Coongy Cup

The Coongy Cup is a Group 3 race run under Handicap conditions for open class horses at Caulfield conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Coongy Cup is run over 2000m. It was first run in 1898 and was won by Hymettus.

It was run at Sandown a couple of times but the rest at Caulfield.

The Coongy Cup has been as far as a mile and a half but essentially has been at 2000m.

The Coongy Cup was a Principal race then a Group 3 from 1978.

It was previously run on the Wednesday before the Caulfield Cup and sometimes as a final qualifier for the Cup. It then went to be on Cup day but reverted to the Wednesday again and became the last exempt race in 2019.

The Epsom Handicap had been a great guide to the Coongy in recent years.

Best Of Days would drop back to win the G1 Mile on Derby day after winning this in 2018.

Duais was already an Oaks winner but won this race and then in the Autumn came back to be superb in winning the Australian Cup and Tancred Stakes.

The Coongy Cup was worth $200,000 in 2023.

Notable winners of the Coongy Cup include Duais (2021), Best Of Days/Mask Of Time (2018), Stratum Star (2015), Contributer (2014), Foreteller (2011), Baughurst (2008/2009), Maybe Better (2006), Activation (2005), Oliver Twist (1999), Circles Of Gold (1996), Excited Angel (1994), Fraar (1992), Kessem (1990), Eye Of The Sky (1989), Ideal Centreman (1988), Rose Of Kingston (1982), Tails (1969) and Shadow King (1930).

The 2023 Coongy Cup was won by Muramasa from Diamil and Gregolimo.