Why Australian punters should be watching the North America Cup this Sunday

For most Australian racing fans, Sunday morning means one thing.

Coffee in hand, replays from Saturday, and perhaps a quick look at what happened overnight.

This weekend, however, there is a very good reason to set the alarm a little earlier.

The 43rd running of the Pepsi North America Cup takes centre stage at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Canada, bringing together the best three-year-old pacers on the continent to compete for a purse of $1 million. The feature headlines a card worth more than $2.5 million in prizemoney, making it one of the richest and most prestigious nights on the North American harness racing calendar.

While Australian thoroughbred punters are familiar with events like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup, the North America Cup occupies a similar place in harness racing.

Since its inception in 1984, the race has become a launching pad for future stars, producing champions that often go on to dominate the sport’s biggest races and later become influential stallions.

CHECK OUT The Horseplayers Journal: Full preview and tips for the meeting

For Australian and New Zealand harness fans, there is another reason to take notice.

Three of the most recognisable names from our part of the world will be represented in the feature.

New Zealand-born superstar Dexter Dunn, one of the most successful expatriate reinsmen in North America, will chase another major international victory aboard Brandon Blvd. Dunn has become a household name in North American harness racing since relocating overseas, winning virtually every major race on the calendar.

Joining him is Andrew McCarthy, who drives Azrael Blue Chip, while fellow Australian Todd McCarthy is represented in the final through Lindy Dragonwater, a horse he helped qualify through the elimination series before final driving engagements were confirmed. Between them, the trio have become standard bearers for Australasian harness racing on the world stage.

The race itself shapes as a fascinating contest.

Much of the attention centres around Beau Jangles, last season’s Horse of the Year who won his first 15 starts before suffering his first defeat in last week’s North America Cup eliminations. His conqueror was Odds On Mr Mamba, a colt regarded as one of the fastest young pacers in North America and now one of the favourites for the final.

WATCH: Beau Jangles defeated in the elimination

The elimination series has added genuine intrigue to the race.

For the first time in his career, Beau Jangles enters a race with questions to answer. Odds On Mr Mamba enters with momentum after toppling the previously unbeaten star, while Brandon Blvd has also emerged as a major player after a strong elimination performance.

Beyond the Cup itself, the meeting showcases the very best of North American harness racing.

The undercard includes the Fan Hanover Stakes, Roses Are Red Stakes, Goodtimes Stakes, Armbro Flight Stakes and Mohawk Gold Cup, ensuring Sunday’s program is packed with elite-level performers and championship-calibre racing.

For Australian punters who enjoy following our stars abroad, this is arguably the biggest international harness race of the year.

Three familiar Australasian reinsmen. A $1 million purse. A champion attempting to bounce back from his first defeat.

There are plenty of reasons to tune in. Sky Channel will be covering the meeting throughout Sunday morning and into the early afternoon.

2026 Pepsi North America Cup Final Field (12.48pm AEST Sunday June 14)

Race 11 – $1,000,000 (CAD) Pepsi North America Cup

North America Cup Final Time: Sunday morning (AEST) from Woodbine Mohawk Park, Canada.

Let’s dive deeper and meet the field for the 43rd Pepsi #NACup. 📈

Who are you riding with? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/pcZluSCS6y

— Woodbine Mohawk Park (@WoodbineSB) June 9, 2026