Where To Bet on the Levin Classic

Race Details:

Date: 2026.01.10
Grade: 1
Open To: Horses Aged Three Years
Track: Turf
Length: 1,600 Metres
Location: New Zealand


The Levin Classic, held in the first half of January each year during the Wellington Cup Carnival, is one of the most prestigious races of the year in New Zealand.

The race is open to three-year-old horses and is run at the Trentham Racecourse in Wellington. It has been staged at this venue and time since 2014; prior to that it was held at Otaki in the second half of November.

The Levin Classic was first run in 1981 and normally covers a turf distance of 1,600 meters. The purse for this race is approximately $400,000 NZD.


2025 Winner:

Savaglee (57 kg)
Jockey: Samantha Spratt
Trainer: Pam Gerard


History & Evolution:

The Levin Classic began in 1981 at Levin Racecourse. It moved to Otaki Racecourse in the 1990s and in 2014 was relocated to Trentham as part of the Wellington Cup Carnival. In 2024-25 the race was downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status following an official review.


Betting Odds & Tips:

The Levin Classic draws strong betting interest each season due to its status among three-year-olds in New Zealand. Common wagers include Win, Place, Each-Way, Exacta, and Trifecta.
Key factors to evaluate include pedigree and early three-year-old form, previous performances over 1,400-1,600 meters, and track familiarity at Trentham. With the race's move to January and a slight distance change to 1,400 meters in some years, the ability to handle early-season conditions is important. Also monitor barrier draw, horse weight (set-weights for age), rail position, and weather-affected turf conditions. Early market moves often surface after the key lead-up races in the spring.


Fun Fact:

One of the earliest winners of the Levin Classic was the legendary horse Bonecrusher in 1985, who went on to become a major New Zealand-Australia racing icon.


Key Takeaways:

- The Levin Classic is a flagship three-year-old turf race in New Zealand's summer calendar.
- Focus on horses showing strong early-season form, especially over 1,400-1,600 meters and at Trentham.
- Betting markets often offer value when combining form, barrier draw, and track condition factors.


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