Almost 39 years ago, the time-honoured Italian Cup – then staged at Moonee Valley – provided one of the most exalted and iconic moments in southern hemisphere harness racing history.
Back then the trots still permeated Australia’s public sporting consciousness. In more modern parlance, so the kids can comprehend, the trots were dope, legit, on point and fire.
And no horse symbolised the sport’s epic significance more than pin-up pacer Popular Alm.
On October 20, 1984, ‘Poppy’, as a generation of adoring zealots knew him, was returning from a broken leg; less to replicate former glories and more to ensure his loving public sent him off in style.
The mood was mixed.
On the one hand, life’s eternal optimists were certain their standardbred idol would mesmerise the masses as he’d done so often through his magical career.
On the other, fears abounded that failure, or worse yet, another major injury, would sully the great one’s legacy or break the hearts of those who loved Poppy in a way few athletes were adored.
After all, sporting history is littered with crushing comeback narratives; and legends don’t get spared.
Think Ali, think Borg, think Spitz or even Jordan.
Fortunately, Bob and Vinny Knight’s equine enigma was up to this challenge; winning the ’84 Italian Cup to the roars of an enormous, ecstatic crowd at what would be his penultimate performance.
Reflecting on harness racing’s halcyon days is comforting for many. Let’s face it, nostalgia rocks.
Despite the joy that such wonderful memories bring, however, they cannot help us now.
Life has changed and, more poignantly, sport has changed.
In ’84 the AFL was the VFL and played on suburban grounds, racing was consumed through the wireless if you weren’t on course and the world’s top tennis players served with wooden racquets.
The past, you see, is a foreign country and we’re never going back.
Tonight, Melton Park will host another Italian Cup.
There are no Poppys engaged, but the field is strong, the meeting is strong.
And even though harness racing will never draw the crowds or revel in the relevance it once did; the sport remains as glorious and grandiose as ever.
Tonight, Victoria’s post-modern stars will record times their predecessors could hardly have imagined.
Tonight, the stalls will be filled with legendary trainers and megastar drivers just as has always been the case.
And once again, we’ll get to witness the majesty of Queen Elida; the mighty mare who might well represent Australian trotting on a global stage next year in the same way Just Believe, who races in Europe tonight, is doing so wonderfully right now.
It’s fun to peer backward, but don’t stare so long that you miss the majesty of what’s worth celebrating now.
The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.