Racing: Lack of runners cans Waverley Cup

The last time the Steelform Roofing Group Waverley Cup was run, in 2012, northern visitor Better Together edged out Petergabriel. Photo/File

The Waverley Racing Club will celebrate its 140th anniversary on Sunday without its historic feature race.

The $30,000 Steelform Roofing Group Waverley Cup for open handicappers was pulled from Sunday's programme after only three horses were nominated for the 2200-metre event. And those three horses were also nominated for other races on the card, so the club had no option but to can the cup.

The Waverley Racing Club was formed in 1874 and the Cup is as old as the club itself.

This meeting was abandoned last season when New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing officials deemed the Waverley track too dangerous for racing because of the drought that gripped the country.

The last time the time-honoured country cup was run was in 2012.

Club president John Boon, who was in the process of watering the track when the Chronicle called, said he was at a loss to know why the $30,000 handicap event had not been supported this season.

"It could be a number of reasons or a combination," Boon said yesterday.

"It may be a reflection of the horses around at this time of year, or the track. We haven't had any significant rain lately and last weekend was a bit of a non event when Cyclone Lusi was supposed to hit the country.

"It's a shame the cup had to be pulled from the programme, but the rest of the card looks pretty good and I'm sure our loyal supporters will be out in force again this year. With the race not run since 2012 it may mean we look at an alternative date for the cup," Boon said.

Sunday's meeting is now an eight-race card with the first race at 12.40pm and will finish at 4.25pm.