Victoria Cup (harness race)


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 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

YearWinnerDriverTrainerMile rate2nd3rd
2025KingmanLuke McCarthyLuke McCarthy1:52.2 Hi ManameisjeffLeap To Fame
2024SwayzeeCameron HartJason Grimson1:51.8 Curly JamesMach Dan
2023Act NowJodi QuinlanEmma Stewart1:52.7 Catch A WaveLeap To Fame
2022Rock N Roll Doo M StanleyM Stanley1:54.0 Honolua BayBetter Eclipse
2021Max DelightChris AlfordDavid Aiken1:53.2 Triple EightKing Of Swing
2020Lochinvar ArtDavid MoranDavid Moran1:51.4 King Of SwingBling It On
2019Bling It OnCraig CrossLuke McCarthy1:51.5 Colt Thirty OneCruz Bromac
2018Tiger TaraTodd McCarthyKevin Pizzuto1:53.4 Chicago BullCarlas Pixel
2017LennythesharkChris AlfordDavid Aiken1:53.2 AmerettoTiger Tara
2017 LazarusMark PurdonMark Purdon1:52.5 Major CrockerBling It On
2016LennythesharkChris AlfordDavid Aiken1:55.0 SmoldaMossdale Conner
2015Christen MeDexter DunnCran Dalgety1:55.0 LennythesharkAdore Me
2013For A ReasonLuke McCarthy1:53.8 Caribbean BlasterChristen Me

Previous winners