{{Infobox horseraces | class = Group I | horse race = Rowe Cup | image = | caption = | location = Alexandra Park<br>Auckland, New Zealand | inaugurated = 1918 | race type = Standardbred - Flat racing | website = {{URL|http://www.alexandrapark.co.nz}} | distance = 3200m (2 miles) | surface = Dirt | track = Right-handed oval | qualification = Three-year-olds and up | purse = NZ $200,000 (2025) }} The '''Rowe Cup''' is a race held annually at Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand for standardbred horses.

The Rowe Cup is run over a distance of 3200&nbsp;m. Along with the Dominion Handicap raced at Addington Raceway it is one of the major harness races for trotters rather than pacers.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10569069">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=10569069&ref=rss |title=Racing: Trotting queen faces full Rowe Cup field |author=Guerin, Michael |date=28 April 2009 |work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=6 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=2710|title=GOLD N GOLD ARRIVES IN AUCKLAND|website=www.harnesslink.com}}</ref>

The Rowe Cup is currently held in early May on the same night as the Roy Purdon Memorial Handicap (Group 1) for pacers. Previously it was held later in May on the same night as the Auckland Cup and Northern Trotting Derby for 3 year old trotters. In 2024 Australian visitors Greg Sugars and Jess Tubbs won both Cups with Just Believe and Better Eclipse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/greg-sugars-grabs-rowe-cup-auckland-cup-double-at-alexandra-park/|title=Greg Sugars grabs Rowe Cup - Auckland Cup double at Alexandra Park|website=www.hrnz.co.nz}}</ref>

Between 1918 and 1971 it was raced in December.

==Records== '''Most wins:''' * 3 - Lyell Creek (2000, 2001, 2004)

'''Most wins by a driver:''' * 6 - Tony Herlihy (1991, 1997, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2022) * 5 - Peter Wolfenden (1960, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1980) * 4 - Anthony Butt (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004) * 4 - Maurice McKendry (1986, 1992, 1993, 2008) * 4 - J T Paul (1926, 1927, 1935, 1936) * 4 - R Young (1946, 1949, 1950, 1952) * 3 - M F Holmes (1956, 1959, 1961) * 3 - L J Mahoney (1938, 1939, 1941) * 3 - W Orange (1920, 1922, 1923)

== Winners list ==

The following are winners of the Rowe Cup:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs/major_races/major_race37.htm | title=HRNZ Rowe Cup results }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:35px" | Year <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:100px"| Horse <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:40px"| Hcp <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:360px"| Owner(s) <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:130px"| Driver <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:40px"| Time <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:100px"| 2nd <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:100px"| 3rd <br> |- |2026<ref>https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/mr-loves-win-a-huge-thrill-for-hopes-in-rowe-cup/</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/hope-wins-iconic-feature/|title=Hope wins iconic feature - Harnesslink|first=Bruce|last=Stewart|date=May 8, 2026}}</ref>||Mr Love||fr (7) ||Greg & Nina Hope|| Ben Hope||4:07.3||Oscar Bonavena||Hilbilly Blues |- |2025||Bet N Win<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/fitting-win-for-bet-n-win-in-big-trot/|title=Fitting win for Bet N Win in big $200,000 trot - Harnesslink|first=Bruce|last=Stewart|date=May 3, 2025}}</ref>||fr (1)||Odds On Syndicate, P I Baken, R Cole, P I & G J Kennard Bloodstock Limited, Breckon Racing Syndicate, Mrs M J White, C J Markham, A Di lorio, Est W A Ramsay, P I Marriott ||Bob Butt||4:06:5||Mr Love ||Queen Elida |- |2024||Just Believe<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/australia/champion-trotter-just-believe-retires/|title=Champion trotter Just Believe retires - Harnesslink|first=Terry|last=Gange|date=January 18, 2025}}</ref>||fr (6)||Iona Trotter Syndicate ||Greg Sugars<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/two-cups-end-a-successful-new-zealand-odyssey-for-team-larajay/|title=Two Cups end a successful New Zealand odyssey for team Larajay|first=Michael Guerin for|last=HRNZ|website=Harness Racing Victoria}}</ref>||4:06.1||Oscar Bonavena ||Midnight Dash |- |2023||Love N The Port|| fr (1)||K P Ussher & Mrs S E White||Matthew Williamson||4:06.84|| Oscar Bonavena||Eurokash |- |2022||Bolt For Brilliance<ref>{{cite web | url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/big-upset-in-250000-rowe-cup/ | title=Big upset in $250,000 Rowe Cup - Harnesslink | date=27 May 2022 }}</ref>||fr (2)||Mrs S Herlihy, D I Donaldson, P J Hailes, Mrs J M Mathews ||Tony Herlihy||4:01.24||Temporale ||Sundees Son |- |2021||Sundees Son|| fr|| Colin & Nancy Hair<ref>https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/vale-colin-hair/</ref>||John Dunn || 4:06.61||Bolt For Brilliance ||Temporale |- |2019||Sundees Son||fr || Colin & Nancy Hair || John Dunn || 4:06.2||Speeding Spur ||Majestic Man |- |2018|| Speeding Spur||fr || Woodlands Partnership, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, R J Taylor, D Hewett || Joshua Dickie || 4:08.2|| Monty Python ||Temporale |- |2017||Temporale||fr || D P Biddlecombe, D I Donaldson, Mrs S Herlihy, K J Riseley || Tony Herlihy<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/92039784/tony-herlihy-takes-out-fifth-rowe-cup-with-peach-of-a-drive | title=Tony Herlihy takes out fifth Rowe Cup with peach of a drive | date=28 April 2017 }}</ref> || 4:07.9||Habibti Ivy||Bordeaux |- |2016||Monbet||fr ||Greg Hope, Nina Hope, M J Molloy || Ricky May|| 4:06.3|| Valmagne||Queen Kenny |- |2015|| Stent||fr||Trevor Casey<ref>https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/new-blog-post-150/</ref>||Colin DeFilippi||4:03.6||Master Lavros||Alley Way |- |2014||Master Lavros ||fr || Kypros Kotzikas || Mark Jones || 4:06.4|| Sheemon||Boizel |- |2013||Stig ||fr ||T G Butt, Mrs Andrea Butt, J S Boyd, Mrs R I Boyd, R G Thomas, Ms J A Gordon || David Butt || 4:06.1||Springbank Sam ||Boizel |- |2012||I Can Doosit ||fr || Ken & Karen Breckon || Mark Purdon || 4:05.0||Springbank Richard ||Dr Hook |- |2011||I Can Doosit ||fr || Ken & Karen Breckon || Mark Purdon || 4:08.2||Dr Hook||Raydon |- |2010||Sundon's Gift ||fr || Neven Botica || Chris Lang|| 4:08.5|| Stylish Monarch||Leighton Hest |- |2009||One Over Kenny ||fr || L E Williams, Mrs H R Williams || Tony Herlihy ||4:07.0|| Springbank Richard||Cornishman |- |2008||Our Sunny Whiz ||fr ||R A, R M & K A Southey, Mrs S D Lean || Maurice McKendry ||4:12.4||Lotsa Speed||Braig |- |2007||One Over Kenny ||fr ||L E & Mrs. H R Williams || Tony Herlihy ||4:09.0||Our Sunny Whiz ||Summer Man |- |2006||Inspire ||fr ||Red And White Syndicate, R G H Thomson, G J & P C Nairn || Paul Nairn ||4:13.0||Rosscoe ||Romper Stomper |- |2005||Martina H ||fr ||K D Marr, I D Malcolm, Derek Balle || Derek Balle ||4:09.4||Delft ||Young Pointer |- |2004||Lyell Creek ||fr ||Mrs K L Butt, Graham Bruton,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wild-ride-of-gambler-who-ran/DGEXHJBJIXBW5EEOK6YZ62LY4Y/|title=Wild ride of gambler who ran - New Zealand News|date=May 2, 2025|website=NZ Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-steel-balls-is-back-and-hot-to-trot/35XXYDN3AQRODFZ7CQK5LMVWKA/|title=Racing: 'Steel Balls' is back and hot to trot|website=NZ Herald}}</ref> The Creek Syndicate || Anthony Butt ||4:07.7||Young Pointer ||Sophocles |- |2003|| Take A Moment ||fr ||Long Drive Syndicate || Anthony Butt ||4:08.0|| Martina H||Cordon Rouge |- |2002||La Coocaracha<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harness.org.au/grandcirc/2001/t_nzrowe.htm|title=Australasian Grand Circuit - Stories 2001/2002 - NZ Rowe Cup|website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref> ||15 m ||L J & S Christou/B Meani/G Meani|| Kerryn Manning ||4:05.3||Frugal Echo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/edwards-calls-time-on-her-training-career/|title=Edwards calls time on her training career - Harnesslink|first=Dave Di|last=Somma|date=June 17, 2025}}</ref> ||Major Decision |- |2001|| Lyell Creek ||15 m ||A M Butt, Graham Bruton, The Creek Syndicate || Anthony Butt ||4:06.0||Fleur's Invasion ||Last Sunset |- |2000|| Lyell Creek ||15 m ||Graham Bruton || Anthony Butt ||4:05.8||Sundon's Way ||Special Force |- |1999||Mountain Gold||fr ||The Dual Code Syndicate|| Barry Purdon|| 4:13.8||Miss Whiplash ||Sundowner Bay |- |1998||Merinai ||10 m || J F Bedwell, Miss A M Bedwell, Mrs M E Hill || James Stormont ||4:08.6||McGrady ||Buster Hanover |- |1997||Eastburn Grant ||fr || L A Barnett || Ken Barron || 4:08.8|| || |- |1996||Wagon Apollo ||fr || N G Aitken, D V Lang ||Graeme Lang ||4:09.5|| || |- |1995||So Long Eden ||fr ||Ms M J Millar, W J Bishop || Colin De Filippi ||4:06.7|| || |- |1994||Diamond Field ||10 m ||Southland St'Breds No 2 Syndicate|| Tony Herlihy ||4:15.6|| || |- |1993||David Moss ||fr ||Est H W Cox, O Andersen || Maurice McKendry ||4:09.8|| || |- |1992||Directorship ||fr ||Classic Nine Syndicate || Maurice McKendry ||4:13.5|| || |- |1991||Gee du Jour ||fr ||A D Cain, S J Adlam, J A Lischner || Tony Herlihy ||4:12.3|| || |- |1990||Idle Scott ||fr ||R F Hunt, M K Chubb, G R Mason, D K Gibbons || Dave Gibbons ||4:10.8|| || |- |1989 || Yankee Loch|| fr ||D K Gibson, Mrs R M Gibson || Jim Curtin|| 4:14.0|| || |- |1988 || Highwood|| fr|| W E Stapleton, L J Hanrahan || Ricky May ||4:14.4|| || |- |1987 || Landora's Pride ||fr|| C T Allingham, Mrs V M Allingham || John Langdon ||4:12.8|| || |- |1986 || Mairo Sultan ||Fr ||K Miller, Mrs J P Miller || Maurice McKendry ||4:19.3|| || |- |1985 || Tussle|| fr ||Dr C H G Irvine ||Peter N Jones ||4:20.6|| || |- |1984 || Jenner|| fr|| Kenwood Syndicate || John Langdon ||4:13.6|| || |- |1983 || Sir Castleton ||fr|| M S MacPherson || Patrick G O'Reilly jnr ||4:17.0|| || |- |1982 || Stormy Morn ||15m|| P G Moore || A J (Tony) Perucich ||4:25.3|| || |- |1981 || No Response ||10m|| F T N Black || Richard J Brosnan|| 4:18.2|| || |- |1980 || Special Pride|| fr ||P J & Mrs M C Harnett || Peter Wolfenden ||4:24.6|| || |- |1979 || Even Speed|| fr ||I H Langford & Dr B W Nixon || Wes Butt|| 4:22.0|| || |- |1978 || Ritch Hill|| fr|| E W & T R Running || Bruce Running|| 4:21.0|| || |- |1977 || Framalda|| 10m ||A L Daly & F L H Mooney || Peter Wolfenden ||4:17.9|| || |- |1976 || Easton Light|| 40m ||E W & T R Running || Bruce Running ||4:19.4|| || |- |1975 || Robyn Evander|| fr|| P Butterworth & J E Smith || Jim Smith|| 4:22.5|| || |- |1974 || Cee Ar ||fr ||R H De Filippi & V Ford || Denis Nyhan|| 4:17.3|| || |- |1973 || Miss Debra ||12 yds|| J R Longville, V Nicholson & G Wood || H P (Paddy) Timmins|| 4:25.8|| || |- |1971 || Paulette ||scr ||A Gibbon || Dave Gibbons|| 4:36.4|| || |- |1970 || Global Hall|| scr ||R D Butt & E Gaffaney || Robin D Butt|| 4:18.6|| || |- |1969 || Single Cash|| 30 yds|| S R Landon & L E B File || Peter Wolfenden ||4:19.2|| || |- |1968 || Single Cash ||12 yds|| S R Landon & L E B File || Peter Wolfenden ||4:22.4|| || |- |1967 || Mountain Pride ||scr ||J E Smith & Estate L J Ashworth || Jim Smith ||4:23.4|| || |- |1966 || Scotleigh|| scr ||C R Griffin || Cecil R Griffin|| 4:21.4|| || |- |1965 || Astralight|| 12 yds|| W F Woolley ||Jack Carmichael|| 4:25.0|| || |- |1964 || Dreaming|| scr ||A H Edge || Colin McDonald|| 4:23.0|| || |- |1963 || Pohutukawa|| 24 yds ||R J & G M Oliver || Doody Townley ||4:18.6|| || |- |1962 || Pohutukawa ||36 yds|| R J & G M Oliver || Robert J Oliver ||4:21.6|| || |- | 1961 || Ordeal|| 78 yds|| Mrs L M Bradley ||M Holmes ||4:14.0|| || |- | 1960 || Jewel Derby ||72 yds ||E C Parker ||Peter Wolfenden ||4:27.0|| || |- | 1959 || Recruit ||78 yds ||J J Rooney || M Holmes ||4:24.8|| || |- | 1958 || Battle Cry ||72 yds ||Mrs & E S Baxter || Wes Butt ||4:21.2|| || |- | 1957 || Tapuwae ||scr ||Mrs M Adam || Lawrence Greenaway ||4:32.8|| || |- | 1956|| Recruit ||132 yds|| J Rooney ||M Holmes ||4:20.4|| || |- | 1955 || Indian Parrish ||12 yds ||A Ogilvie || O Nicholas ||4:31.6|| || |- | 1954|| Quick Silver|| 24 yds ||Mrs J N Oliver || W K Tatterson ||4:30.4|| || |- | 1953 || Rewa Scott ||36 yds|| W A Craddock & R Curragh || D Jones ||4:27.0|| || |- | 1952|| Indomitable|| scr ||W E Hyslop || R Young ||4:30.6|| || |- | 1951|| Fair Isle ||36 yds|| V Alborn & E J August || V Alborn ||4:27.6|| || |- | 1950 || Gay Belwyn|| 60 yds|| Mrs E A Berryman ||R Young ||4:30.6|| || |- | 1949 || Single Task ||12 yds|| Brownson Bros || R Young|| 4:26.0|| || |- | 1948|| Bellisima|| 72 yds ||W E Sticking || C R Berkett|| 4:44.0|| || |- | 1947|| Noble Star|| scr|| J Mearn || A W Broughton ||4:32.0|| || |- | 1946|| Aerial Scott ||24 yds|| J Spier ||R Young ||4:45.0|| || |- | 1945 || Casablanca|| 72 yds|| S T Webster ||J B Pringle ||4:34.0|| || |- | 1944 || Fantom<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/fantoms-rowe-cup-double-in-the-1940s/|title=Fantom's Rowe Cup double in the 1940s|website=www.hrnz.co.nz}}</ref> ||24 yds ||J R McKenzie || G B Noble ||4:33.0|| || |- | 1943|| Douglas McElwyn|| 36 yds|| L F Berkett ||L F Berkett|| 4:33.6|| || |- | 1942 || Fantom|| scr|| J R McKenzie || G B Noble|| 4:35.4|| || |- | 1941 || Jimmy Drusus ||scr ||P V Flexman ||L J Mahoney ||4:42.0|| || |- | 1940 || Margin ||scr ||C Moran ||C Moran ||4:40.0|| || |- | 1939 || Gay Moko|| 36 yds ||J Mahoney || L J Mahoney ||4:41.4|| || |- | 1938 || Pirate's Last ||60 yds ||J Mahoney ||L J Mahoney ||4:39.2|| || |- | 1937 || Parrish Belle ||36 yds ||A G Pillinger ||A G Pillinger ||4:34.6|| || |- | 1936 || Great Admiral ||48 yds ||J T Paul ||J T Paul ||4:33.0|| || |- | 1935 || Great Admiral ||60 yds ||J T Paul || J T Paul ||4:36.0|| || |- | 1934 || Nell Volo ||108 yds|| F J Smith || F J Smith ||4:26.4|| || |- | 1933 || Nell Volo ||scr ||F J Smith || F J Smith|| 4:41.0|| || |- | 1932 || Garner ||scr || E C McDermot || E C McDermott ||3:27.0 (1.5 miles)|| || |- | 1931 || Surprise Journey ||96 yds|| G J Barton || W J Tomkinson ||4:32.6|| || |- | 1930 || Raima ||24 yds ||J H Lloyd ||J A Gerrard ||4:34.0|| || |- | 1929 || Raima|| scr ||J H Lloyd ||J J Kennerly ||4:45.2|| || |- | 1928 || Kempton|| scr ||Mrs E Berryman || C S Donald ||4:40.4|| || |- | 1927 || Waikaha|| 12 yds|| J T Paul || J T Paul ||4:36.6|| || |- | 1926 || Waikaha ||24 yds ||J T Paul || J T Paul ||4:37.8|| || |- | 1925 || Rose Bingen ||36 yds|| C Johnstone|| W Willietts ||4:36.0|| || |- | 1924 || Pyramus ||24 yds|| F J Rayner|| A J Julian|| 4:44.4|| || |- | 1923 || Mutu ||scr|| A W Jones || W Orange ||4:44.0|| || |- | 1922 || Aerial Bingen ||36 yds|| J Pettie || W Orange|| 4:45.8|| || |- | 1921 || Native King ||24 yds|| B Shadbolt || B Shadbolt Jnr|| 4:46.0|| || |- | 1920 || Grattan Abbey|| scr ||W Orange || W Orange|| 4:48.0|| || |- | 1919 || Bluewood ||scr ||R M Morten || J Bryce ||4:54.6|| || |- | 1918 || Whist ||48 yds ||J R Corrigan || A Adams|| 4:48.4 |}

There was no race in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

==Other major races== * Dominion Handicap * Inter Dominion Trotting Championship * Inter Dominion Pacing Championship * Auckland Trotting Cup * New Zealand Trotting Cup * Great Northern Derby * Noel J Taylor Mile * New Zealand Messenger

==See also == * Harness racing in New Zealand

==References== {{reflist|2}}

Category:Harness horse races in New Zealand Category:Horse races in New Zealand Category:Harness racing in New Zealand Category:Rowe Cup winners