The Australian Cup is a historic Group 1 race run over 2000m under Weight-For-Age (WFA) conditions at Flemington Racecourse during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival. Offering a prize pool of $2.5 million, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in Australia, first contested in 1863 and won by Barwon. It serves as the headline event of its race day and marks the final Group 1 of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival.

The honor roll includes legends like Dulcify, Vo Rogue, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Saintly, Northerly, Lonhro, and Makybe Diva, who set the Australian record time of 1:58.73 in 2005.

Bart Cummings, known as the “Cups King,” is the most successful trainer in Australian Cup history, having won the race 13 times with horses like Let’s Elope, Saintly, and Dane Ripper.

The Australian Cup typically follows the Peter Young Stakes, held at Caulfield two weeks earlier, as a key lead-up race.