Victoria Cup, A rich identity steeped in superstars and surprises

Harness Racing Victoria’s second richest open class pacing feature the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup, referred to by many as the Cox Plate of harness racing, has thrown a variety of results over the years, some roughies and some short-priced favourites.

Such was the case at Moonee Valley in December 2003 when veteran NSW trainer/driver Harry Martin’s Embrace Me-Mercy Lyn gelding Double Identity scored at $15, returning a mile rate of 1:57.2.

It was a vintage field that contested the 2570-metre race for a stake of $250,000 made up of Mont Denver Gold (Chris Alford), Selby Bromac (Blake Fitzpatrick), Mister DG (Anthony Butt), Jack Cade (Mark Purdon), Flashing Red (Chris Petroff), Hexus (Danny Gallagher), Wally Walton (Matthew Gath), Jofess (Darren Hancock), Smooth Satin (Gavin Lang), Franco Heir (John Caldow), Sokyola (Lance Justice) and Double Identity.

The speed was a sizzler as the mobile gate pulled away, with Selby Bromac challenging polemarker Mister DG for the front running but unable to cross. Sokyola, after beginning brilliantly from the second row, moved to face the breeze. The favourite Jack Cade, after also being trapped wide, eventually joined the leader after spending plenty of petrol to do so.

Sydneysider Jofess, from six back, was sent forward to occupy the position outside the leader approaching the bell giving Jack Cade some respite, however, the damage had been done and he was a spent force shortly, taking Sokyola back through the field with him.

Flashing Red (one/four) was to go forward, hitting the back straight on the last occasion being trailed by Smooth Satin, with Double Identity, who had done no work at all, following the pair as Jofess momentarily hit the front on turning and being challenged immediately by Flashing Red.

Angling four-wide approaching the home turn and five-wide on the bend, Double Identity – after quarters of 30.5, 30.9, 28.3 and a final 28.8 – unleashed a brilliant turn of speed on straightening to race away and score by 4.8 metres from Hexus (four pegs), who flashed late after weaving in-between runners.

Flashing Red, after taking over on turning, was giant in finishing third, a neck back, in an all-interstate trifecta. Wally Walton was fourth for the home state after a cosy three peg passage and angling very wide in the straight.

It will all happen again at Melton this Saturday when one of the best fields in recent times contests the race.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Len Baker for Harness Racing Victoria