Herbie Dyke Stakes

The Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) is the richest weight-for-age race in New Zealand, offering up a prize pool of NZ$400,000.

Formerly known as the New Zealand International Stakes, the race is run on the same day as the Waikato Sprint, making it two weight-for-age Group 1 events at the one meeting.

With the likes of Cox Plate winner Bonecrusher (1986), Captain Cook (1992) and Sangster (2013) on the honour roll, the Herbie Dyke Stakes is quickly growing in popularity.

2022 Herbie Dyke Stakes betting odds

• The Chosen One – $2.10
• Coventina Bay – $4.00
• Tiptronic – $5.50
• Vernanme – $12.00
• Sound – $13.00
• Harlech – $18.00
• Royal Performer – $20.00

Complete Herbie Dyke Stakes odds available at Sportsbet.

Top Herbie Dyke Stakes bookmakers

The Herbie Dyke Stakes generates betting interest from the likes of Australian, Japanese and Hong Kong punters, so bookmakers know how important framing an early market can be.

Popular races like the Herbie Dyke Stakes are attractive to futures punters who are hoping to lock in the big value on offer. Bookmakers will also offer fixed-odds win and place markets when the field is confirmed.

The online bookmakers listed below have markets available for the Herbie Dyke Stakes. If there are no odds listed, bookmakers can be contacted and odds on your desired runner will be given.

Sport Table

Herbie Dyke Stakes history

With the Herbie Dyke Stakes being used as a lead-up event to the Auckland Cup, only two horses have done the double since the turn of the century: Shez Sinsational (2012) and Sangster (2013).

Graeme Rogerson has three wins to his name in the Herbie Dyke, whilst Donna Logan, Murray Baker, Mike Moroney and Debbie Rogerson have tasted multiple successes in the race this century.

As with most New Zealand horse races, Michael Coleman (4) and Opie Bosson (3) have had the most success among jockeys in the Herbie Dyke Stakes.

The race record time of 1:58.80 was set by Captain Cook in 1992.

2021 Herbie Dyke Stakes results

Recent Herbie Dyke Stakes winners

• 2021: Royal Performer spoils Melody Belle's party
  All eyes were on the legendary Melody Belle, who was looking to bring up a remarkable 14 Group 1 wins. However, it was Royal Performer who caused a boilover when saluting at $20 in the Herbie Dyke Stakes. The former Hong Kong-based galloper managed to gain a perfect run in transit and whilst race favourite Melody Belle struck trouble, Jonathan Riddell managed to steal the race aboard Royal Performer. He managed to put a two-length margin on the ever consistent The Chosen One and in doing so handed Bob Vance his first Group 1 win as a trainer alongside his wife Jenny.
• 2020: Tiptronic gets his nose down just in time
  Having settled for a second-place finish in 2019, it was the Graham Richardson-trained Tiptronic who claimed a narrow victory in the Herbie Dyke Stakes. With South Island raider Camino Rocoso setting a breakneck speed in front, it was left to True Enough and Tiptronic to drag the field up to the tearaway who still led by six lengths approaching the home turn. The two then went stride for stride in the home straight and just as True Enough looked to have the race won, Tiptronic dug deep and broke his Group 1 maiden tag.
• 2019: On The Rocks hands Bayliss a second Group 1
  Michael Moroney & Pam Gerard caused somewhat of an upset when $15 chance On The Rocks handed jockey Jake Bayliss a second Group 1. The Australian-born Bayliss was enjoying his second stint in NZ and was given all the plaudit from co-trainer Pam Gerard. Having won the 2018 Railway Handicap aboard Volpe Veloce, it was another genuine Group 1 ride from Bayliss who had On The Rocks chasing the tearaway leaders a long way out from home. Having hit the front inside the final 300m mark, the entire had plenty left in reserve to hold off the likes of Tiptronic and Elusive Treasure.
• 2018: Lizzie L'amour smashes rivals
  Despite a poor showing in the Melbourne spring, the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Lizzie L’amour has capped the return to NZ with a dominant win in the Herbie Dyke Stakes. The win capped a remarkable 24 hours for the legendary Murray Baker who had been inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame the night before. The Zabeel mare raced close to the pace at Te Rapa before rider Matt Cameron allowed her to amble closer three wide across the top. They took control 250m from home and drew clear effortlessly to beat Windflower and the winner’s stablemate Nicoletta took third.
• 2017: Volkstok'n'barrell salutes for favourite punters
  Donna Logan picked up consecutive Herbie Dyke Stakes wins when Volkstok’n’barrell managed to salute as a $3 race favourite. Having been trapped away worse than midfield on the fence, Vinnie Coglan just need a touch of luck in the home straight as he seemingly had a lapful of horse underneath him. He managed to find a gap inside the final 300m and when hitting the front with 100m to go, he had to stage off the fast finishing Saville Row and did so by just under a length.

Past Herbie Dyke Stakes winners

Herbie Dyke Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000

Comments are closed.