Waikato Sprint

Waikato Sprint, raced as BCD Group Sprint
Group I race
LocationTe Rapa Racecourse
Hamilton, New Zealand
Inaugurated1974
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance1400m (7 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
WeightWeight for Age

The Waikato Sprint currently run as the BCD Group Sprint is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run at Te Rapa Racecourse in Hamilton in early February.

It is currently held on the same day as the Group 1 Herbie Dykes Stakes.

The list of winners includes almost every top-class sprinter-miler to have raced in New Zealand in the last three decades, and is highlighted by the back-to-back victories by champion mare Sunline in 2001-02.

The well-performed gelding Mufhasa won the 2009 and 2011 events (also winning the Telegraph Handicap in both of these years) and was also 2nd in 2012 and 3rd in 2010.

Courier Bay won in both 1987 and 1988 but was unable to get a third win, running second by 1 1/4 lengths to the reigning Cox Plate winner, Poetic Prince, the following year.