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This Group 2 Handicap over 3200m dates back to 1864 (just three years after the Melbourne Cup commenced). The inaugural race was won by a horse called Falcon at Thebarton Racecourse in Mile End. It offered stakes of 500 sovereigns.
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The first edition staged at the Morphettville Racecourse was in 1876.
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In 1885, the Adelaide Cup was actually held at Flemington due to the Totalizer Repeal Act 1883 (which outlawed gambling on horses), and wasn’t run for another three years. |
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From 1884 to 1944, the distance was reduced to 2600m before reverting to two-miles again in 1945. |
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The highest ever Cup attendance was 50,000 in 1951. |
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The Adelaide Cup lost its Group 1 status in 2007, but still boasts prize money of $400,000. |
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The honour roll includes Gallic (2007), Bohemiath (2000), Our Pompeii (1994/93), Subzero (1992), Lord Reims (1989/88/87), Just A Dash (1981), Hyperno (1978), Reckless (1977), Rain Lover (1968) and Malua (1884). Malua, or Bagot as he was earlier known, was one of Australia’s most versatile horses having won 12 races at distances ranging from 1100m to 5200m. |