Launched this season to boost participation and engagement across five of the South Island’s premier Cup races, the inaugural Southern Cups Bonus Series has exceeded expectations by delivering strong field sizes, increased wagering turnover and positive engagement across the region.

The Series has been delivered through a successful partnership between New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), Entain Australia & New Zealand and the Riverton Racing Club - a collaboration praised as a meaningful investment in the Southern region’s staying ranks.

NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty said the results speak for themselves.

“Field sizes have increased to an average of 13.75 runners per race, a significant uplift from 10.25 and 9.25 in the previous two seasons, with every race attracting ballots,” Ballesty said.

“It’s encouraging to see strong collaboration between Clubs and partners having a tangible impact on participation and engagement, both on and off the track. Turnover across the Series is also up 28.5%, underlining the appeal of competitive, staying contests,” he said. 

The Southern Cups Bonus Series will conclude with the awarding of a $50,000 winner-takes-all Bonus to the connections of the horse with the highest points total accumulated across the five Cups races. To be eligible for the bonus horses must compete in a minimum of three of the five races.

Southern Cups Bonus Series Races:

1. Sunday 2 February – $50,000 MLT Gore Cup (2000m) – won by In Vegas (NZ)
2. Saturday 15 February – $60,000 Baillie & Lewis Pharmacy Invercargill Cup (2600m) – won by Noble Knight (NZ)
3. Saturday 1 March – $170,000 Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) – won by Loftys Gift (NZ) 
4. Sunday 9 March – $35,000 Caldwell Contracting Wyndham Cup (2000m) – won by Sacred Dream (NZ)
5. Saturday 19 April – $80,000 Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m)

The $80,000 Kennedy Building Riverton Cup (2147m) will be run as Race 8 at 3:45pm on Saturday, with double points on offer (1st – 10 pts, 2nd – 6 pts, 3rd – 4 pts, 4th – 2 pts), making for a thrilling conclusion to the Series.

Robert Dennis-trained mare Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines) currently heads the leaderboard with eight points, followed by Sacred Dream (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) equally placed with five points each.  

Also eligible for the $50,000 Bonus is Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) on four points, Theoden (NZ) (Proisir) on three points, Exchange (NZ) (Ghibellines) on two points, Par Tee (NZ) (Verdi) on one point. 

Meanwhile Vague (NZ) (Tobique), Taimate Diva (NZ) (Telperion) and Lochnaberry (NZ) (Jakkalberry) are also eligible having run in three or more Cups races on zero points. 

2024-25 Southern Cups Bonus Series Leaderboard

View more information about the Southern Cups Bonus Series and a full leaderboard here.