The Kaikoura Cup through the years - Part 4

The Kaikoura Cup will celebrate its 100th running this year. To mark the occasion Kaikoura Trotting Club historian Phil Gourdie is looking back at the history of the great race. 

This is the fourth installment - "they just keep getting faster"

By Phil Gourdie   

With the exception of the meeting held under Covid restrictions, the last 16 Kaikoura Cups, over the 2400m from a stand, have been run in under three minutes. 

In 2021 the race (2600m) was held at Addington with Classie Brigade winning the third of his Cups in 3:16.5. 

In 1967 the first time over a mile and a half, later 2400m, it was run in 3.20.2. 

In 2012 Sushi Sushi, trained by Mark Purdon for owners P Sequenzia, A Cendron, P D'Alessi, and driven by Natalie Rasmussen won in 2.55.5. Sushi Sushi enjoyed the run in the trail behind stablemate Major Mark being driven by Colin DeFilippi. The All Stars trio of Major Mark, Highview Tommy and Sushi Sushi turned for home at the head of the field. Highview Tommy challenged three wide but found the pace too hot as the All Stars other runner, Fly Like An Eagle, gave the All Stars stable the trifecta. 

Four years later Franco Nelson, trained by Robert Dunn for owners Est Ms Sharon McKay, Clive McKay, Rona McKay, Mrs Jenna A Dunn, Dr M D Taylor, was driven by John Dunn and won, clocking 2.55.6. Franco Nelson flew the start and Dunn kept the speed on all the way. Race favourite Smolda joined Franco Nelson as they entered the back straight for the last time. Dunn and Franco Nelson slipped the cutter halfway round the last bend holding off all challengers to win by a good length. 

In 2017 Lazarus, trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen for owners Phil and Glenys Kennard, Trevor Casey and Kevin Riseley was driven by Mark Purdon. They set a national, track and race record of 2.54.3. Buster Brady took up the early running, then handed to Titan Banner and Dexter Dunn. This left “Mr Professional” Lazarus facing the breeze with a lap and a half of the Kaikoura South Bay course remaining. Titan Banner lead into the back straight with Lazarus in the parked position. The two top drivers and their respective charges came clear of the field turning for home and raced the length of the straight. Titan Banner yielded to Lazarus as he came clear to win by two lengths. Mark Purdon acknowledged the contest with a respectful salute as he crossed the finish line. The stats for the journey - Mile Rate: 1-56.8, Last 800m: 54.1 and Last 400m: 26.8. and he did all that whilst in the parked position. The race record still stands today.  

Next time we will look at: Trainers and Drivers records.