Welcome to our Australian Cup betting guide, including the latest odds, tips and history for the revered Group 1 greyhound race, due to be next held at The Meadows in February 2026.
The Australian Cup has undoubtedly been one of the most-revered events on the annual greyhound racing calendar since its inception almost six decades ago.
The race is held over 525m at The Meadows and offered a staggering winner’s cheque of $300,000 as of 2020.
The most recent edition of the race in 2025 was won by Jeffrey Britton’s consistent chaser Mepunga Tully.
Below we’ll run you through everything you need to know about this great race, including Australian Cup news, tips, latest odds and more.
Currently their are no odds for the 2026 Australian Cup.
Currently the field is not available for the 2026 Australian Cup heats.
Being one of the flagship races within the sport, there is always enormous betting interest throughout the entire Australian Cup series.
All of our best online bookmakers provide fixed odds betting on both the heats and final, with odds released during the week once the final fields and box draws have been announced.
By opening markets so early, punters are able to study the form and shop around between bookies in order to secure the best prices for their chosen runners.
Some bookmakers, such as Bet365 (bet365 review) and Neds (Neds review), also release ‘all-in’ markets, which allows to bet on the winner of the final prior to the heats being run and won.
This can provide terrific value, with inflated odds generally available for several leading contenders and even outsiders you think could play a bold part in the series.
The inaugural running of the Australian Cup took place in 1958 when it was run as a handicap event over 675 yards at the old North Melbourne track. The winner was the mighty Rookie Rebel, which claimed the feature as the backmarker coming off an eight-yard handicap. Despite finding interference throughout the race, Rookie Rebel came home like a train to defeat Magic Babe by three lengths on the line, earning trainer Wally Hooper £800 for the win.
The event was held over the 675-yard distance at North Melbourne until 1962, with no race held the following year whilst the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association made the move to a new track at Olympic Park. In 1964 the race was run and won over 560 yards, remaining a handicap race until 1965.
The Australian Cup was held at Olympic Park until the closure of the track in 1998. In 1999 it was held for the first time at The Meadows, where it was run over 518m until 2001. Since that time it has been held over the 525m trip and has become one of the best Group 1 greyhound races in Australia.
The Australian Cup was the richest race in Australia between the years 1960 and 1962 when it was worth £1,400 to the winner and again from 1964 to 1978. In 1979 it was equal with the Melbourne Cup, with both races being worth a substantial $30,000. In 1983 the prize money was bolstered to $50,000 which saw it once again become the most lucrative event until 1989.
Interestingly, the Australian Cup is a rare feature event on the calendar to have featured a dead heat, with the 2003 running resulting in the judge being unable to split Most Awesome and Blackjack Tom.
Since its inception the race has been won by some of the best greyhounds the sport has seen, with the honor roll boasting names such as Benjamin John (1969), Tangaloa (1980), Eaglehawk Star (1985), Ginger (1989), China Trip (1992 & 1993), Mancunian Girl (1994), Brett Lee (2001), Bogie Leigh (2004), Velocette (2009), Buckle Up Wes (2014), Dyna Double One (2016), Fanta Bale (2017) and West Aussie Tommy Shelby (2021).
Remarkably, the Dailly kennel has won six Australian Cups since 2010, with Lala Kiwi (2022) the latest victorious dog from the training powerhouse.
| When | February 22, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $300,000 |
| Winner | Mepunga Tully |
| Trainer | Jeffrey Britton |
| Born | 12/04/2022 RBD |
| Owner | Barry Smith |
| Margin | 0.25 |
| Time: | 29.64 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Tim Zoo, Vincent Bale, Canya All Class, Deadly Avenger, Flying Zulu, Zipping Hopkins, and Excavation | |
2025 Australian Cup Final Box Draw & Field The Meadows 525m Group 1 $300,000 to-the-winner Saturday, February 15, 2025
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1 Zipping Hopkins
T: Brooke EnnisF: 13412Career: 40: 14-12-5Prizemoney: $101,615
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2 Canya All Class
T: Jessica HopkinsF: 64F12Career: 30: 17-4-3Prizemoney: $187,730
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3 Vincent Bale
T: Samantha GrenfellF: 11261Career: 45: 19-11-4Prizemoney: $228,708
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4 Mepunga Tully
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 21711Career: 34: 14-4-3Prizemoney: $103,550
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5 Excavation
T: Jason ThompsonF: 38231Career: 35: 14-5-6Prizemoney: $445,315
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6 Deadly Avenger
T: George BorgF: 11812Career: 26: 10-5-3Prizemoney: $91,065
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7 Flying Zulu
T: Jason ThompsonF: 21122Career: 45: 25-8-2Prizemoney: $877,290
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8 Tim Zoo
T: Jason ThompsonF: 11111Career: 46: 22-8-4Prizemoney: $610,660
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| Reserves | |
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9 Smooth Plane
T: Thomas DaillyF: 12473Career: 66: 22-16-4Prizemoney: $515,180
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10 Amron Tiger
T: Brooke EnnisF: 24223Career: 52: 12-15-10Prizemoney: $114,215
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The 2024 Australian Cup, held at The Meadows, was won by Tim Zoo, trained by Jason Thompson. Tim Zoo secured victory with a time of 29.71 seconds, finishing 1.75 lengths ahead of Schillaci.
2024 Australian Cup Results
Date: February 24, 2024
Location: The Meadows
First Prize: $300,000
Winner: Tim Zoo (Trainer: Jason Thompson)
Time: 29.71 seconds
Margins: 1.75 lengths
Runner-up: Schillaci
This victory marked a significant achievement for Jason Thompson, as it was his first Australian Cup win after 25 finalists over two decades.
Veteran chaser Fernando Mick called on all his experience to defeat a stellar field in the 2023 Australian Cup for David Geall. Fernando Mick, at his 101st start, defeat Silver Chief winner Amron Boy by 2 1/2 lengths in impressive fashion and at $6.70 made plenty of punters happy. Fernando Mick had to overcome not only some gun chasers, but the wide draw, with the four-year-old crossing from box eight, a feat that not all greyhounds can do.
The Dailly kennels recorded their sixth Australian Cup victory since 2010, when Lala Kiwi proved too strong in the 525m final at the Meadows. Lala Kiwi, which was runner up in the G1 Melbourne Cup in 2021, was one of four Dailly runners in the final of the Australian Cup. Lala Kiwi and Paddy Wants Pats battled early for ascendancy but the former got on top on the back straight, winning by 1.75 lengths in 29.63sec. Paddy Wants Pats finished second and stopped the Dailly quartet from filling the top four. Lala Kiwi was the 26th favourite to win the Australian Cup since its first running in 1958.
Fernando’s Riot stunned everyone, including trainer Anthony Azzopardi. He not only took down his $2.70 favourite brother Whiskey Riot, who was gunning for his third Group 1 win, but also made history as the first greyhound to take the win from Box 6 since superstar Brett Lee in 2001.
Fernando’s Riot secured second place coming around the last corner and managed to tackle down Hardaway Winnie to win the cup by a quarter of a length.
2020 Australian Cup results
| When | February 29, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $300,000 |
| Winner | Fernando’s Riot |
| Trainer | Anthony Azzoparid |
| Born | 28/01/2017 Black Dog |
| Owner | Annalise Roberts |
| Margin | 1.54 |
| Time: | 29.72 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Hardaway Winnie, Whiskey Riot, Mister Harlewood, Scatterbox, Aston Cade, Hard Style Rico, and Last Hurrah | |
A never been seen record has been set Andrea Dailly as she lands her fifth Australian Cup win in 9 years with $3.90 favourite Dyna Patty. Jumping straight out of Box 1 Dyna Patty managed to find the lead alongside Black Opium however the class of the daughter of superstar Fernando Bale was too much for Black Opium as she was able to leave a gap of 2 lengths flying past the post at a staggering 29.58.
2019 Australian Cup Results
| When | March 02, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Dyna Patty |
| Trainer | Andrea Dailly |
| Born | 01/03/2016 Dark Brindle Bitch |
| Owner | Brendan Wheeler |
| Margin | 2.75 |
| Time: | 29.58 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Black Opium, Deliver, Bago Bye Bye, Miss Splendamiro, My Redeemer, Dyna Oscar, Shima Breeze | |
Hecton Bale overcame a seemingly unsuitable box eight draw to salute in the most recent edition of the Australian Cup. The black powerhouse wasn’t brilliantly away, but managed to work his way to the front of the pack to win by five and a half lengths in a blistering 29.54.
2018 Australian Cup results
| When | March 03, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Hecton Bale |
| Trainer | Andrea Dailly |
| Born | 18/09/2015 Black Dog |
| Owner | Ten Eighty (SYN) |
| Margin | 1.60 |
| Time: | 29.53 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Hasten Slowly, Opal Nera, Zipping Inglis, Raw Ability, Dyna Forrest, Slick, Chasin’ Crackers | |
Having already won the Group 1 Hume Cup and Rookie Rebel at The Meadows, Fanta Bale dropped back to the sprint trip to record a sensational win in the 2017 Australian Cup. The daughter of David Bale and Ucme Typhoon overcame an awkward draw in box eight and was far too classy for her rivals when stopping the clock in 30.01.
2017 Australian Cup results
| When | March 04, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Fanta Bale |
| Trainer | Robert Britton |
| Born | 14/08/2014 Black Bitch |
| Owner | Brendan Wheeler |
| Margin | 1.40 |
| Time: | 30.01 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Eminent Reality, Aeroplane Bob, Aston Bolero, Matt Machine, Monaro Monelli, Blazin Bomber, Lightning Frank | |
Dyna Double One became the second greyhound in world history to accumulate more than $1M in prize money when taking out the 2016 Australian Cup. The black dog settled in behind Black Frenzy before unleashing a powerful finishing burst, hitting the lead and charging clear to score in 29.75. The win was also monumental in the sense that Dyna Double One was just the third greyhound to achieve the Melbourne Cup – Australian Cup double, joining former champions Tangaloa and Rookie Rebel.
2016 Australian Cup results
| When | March 05, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Dyna Double One |
| Trainer | Andrea Dailly |
| Born | 14/03/2013 Black Dog |
| Owner | Brendan Wheeler |
| Margin | 3.51 |
| Time: | 29.75 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Black Frenzy, Diego Bale, Moreira, Ernest Bale, Aston Bolero, Pop The Cork, Xtreme Knocka | |
Gerry Kleeven celebrated the biggest success in 50 years of training when winning the 2015 Australian Cup with his home bred sprinter Luca Neveelk. The blue dog was poorly away but mustered plenty of pace to draw level with Lamia Bale around the first turn before hitting top gear and sprinting clear to record victory by three-quarters-of-a-length over Quartz Bale in 29.97.
2015 Australian Cup results
| When | March 07, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Luca Neveelk |
| Trainer | Gerald Kleevan |
| Born | 01/05/2012 Blue Dog |
| Owner | Paul Kleevan |
| Margin | 4.46 |
| Time: | 29.968 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Quartz Bale, Hostile, Sisco Rage, Emrys, Samus Allen, Recruitment, Lamia Bale | |
Tasmanian superstar Buckle Up Wes gave nothing else a chance in the 2014 Australian Cup, leading all the way from box seven to score in 29.74. The son of Collision and Everlong Bale defeated a star studded field including Keybow (second), Dyna Nalin (third), Kiss Me Ketut (seventh) and Marcus Joe (eighth).
2014 Australian Cup results
| When | March 01, 2014 |
|---|---|
| Where | The Meadows |
| First Prize | $250,000 |
| Winner | Buckle Up Wes |
| Trainer | Edward Medhurst |
| Born | 06/06/2011 Blaxk Dog |
| Owner | Johnson Sutton (SYN) |
| Margin | 5.24 |
| Time: | 29.74 |
| Others in finishing order | |
| Keybow, Dyna Nalin, Hallelujay Henry, Musquin Bale, Marcus Joe, Kiss Me Ketut, Innocent Til | |
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Distance | Boxes | Margin | Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Rookie Rebel | W. Hooper | 675y | 1,2,3 | 4L | 36.25sec | Magic Babe | Idle Mate |
| 1959 | Rocky Ros | J. Trotman | 675y | 8,1,5 | 4L | 36.50sec | Idle Mate | Tryola |
| 1960 | Meadow Vale | P. Reid | 675y | 3,6,1 | 3L | 36.50sec | Fair’s Order | Town Ghost |
| 1961 | Copeland | S. Barrett | 675y | 3,2,5 | 4L | 36.70sec | Dennis Direct | Liberal Miss |
| 1962 | Take A Bow | P. Thompson | 675y | 3,4,2 | 3L | 36.44sec | Top Dalla | Red Drummer |
| 1963 | Race Not Held | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1964 | Old Tops | F. McSweeney | 560y | ? | ? | 30.60sec | ? | ? |
| 1965 | Worthing | A. Davey | 560y | ? | ? | 29.15sec | ? | ? |
| 1966 | Billy Vee | J. Tomblin | 560y | ? | ? | 30.60sec | ? | ? |
| 1967 | Fawn Nulla | L. Price | 560y | ? | ? | 30.20sec | ? | ? |
| 1968 | Swanston Lass | E. Turner | 560y | ? | ? | 30.14sec | ? | ? |
| 1969 | Benjamin John | S. Cleverley | 560y | ? | ? | 30.30sec | ? | ? |
| 1970 | The Smoother | N. Kay | 560y | ? | ? | 30.60sec | ? | ? |
| 1971 | Black Diro | T. Bleazby | 560y | ? | ? | 30.60sec | ? | ? |
| 1972 | Blackamoor Lad | C. Pavli | 560y | ? | ? | 30.10sec | ? | ? |
| 1973 | Half Your Luck | E. Redpath | 511m | 1,2,6 | 1-1/2L | 30.32sec | Miss Baines | The Little Gent |
| 1974 | Kim’s Monaro | R. Doak | 511m | 1,8,2 | 2L | 30.34sec | Roo Power | Peditos Champ |
| 1975 | Ungwilla Lad | J. Coleman | 511m | 1,2,3 | 2-1/2L | 30.75sec | Arkaroola | Spot Monaro |
| 1976 | Odious | J. Coleman | 511m | 8,5,2 | 1-3/4L | 30.69sec | Weekly Special | Ungwilla Lad |
| 1977 | Listowel Sue | W. Fairlie | 511m | 1,6,5 | 5-1/2L | 30.41sec | Dalyston | Lord Adam |
| 1978 | Count D’Argent | R. Johnston | 511m | 2,7,1 | 2-1/4L | 30.19sec | Dusty Progress | Belabour Prince |
| 1979 | Boundless | K. Lew-Fatt | 511m | 2,6,8 | 1-1/2L | 30.51sec | Tangaloa | Rebel Maker |
| 1980 | Tangaloa | J. Hili | 511m | 4,1,2 | 3-3/4L | 30.12sec | Tempix | Kalimna Boy |
| 1981 | Pete’s Advice | R. McDonald | 511m | 2,5,4 | 4-1/4L | 30.30sec | Monalee’s Charm | Kelvin Brown |
| 1982 | Royal Rumpus | J. Thomas | 511m | 2,3,1 | 3L | 30.08sec | Spaetzel | Shamrock Flight |
| 1983 | Drop Of Wine | J. Hellingham | 511m | 1,8,5 | Neck | 30.23sec | My Pal Penny | Zanash |
| 1984 | Tangairn | D. Fitzgerald | 511m | 5,7,1 | 1-1/4L | 30.22sec | Katandra King | Get Behind Me |
| 1985 | Eaglehawk Star | J. Gilchrist | 511m | 5,3,7 | 7-1/2L | 29.93sec | Storm Glade | Beach Rhythm |
| 1986 | Bright Judge | C. Costa | 511m | 8,7,2 | 1-1/2L | 30.37sec | Flash Shot | Legendary Kid |
| 1987 | Regal Post | W. Salter | 511m | 2,4,5 | Head | 29.91sec | Dundalk Star | Shining Chariot |
| 1988 | Golden Blessing | R. Rounds | 511m | 8,1,4 | 4-1/4L | 29.59sec | Modern Gossip | High In Space |
| 1989 | Ginger | S. Condo | 511m | 7,1,4 | 6-1/4L | 29.70sec | Ray Bon Miss | Benito’s Boy |
| 1990 | Spread Eagled | J. Pearl | 511m | 3,4,1 | 1L | 29.88sec | Bullion Broker | Diamalight |
| 1991 | Franklin Deano | N. Bryant | 511m | 4,2,3 | 4-3/4L | 29.74sec | Star Chariot | Sheedy |
| 1992 | China Trip | G. Ball | 511m | 2,3,8 | Head | 29.96sec | Buka Blitz | Bomber Gleeson |
| 1993 | China Trip | G. Ball | 511m | 6,4,3 | Head | 29.71sec | True To Do | Bomber Gleeson |
| 1994 | Mancunian Girl | P. Wardle | 511m | 1,2,8 | 3L | 29.58sec | Keystone | Silver Spice |
| 1995 | Bonjase | D. Moodie | 511m | 6,1,3 | 3-1/4L | 30.02sec | Kid Giant | Windarra Lass |
| 1996 | Tenthill Doll | H. Sarkis | 515m | 8,7,3 | 1/2L | 29.74sec | Proper Tears | Weeping Tom |
| 1997 | Smooth Rumble | S. Kavanagh | 515m | 3,1,4 | 3/4L | 30.00sec | Firing Bear | Ultimate Charm |
| 1998 | Fibba | S. Ralph | 515m | 5,4,3 | 3L | 30.39sec | Split The Bill | Flash Monarch |
| 1999 | Mandatario | G. Jolly | 518m | 2,8,1 | 1-1/2L | 30.23sec | Brookside Red | Mono Railer |
| 2000 | Arvo’s Express | T. Womann | 518m | 1,3,4 | 2-3/4L | 29.92sec | Hotshow Vintage | Labyrinth |
| 2001 | Brett Lee | D. McDonald | 518m | 6,1,2 | 7L | 29.49sec | Go Wild Teddy | Dutchy’s Angel |
| 2002 | Isa Brown | R. Britton | 525m | 3,1,5 | 2-1/4L | 30.33sec | Silver Saul | Final Conflict |
| 2003 | D/H: Blackjack Tom & Most Awesome | G. Bate / M. Burdekin | 525m | 3,8,6 | D/H, 4L | 30.16sec | November Fury | Twain |
| 2004 | Bogie Leigh | T. Brett | 525m | 5,2,4 | 3L | 29.92sec | Monsters Inc | Kilmany Assassin |
| 2005 | Pure Octane | D. McDonald | 525m | 1,2,3 | 4-3/4L | 29.70sec | Zyrtec | Oxley Tiger |
| 2006 | Miss Spicy | T. Murray | 525m | 7,6,4 | 1-1/4L | 30.11sec | Go Forever | Trew Touch |
| 2007 | Pete’s Conquest | P. Giles | 525m | 8,6,2 | 4L | 29.77sec | Train A Journey | Highlee |
| 2008 | Tasman Queen | R. Britton | 525m | 7,2,5 | Neck | 29.97sec | El Galo | Sonador |
| 2009 | Velocette | G. Bate | 525m | 5,7,3 | 2-1/2L | 29.77sec | El Galo | Premier Moment |
| 2010 | Dyna Lachlan | A. Dailly | 525m | 1,2,4 | 3-1/2L | 29.84sec | Galba Jack | Prankster |
| 2011 | St. Pierre | D. Cannan | 525m | 2,7,1 | 2-1/2L | 29.90sec | High Earner | Mid Levels |
| 2012 | Zara Zulu | R. Hume | 525m | 1,8,6 | 1-1/4L | 30.14sec | Gordon Bale | Dyna Tron |
| 2013 | Spud Regis | A. Dailly | 525m | 1,3,5 | 4.3L | 29.63sec | El Brooklyn | Hot Irish |
| 2014 | Buckle Up Wes | T. Medhurst | 525m | 7,2,3 | 1.77L | 29.74sec | Keybow | Dyna Nalin |
| 2015 | Luca Neveelk | G. Kleeven | 525m | 4,3,2 | 0.66L | 29.96sec | Quartz Bale | Hostile |
| 2016 | Dyna Double One | A. Dailly | 525m | 2,5,1 | 3.1L | 29.76sec | Black Frenzy | Diego Bale |
| 2017 | Fanta Bale | R. Britton | 525m | 8,1,2 | 2.8L | 30.01sec | Eminent Reality | Aeroplane Bob |
| 2018 | Hecton Bale | A. Dailly | 525m | 8,7,6 | 5.4L | 29.53sec | Hasten Slowly | Opal Nera |
| 2019 | Dyna Patty | A. Dailly | 525m | 1,7,5 | 2.01L | 29.58sec | Black Opium | Deliver |
| 2020 | Fernando’s Riot | A. Azzopardi | 525m | 6,5,8 | 0.23L | 29.72sec | Hardaway Winnie | Whiskey Riot |
| 2021 | Tommy Shelby | S. Withers | 525m | 4,6,2 | 0.06L | 29.86sec | Fernando Bluey | Lakeview Cruiser |
| 2022 | Lala Kiwi | A. Dailly | 525m | 4,6,7 | 1.67L | 29.63sec | Paddy Wants Pats | Gypsy Bun |
| 2023 | Fernando Mick | D. Geall | 525m | 6,8,7 | 3.37L | 29.85sec | Baby Jaycee | Victa Damian |
| 2024 | Tim Zoo | J. Thompson | 525m | 1,2,3 | 1.75L | 29.71sec | Schillaci | Launch Code |
| 2025 | Mepunga Tully | J. Britton | 525m | 4,8,3 | 0.25L | 29.64sec | Tim Zoo | Vincent Bale |
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