1983 edition of the race. That same year he was crowned Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year by also winning the Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby, Queensland Derby, Freeway Stakes and the Cox Plate. He would also win the Grosser Preis von Baden, Prix d'Harcourt, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Arcadia Handicap overseas.
Other notable winners of the Kingsford-Smith Cup include High Regard (1989), Buck’s Pride (1993-94), Accomplice (1997), Falvelon (2000 & 2003), Sea Siren (2012) and Malaguerra (2016).
For racing tips from major meetings at Eagle Farm, including the Kingsford-Smith Cup, head to our Eagle Farm racing tips page.
