The Captain Cook Stakes is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for milers at Trentham course conducted by the Wellington Racing Club.

The Captain Cook Stakes is run over 1600m.

The Captain Cook Stakes was moved to the December date so it avoided clashing with the Hastings G1 features.

Danzdanzdance ran in the 3yo features but graduated to open company later in the year and won two G1s including this one.

After many attempts and G1 placings, Wyndspelle finally got his G1 win in the 2019 edition. It was a similar scenario in 2022 for Prise De Fer who was contesting his 13th G1 race in winning.

In 2020 Rock On Wood was trained to win by Leanne Elliot and ridden by her son Ryan Elliot. It was also owned by her mother and sister too.

The 2021 version was delayed a week after it was abandoned at Trentham. Subsequently it was conducted at Te Rapa.

There was drama in the 2023 running as the last few gates failed to open meaning it was a false start. Amazingly those three horses that did not race in the first 300m of the false start ran 1/2/4 in the re-run.

Captain Cook Stakes was worth NZ$400,000 in 2023.

Notable winners of Captain Cook Stakes include Rock On Wood (2020), Danzdanzdance (2018), Kawi (2017), Shuka (2013/2014), Mufhasa (2011), Dorabella (2007), Penny Gem (2003), Tit For Taat/Elevenses D/H (2002), Cinder Bella (2000), Cent Home (1999), Foxwood (1998), Marquise (1996), Allegro (1995), Rough Habit (1992) and Solveig (1986).

The 2023 Captain Cook Stakes was won by Desert Lightning from Faraglioni and Malt Time.