Unfortunately, part and parcel of the racing game is setbacks, injuries and challenges.

Someone once told me early on that there are usually more downs than ups in racing and that is why you have to enjoy the highlights as much as you can.

With the racetrack return of champion pacer Lochinvar Art this weekend, I took a look back at Arty’s career to this point.

Connections have had plenty of concerns with his injury woes since that memorable A.G. Hunter Cup victory in February of 2022, but there have been so many highs that no doubt outweigh these recent struggles.

Trying to choose just five of Arty’s most memorable wins was a challenge. There’s 28 victories in total - including seven at Group 1 level - track records, unthinkable runs and moments that give you goosebumps to this day.

I think it can sometimes be easy to forget with the constant emergence of new talent and X-factor horses, but when Arty was at his peak he drew new people into the sport.

He had a following and fans that would make the trip to Melton just to see him grace the track.

While we must wait and simply hope that we can see the six-year-old back to his best this campaign, let’s use the next five days to reveal my favourite Lochinvar Art performances.

5. VICBRED SUPER SERIES (4YO ENTIRES & GELDINGS) FINAL

DECEMBER 31, 2020

MELTON

It was during his period of absolute dominance and after drawing barrier one that Lochinvar Art went around as a short-priced favourite in the Vicbred Super Series Final, but few would have predicted the way that he would blow away a Group 1 field to win by over 30 metres.

A brilliant call by Dan Mielicki captured the moment that the Arty party hit full swing.

4. PRYDE'S EASIFEED VICTORIA CUP

OCTOBER 10, 2020

MELTON

Tactics were the talk in the lead-up to the 2020 Prydes Easifeed Victoria Cup.

From barrier seven, King of Swing was able to push forward and find the front, a position he dominated from throughout his entire career.

With a lap to go, David Moran made his move on Arty, and to the Melton crowd’s surprise, was able to drop in on the King’s back when Balraj failed to hold the position behind the leader with 800m to go.

The two champs drew well clear of the rest of the field up the straight, with Arty putting King of Swing away in a scintillating track record mile rate of 1:51.4min.

3. CHARIOTS OF FIRE

FEBRUARY 22, 2020

MENANGLE

There was little that separated boom horses Lochinvar Art and Self Assured in the market leading into the 2020 Chariots of Fire after their stunning 4YO Bonanza clash the month prior.

A brilliant piece of driving by Mark Purdon saw Self Assured land the one-one on Lochinvar Art’s back for the 1609m journey, but as we have seen on so many occasions, Arty lifted when required.

After death-seating throughout, he held off all challengers to take out the $200,000 Group 1 in 1:50.1 with a brilliant final quarter of 25.5.

2. ALABAR 4YO BONANZA

JANUARY 25, 2020

MELTON

A night, and a performance, I will never forget.

Self Assured went in as the red-hot favourite from barrier four, while Lochinvar Art drew beside him in three.

After working forward and holding his position, Arty pushed on to find the top and left the Kiwi star to sit outside him. And from that point they never came up for air.

It was clear that they were running along, with the joke on track being that they went so fast they blew up the semaphore board, which failed to show the times.

David Moran knew the horse to beat and made him work overtime. Arty was in beast mode and a brave Self Assured couldn’t bridge the gap.

When the times were confirmed and made public, many in the crowd looked at each other in amazement. For the first time the 1:50 mark was broken at Tabcorp Park Melton, with Lochinvar Art recording a mile rate of 1:48.6 while setting a new track record.

Lochinvar Art had arrived on the big stage.

1. DEL-RE NATIONAL A.G. HUNTER CUP

FEBRUARY 6, 2021

MELTON

It is hard to believe that anything could top the 4YO Bonanza performance, but given the lead-up, field assembled and prestige of the A.G. Hunter Cup, this win finds itself on top for mine.

After drawing the back row, David Moran was quickly off and around them, working his way to the front and forcing reigning Hunter Cup champion King of Swing to sit outside him.

Moran let Arty slide from the 800m mark and a 53.2 final half made it impossible for anything to get to him.

After a tumultuous week, Lochinvar Art’s strength, will to win and massive heart overcame all obstacles and stamped him as the best horse is Australasia.

“His name is Arty, it’s time to party with Arty!”

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.