Victoria Handicap

Winners and Past Results

The Victoria Handicap is a Group 3 race hosted by Melbourne Racing Club held on Easter Saturday every year. Free $250 Bet That Can't Lose

Horses travel a distance of 1400 metres of the Caulfield track under handicap conditions for a shot at prize money worth $125,000. The other Group 3 race held on the day is the Easter Cup. The sprint race often attracts better performing interstate gallopers rather than the classier types who tend to remain in Sydney for the bigger events. Picking a winner can be a daunting task at times since gallopers of varying ability usually make their way to the Victoria Handicap.

The Listed Moonee Valley Quality is one of the likely warm up events before the Victoria Handicap although there are a number of listed handicap events held around this time.

Ungar won the first Victoria Handicap as a principal race in 1949. Schaparo was recorded as the first winner as a Group 3 event in 1980. Debrief won in 2002 and came back strongly again the next year while Jet Fighter scored back to back victories earlier in 1987-88.

The event was elevated from its initial Principal race status to a prestigious Group 3 race in 1980.

2012 Victoria Handicap

All eyes were on Smokin’ Joey, who was in winning form coming into this race, and again he showed his class with a clear-cut win in this Group 3 event. The gelding was patiently ridden, being allowed to settle in the back half of the field and find his own rhythm. After a comfortable run, Smokin’ Joey moved forward approaching the home turn and along with Under The Eiffel, increased the tempo in the straight. The two battled  it out briefly before Smokin’ Joey pulled ahead of Under The Eiffel and made it look easy with a winning margin of nearly three lengths. Bagman was a length back in third.

2012 Victoria Handicap result

1. Smokin’ Joey
2. Under The Eiffel
3. Bagman

Then came:

4. Testa My Patience
5. Eight Shillings
6. Budriguez
7. Flat Chat
8. Red Colossus
9. Utah Saints
10. Agrippa
11. Shock Value
12. Quidnunc
13. Kutchinsky