3 minute read

Big name staying stables are well among the Race History of the Bendigo Cup run at Bendigo on Wednesday.

Gallic was one of Lloyd Williams winners and the top stayer won it twice a decade ago. Could another owned in similar colours take the 2018 Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo on Wednesday?

2018 BENDIGO CUP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Bendigo Cup is a Group 3 race run under Handicap conditions for open class stayers at Bendigo conducted by the Bendigo Jockey Club.

The Bendigo Cup is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1946 and was won by Skyway.

The race has been run over 2200m occasionally but mostly over the mile and a half in recent seasons.

The Bendigo Cup became a Listed race from 1979 then was a Group 3 from 2015.

In 2016 the Godolphin import Francis Of Assisi won the Bendigo Cup then backed up to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes by ten lengths. A year later Qewy won for Godolphin.

Four years earlier Puissance De Lune used a very similar pattern.

The Bendigo Cup is worth $350,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Bendigo Cup include Francis Of Assisi (2016), The Offer (2015), Sertorius (2013), Puissance De Lune (2012), Tanby (2011), Gallic (2004/2006), Frontier Boy (1993) and Manakau (1947).

The 2017 Bendigo Cup was won by Qewy from Kiwia and Foundry.