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.
Year | Winner | Driver | Trainer | Mile rate | 2nd | 3rd |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Swayzee [1] [2] | Cameron Hart | Jason Grimson | 1:51.8 (2240m) | Curly James | Mach Dan |
2023 | Act Now [3] | Jodi Quinlan | Emma Stewart | 1:52.7 (2240m) | Catch A Wave | Leap To Fame |
2022 | Rock N Roll Doo (NZ) [4] [5] | M Stanley | M Stanley | 1:54.0 (2240m) | Honolua Bay | Better Eclipse |
2021 | Max Delight [6] | Chris Alford | David Aiken | 1:53.2 (2150m) | Triple Eight | King Of Swing |
2020 | Lochinvar Art [7] | David Moran | David Moran | 1:51.4 (2240m) | King Of Swing | Bling It On |
2019 | Bling It On [8] | Craig Cross | Luke McCarthy | 1:51.5 (2240m) | Colt Thirty One | Cruz Bromac |
2018 | Tiger Tara | Todd McCarthy | Kevin Pizzuto | 1:53.4 (2240m) | Chicago Bull | Carlas Pixel |
2017(Oct) | Lennytheshark | Chris Alford | David Aiken | 1:53.2 (2240m) | Ameretto | Tiger Tara |
2017 (Jan) | Lazarus | Mark Purdon | Mark Purdon | 1:52.5 (2240m) | Major Crocker | Bling It On |
2016 | Lennytheshark | Chris Alford | David Aiken | 1:55.0 (2240m) | Smolda | Mossdale Conner |
2015 | Christen Me | Dexter Dunn | Cran Dalgety | 1:55.0 (2240m) | Lennytheshark | Adore Me |
2013 | For A Reason [9] | Luke McCarthy | 1:53.8 (2240m) | Caribbean Blaster | Christen Me | |