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.
Winners
Year Winner Driver Trainer Mile rate 2nd 3rd2025Kingman Luke McCarthyLuke McCarthy1:52.2 (2240m) Hi Manameisjeff Leap To Fame2024 SwayzeeCameron HartJason Grimson 1:51.8 (2240m) Curly James Mach Dan 2023 Act NowJodi Quinlan Emma Stewart1:52.7 (2240m) Catch A Wave Leap To Fame 2022 Rock N Roll Doo (NZ) M StanleyM Stanley 1:54.0 (2240m) Honolua Bay Better Eclipse 2021 Max Delight Chris AlfordDavid Aiken1:53.2 (2150m) Triple Eight King Of Swing 2020 Lochinvar ArtDavid MoranDavid Moran 1:51.4 (2240m) King Of Swing Bling It On2019 Bling It On Craig Cross Luke McCarthy 1:51.5 (2240m) Colt Thirty One Cruz Bromac2018 Tiger Tara Todd McCarthy Kevin Pizzuto 1:53.4 (2240m) Chicago Bull Carlas Pixel2017(Oct) Lennytheshark Chris Alford David Aiken 1:53.2 (2240m) Ameretto Tiger Tara2017 (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) SmoldaMossdale Conner2015 Christen Me Dexter Dunn Cran Dalgety 1:55.0 (2240m) Lennytheshark Adore Me2013For A Reason Luke McCarthy 1:53.8 (2240m) Caribbean Blaster Christen Me
Previous winners 1974 - King's Mead (Standing Start) 1975 - King Frost (Standing Start) 1976 - Don't Retreat 1977 - Paleface Adios 1978 - Koala King 1979 - Koala King 1980 - Koala King 1981 - Frosty Imp 1982 - Popular Alm 1983 - Popular Alm 1984 - Preux Chevalier 1985 - Not Held 1987 (Feb) - Bag Limit 1988 - Bag Limit 1989 - Sinbad Bay 1990 - Sovereign Cloud 1991 - Sinbad Bay 1992 - Franco Ice (NZ) 1993 - Master Musician (NZ) 1994 - Chokin (NZ) 1995 - Golden Reign 1996 - Desperate Comment (NZ) 1997 - Desperate Comment (NZ) 1998 - Brabham (NZ) 1999 - Holmes D G (NZ) 2000 - Breeny's Fella 2001 - Shakamaker 2002 - Jofess 2003 (Feb) - Young Rufus (NZ) 2003 (Dec) - Double Identity 2004 - Sokyola (NZ) 2005 - Be Good Johnny 2006 - Blacks A Fake 2007 - Robin Hood 2008 - Melpark Major 2009 - Bettor's Strike (NZ) 2010 - Mr Feelgood 2011 - Smoken Up (NZ) 2012 - Caribbean Blaster
See also
Hunter Cup Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Miracle Mile Pace New Zealand Trotting Cup Queensland Pacing Championship The Race by Sport Nation mobile pace Victoria Derby (harness) Harness racing in Australia Harness racing in New Zealand
References
External links Official SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival Website