Victoria Cup (harness race)
The Victoria Cup is the premier middle distance harness race of Australia. Conducted over 2575m, rather than the staying distance of over 3000m or the sprint distance of under 2000m, the Victoria Cup was run at the Melbourne Showgrounds up until 1975, when it was shifted to Moonee Valley. In 2009 the SEW Eurodrive Victoria Cup will be run at Harness Racing Victoria's new venue, Melton Entertainment Park at Melton. The race has been part of the Australasian Grand Circuit since 1987. Conducted in February from 1987 to 2003, the race is now conducted over two nights in December, alongside the Australasian Trotting Grand Prix.
The race record of 1.56.7 was set by Chokin (NZ) in 1994 when the race was run over 2380m. The race shifted to 2570m or 2575m due to a track upgrade. Double Identity in December 2003 held the record of a mile rate of 1.57.2 over the 2575m trip until Melpark Major's track record breaking performance of 1:55.8 in the 2008 event.
Winners
[edit]- 1974 - King's Mead (Standing Start)
- 1975 - King Frost (Standing Start)
- 1976 - Don't Retreat
- 1977 - Paleface Adios
- 1978 - Koala King
- 1979 - Koala King
- 1980 - Koala King
- 1981 - Frosty Imp
- 1982 - Popular Alm
- 1983 - Popular Alm
- 1984 - Preux Chevalier
- 1985 - Not Held
- 1987 (Feb) - Bag Limit
- 1988 - Bag Limit
- 1989 - Sinbad Bay
- 1990 - Sovereign Cloud
- 1991 - Sinbad Bay
- 1992 - Franco Ice (NZ)
- 1993 - Master Musician (NZ)
- 1994 - Chokin (NZ)
- 1995 - Golden Reign
- 1996 - Desperate Comment (NZ)
- 1997 - Desperate Comment (NZ)
- 1998 - Brabham (NZ)
- 1999 - Holmes D G (NZ)
- 2000 - Breeny's Fella
- 2001 - Shakamaker
- 2002 - Jofess
- 2003 (Feb) - Young Rufus (NZ)
- 2003 (Dec) - Double Identity
- 2004 - Sokyola (NZ)
- 2005 - Be Good Johnny
- 2006 - Blacks A Fake
- 2007 - Robin Hood
- 2008 - Melpark Major
- 2009 - Bettor's Strike (NZ)
- 2010 - Mr Feelgood
- 2011 - Smoken Up (NZ)
- 2012 - Caribbean Blaster
- 2013 - For A Reason
- 2014 - no race
- 2015 - Christen Me (NZ)
- 2016 - Lennytheshark
- 2017 - Lazarus (NZ)
- 2017 - Lennytheshark
- 2018 - Tiger Tara (NZ)
- 2019 - Bling It On
- 2020 - Lochinvar Art[1]
- 2021 - Max Delight[2]
- 2022 - Rock N Roll Doo (NZ)[3][4]
- 2023 - Act Now[5]
See also
[edit]- Miracle Mile Pace
- A G Hunter Cup
- Inter Dominion Pacing Championship
- New Zealand Trotting Cup
- Queensland Pacing Championship
- Harness racing in Australia
- Harness racing in New Zealand
References
[edit]- ^ "Lochinvar Art's Victoria Cup masterpiece - Harnesslink". October 10, 2020.
- ^ "Max Delight's upset Victoria Cup win".
- ^ "Victoria Cup win for NZ Cup-bound Rock N Roll Doo".
- ^ "Thrilling Rock N Roll Doo Group 1 sets up Victoria-New Zealand Cups assault".
- ^ Greig, Bevan (October 14, 2023). "Dramatic Victoria Cup goes to 80/1 longshot - Harnesslink".
External links
[edit]
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