History and Honour Roll
History
First run in 1974, the Victoria Cup has since developed into Australasia’s premier middle distance harness race and has comprised part of the Grand Circuit since 1987.
Conducted over a journey of 2575 metres, the Cup carries Group 1 status and prizemoney of $425,000 – but perhaps more importantly – the chance to join a long and lustrous honour roll with some of the finest names the sport has ever seen.
The Victoria Cup was run at the Melbourne Showgrounds until 1975 when it was moved down the road to Moonee Valley where it stayed until the 2009 installment was staged at Victoria’s home of harness racing, Tabcorp Park.
The race record (over the current distance) is currently held by Melpark Major following a blistering mile rate of 1:55.8 in 2008, but previous record holders over former distances include Chokin (1994, 1:56.7 over 2380m) and Double Identity (2003, 1:57.2 over 2575m).
Victoria Cup Honour Roll
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
