With Mildura Cup week fast approaching, the usual high number of visitors will head to the Sunraysia oasis for a fun-filled and enjoyable week including three nights of racing action on the track.

The carnival starts on Tuesday April 19, featuring heats of the Mildura Cup, and continues on Friday April 22, when the trotters go on show, before the all-important Mildura Pacing Cup Final on Saturday April 23.

Mildura is Victorian harness racing's only one-week carnival involving racing over three nights.

The Cup was first held in 1957 when Manang (Peter Carr) and Simple Joe (M Bourke) each received 150 pounds for winning from a 24-yard handicap in mile rates of 2:16.8 and 2:15.2 respectively, with the race was split after 25 nominations were received.

The great race has been held every year since, the exception being 2020 when covid put a stop to racing.

The race has grown in stature over the years, having been won by champions of the time such as San Carlo, Hectorjayjay, Arden Rooney, Safari, Sokyola (three times), Wally Walton, Newsbreaker, Lord Setay and Son Of Nancy (twice) and the Knight quintet of French Babe, The Unicorn, Jane Ellen, Our Maestro and Louisville Lip.

Interstate raiders Bold Alabar, Blue Proof, Dillon Raider, Cassius Court, Conmurra Chief, Already, Reichman, Achamar Chief, Kallawarra King, Bens Image and Im Blue Double Dee have also taken away the major prize.

Leo O’Connor’s ageless gelding The Phoenix must hold a record after competing in seven Mildura Cups, eventually being rewarded in 1993 after Classic Alba was disqualified.

I was honored to receive not so long back a copy of a Mildura racebook from the fourth ever meeting by what was listed as the Sunraysia Trotting Club on Saturday December 31, 1955.

Having worked at Mildura trots for many years there were some wonderful names competing on the night that I can relate to such as Merv Wright (listed at - Manangatang/Sea Lake), Bob Johnstone (Irymple), Jack Thurlow (Yatpool), Harry Bysouth (Balranald/Mildura), Paddy Dunn (Merrinee), Dave Kentish (Piangil), Harry Carr (Manangatang), Jack Cumming (Mystic Park), Jack Munro (Ouyen) and Ian Mackay (Red Cliffs).

South Australia’s Rex Robinson, who was a regular visitor, W Mellor (Renmark), F Sedgman (Mallalla), M Bourke (Barmera), F Cramey (Broken Hill), R Perry (Renmark), F Colls (Renmark) and T Jenkins (Barmera) all travelled to the meeting, which consisted of seven races, supplemented by six cycle events in between.

The feature race on the program was the New Year Free For all over 12 furlongs with the 70-pound stake split up of 55 pounds and a trophy, second 10 pounds and third five pounds.

It’s interesting to note at every Mildura meeting at the time there was a trotters handicap on the program over 12 furlongs, with handicaps spread out from the scratch mark to 96 yards.

Trotting Control Board’s George Rouse was Chairman of Stewards and Jack Rowe the course broadcaster, with the race book priced at 1/6.

After three meetings, the leading owner was Paddy Dunn, trainer R Perry and driver South Australia’s Rex Robinson, who had made a habit of campaigning at all three.

In those days, in all probability, South Australians had to cross the Murray by punt at Barmera to continue on to Mildura.

The Mildura tradition will continue in April and should anyone want to attend Cup week they can go to milduraharness.org.au for more information.

If you haven’t experienced Mildura before, you’re in for a big surprise.