JRA Cup

Winners and Past Results for the JRA Cup

Hosted by the Moonee Valley Racing Club, the JRA Cup is a Group 3 open handicap race held at the Moonee Valley racetrack annually in the month of September during the spring racing carnival in Melbourne.

A wide pool of horses from across the country fancy their chances in the JRA Cup over the 2040 metres on the Moonee Valley race track for prize money worth $200,000. While the event began as a listed race in 1996 it was granted Group 3 status in 2011. Many trainers put their best milers to the test over the extended distance in order to test their ability to become stronger staying types and tackle other prestigious races during the spring carnival.

The JRA Cup has proved to be a major stepping stone for several runners who have gone on to win the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. Shocking ran third in the 2009 JRA Cup before winning the Melbourne Cup convincingly. Top stayers may also consider entering the Lexus Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Caulfield Cup. Stronger, in form horses, have a variety of races to tackle during the season since the JRA Cup is among the earlier races in the spring carnival. Horses may make their way to the event after a run in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes held at the Caulfield track over 2000 metres. Dream Pedlar finished sixth in the Naturalism Stakes prior to winning the 2011 JRA Cup although he did not fare well in the Caulfield Cup later on. Maldivian was another successful horse to win the 2007 JRA Cup and then the 2008 WS Cox Plate.

The Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes run over a mile at the Moonee Valley track is also a good form guide for horses entering the JRA Cup. Winner of the 2010 JRA Cup, Precedence, ran fourth in the Chin Nam Stakes and then went on to finish third in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. He followed it up with an impressive victory in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup over 2500 metres and finished eighth in the Melbourne Cup.

After finishing third in the 2010 JRA Cup, Linton tasted success in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes and was runner up in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes over 2500 metres at Flemington. Master O'Reilly, ran third in the 2007 JRA Cup prior to lifting the Group 2 Presentation Stakes and the Group 1 Caulfield Cup at Caulfield.

For punters, the JRA Cup remains an important race where horses can be followed closely for the rest of the season.

2012 JRA Cup

At $21, Bianmick was not one of the favoured contenders for this Group 3 staying event but he surprised many with a very gallant win. Bianmick did not enjoy a smooth run at any stage as they settled down, being forced to race wide and without cover throughout. This forced jockey Darren Gauci to take more assertive tactics so he let Bianmick push forward and into the lead with 600 metres to go. The gelding skipped clear on the turn and showed plenty of courage and fitness to hold off the chasers. Bianmick went on to win by nearly two lengths over Dance With Her, with just a nose to Ironstein in third.

2012 JRA Cup result

1. Bianmick
2. Dance With Her
3. Ironstein

Then came:

4. Fruehling
5. Sabrage
6. Miss Artistic
7. Alcopop
8. Excluded
9. King Diamond
10. Precedence
11. Guns At Five
12. Moyenne Corniche
13. Apprehend
14. Ulundi