Victoria’s second biggest pacing race of the season – the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup – will be the focus of all attention on Saturday, October 8 at Tabcorp Park Melton when a stellar field once again contests the big feature over 2240 metres.
First held for a stake of $30,000 at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 1974 under the banner of The Winfield Cup, Kings Mead – a gelding by Meadow Lawn from Queen’s Crown trained by Trevor Spry and driven by Bill Le Sueur – led throughout over 2530 metres to record a mile rate of 2:08.7.
When harness racing re-located to Moonee Valley, the 1979 edition was renamed to become the Victoria Cup. NSW pacer Don’t Retreat (Laurie Moulds) was the victor over 2400 metres while returning a mile rate of 2:09.
A list of who’s who have contested the race over the years, with champion horses such as Paleface Adios, Koala King, Popular Alm, Sinbad Bay, Franco Ice, Major Musician, Chokin, Desperate Comment, Sokyola and Smoken Up all winners along with Inter Dominion victors Preux Chevalier, Jofess, Golden Reign, Blakes A Fake, Shakamaker, Lazarus, Lennytheshark and Tiger Tara (pictured) just to name a few.
One of the most controversial results was Bag Limit in 1988 for the Bob and Vin Knight combination when a massive crowd in attendance booed Vin on return to the presentation area for around 10 minutes before, during and after the presentations had taken place, citing a massive form reversal. Vin was fined by HRV stewards for his comments during this presentation.
Bag Limit, after a dismal performance a week earlier, had circled the field to assume control with two laps to travel, accounting for Luxury Liner and Rufus Young Blood in a mile rate of 1:58.5.
Another winner to attract huge attention in 1990 was Queenslander Sovereign Cloud (Brad Connelly), who pulled off a massive plunge when defeating Thorate and Reba Lord in 1:58.9.
Referred to by many as the “Cox Plate” of harness racing, Melton is the place to be on Saturday, October 8.
