Levin Classic New Zealand

All-in odds for the Levin Classic are released around a month in advance but the final field is confirmed a few days before the race. 

We will have all the latest odds when markets are released by bookmakers.

Originally raced as the Levin Turf Classic, the race was then known as the Bayer Classic, it’s primary sponsor. 

 

The Levin Classic has first run in 1981 when taken out by the Bill Ford-trained Altitude. It was ridden by Stephen Autridge, who would later in the race as a trainer with Hall of Fame in 2017 and Age of Fire in 2018.

 

During the early 2000’s there was concern about the race not fitting nicely into the NZ Racing calendar. It took some years before the race was moved from November to January, which avoided a clash with the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. 

Champion winners we haven’t mentioned yet include Bonecrusher and Veandercross, which were both champions on either side of the Tasman. They help set the Levin Classic as the popular Group 1 race it is today.

The field contains the best three-year-old runners in New Zealand. Due to the nature of age-group racing, there are often some well-backed runners every year. 

We will have the confirmed field when it’s released by the NZTR.

Generally speaking, good horses win the Levin Classic, which is why it’s ranked as the top New Zealand Group 1 thoroughbred race.

 

Names such as Madison County, Southern Lord, Wahid and O’Reilly grace the past winners list and there’s a stack of other champion winners which we haven’t mentioned. 

Since moving the race from Otaki to Trentham in 2014, punters have seen consistent results from the favourites, which is typically a positive for bettors. 

Follow the age-group leading up to the race and look for the runners which will appreciate the mile based on their breeding.

The Levin Classic is Race 7 on the nine-race card at Trentham in January. The meeting also includes the Trentham Stakes and Anniversary Handicap. 

In 2019, the Levin Classic was run at 4:17pm local time.