Auckland Cup to move to 2700m mobile

The Auckland Trotting Club has confirmed that the Auckland Cup, to be run on December 31 2026, will be conducted over 2700 metres from a mobile start, as part of a move designed to strengthen the race and broaden its appeal to New Zealand and Australian participants.

The change (from a 3200m stand) follows consideration of the future positioning of one of New Zealand harness racing’s premier events and the need to ensure the Auckland Cup continues to attract the strongest possible field.

The Auckland Cup has previously been conducted over 2700 metres, meaning the change is not without precedent in the history of the race.

Auckland Trotting Club Chief Executive Brad Steele said the move was about ensuring the Cup continued to evolve while retaining its standing and traditions.

“The Auckland Cup is one of the great races on the New Zealand harness racing calendar and we want to ensure it remains a race that the very best horses and connections want to target.

“With the Auckland Cup following relatively closely after the New Zealand Cup, we believe there is merit in the two races providing different challenges. The 2700-metre mobile gives the Auckland Cup its own point of difference while still requiring the speed, stamina and quality expected of one of New Zealand’s premier harness races.

“We believe the change will make the race accessible to a wider group of horses and complement the New Zealand Cup. We also hope it will encourage greater Trans-Tasman competition and give Australian connections another reason to consider Auckland as part of their campaign.

“Importantly, 2700 metres is not new territory for the Auckland Cup. The race has been conducted over the distance in previous years, so in many respects we are taking something from the Cup’s past and applying it to its future.”

Steele said the distance change should also be viewed as part of a broader focus on strengthening major race programming at Alexandra Park.

“Changing the distance alone is not the end of the story. We are looking at how we can make the Auckland Cup, and racing at Alexandra Park more broadly, increasingly attractive to owners, trainers, horses and fans on both sides of the Tasman.

“There is further work underway and we expect to make additional announcements during 2027.”

The Auckland Trotting Club will work alongside Harness Racing New Zealand and industry stakeholders to promote the Auckland Cup and the opportunities created by the change.