Biggest New Zealand Horse Racing Events
New Zealand and Australia are often referred to as the horse capitals of the world. This is because the strongest, fastest horses are bred in the region. It also means that the most renowned horse racing events are also found in the area, which means plenty of opportunity to bet on racing events. In fact, New Zealanders and Australians are known to be horse race betting fanatics. Here is a list of some of the biggest horse racing events in New Zealand and Australia to place bets on.
Auckland Trotting Cup
The Auckland Trotting Cup, also known as the Auckland Pacing Cup, is held in March every year, and draws bet makers from around the world. Run by standard bred horses over a distance of 2,700 meters, the race never fails to be a nail biting affair. Note that trotting, or harness racing, is different from the more commonly known for of horse racing, involving the jockey being pulled behind the horse in a cart, as apposed to riding atop the horse. The first place prize is an enormous $600,000.
Dominion Handicap
The Dominion Handicap is another harness racing event, run over a slightly longer distance of 3,200m. It has a lesser cash prize of $200,000, but still attracts some of the finest standard bed horses in the area. Not that the event is handicapped, which means that the fastest horses are often weighed down in order to keep the racing results unpredictable and exciting. Bets can be placed on the Dominion Handicap, which is raced in October, at any major online bookmaking website.
Great Northern Derby
The Great Northern Derby is for standard bred horses aged three and above. Raced over a distance of 2,700 meters, the Great Northern Derby is held in Alexandra Park in Auckland. With a first place prize of $400,000, it is currently the richest racing event for three year old colts in the Australasia region.
New Zealand Free For All
The New Zealand Free For All is a highly anticipated racing event every year, held at the Addington Raceway. The race is notable first for the fact that it is considered a sprinting race, with a total length of only 2000 meters, and second because there are very few restrictions as to which horses may participate in the race. Smart bet makers know that the same horses are generally in the Free For All as the other racing events held during the year. Therefore, a person who is keenly observant of racing events will have a very good idea of who the winner will be for the New Zealand Free For All.
New Zealand Trotting Cup
Last on this list, but also the most prestigious on the list, the New Zealand Trotting cup has a staggering first prize amount of $750,000. The enormous amount of prize money means that the best horses from around the world participate, resulting in a spectacular racing affair that attracts the attention of bet makers around the world. See what betting options your favourite online bookmaker offers.