It was not surprising there was good money bet on Hexus after this NSW pacer drew the pole.  Owned by Michael Achurch, dubbed Australia’s luckiest racehorse owner because of his association with Savabeel, Hexus had finished second in the previous Victoria Cup to Double Identity.  It races best as a sit-and-sprint pacer. (Double Identity was an outsider having drawn barrier 11 this time.) 

In the minutes leading up to the big race, stable supporters of Queensland’s Cobbity Classic showed their loyalty to the son of Panorama USA by backing the horse in from 33/1 to around 20/1. After the scratching of the emergency (Seelster Score), Cobbity Classic would start out of gate three, but was not expected to prevent the favourite from crossing and taking up the lead. 

From a betting point of view, there were only four horses with winning hopes.  These were the only ones inside 15/1 – Sokyola NZ, Just An Excuse NZ, Young Rufus NZ and Hexus.  

In most Grand Circuit events with so much at stake, there is usually a few hard-luck stories of interference or trouble in securing a run at a vital stage of the race.  But there would be none of that this time, other than the outsider Sand Pebbles being slowly away from the gate and always back at the rear. 

As expected, Sokyola NZ had little trouble crossing to take up the lead. Hexus went quickly enough from the start to make sure it retained the position on the back of the leader.  Mark Purdon, knowing he had little option other than rushing forward to lead the outside row was confident that before long Todd Mitchell would encircle the field with Just An Excuse NZ that would give Young Rufus NZ the one-one position. 

And that was exactly how things turned out.  But instead of firstly Young Rufus NZ and then Just An Excuse NZ going up to eye-ball the favorite, neither reinsman was prepared to ensure Justice maintained a solid speed up front, hence one of the slowest run Victoria Cups in recent years. 

On turning for home the last time, Just An Excuse NZ brought the crowd to life when it drew level with the leader. But Justice switched into top gear, and Sokyola NZ moved away by a clear length. It was only in the final metres that Just An Excuse NZ began pegging the favourite back, with Hexus finishing well along the sprint lane to snatch second place.  

Young Rufus NZ failed to go on in the home straight, finishing seventh, and beating home only Double Identity, Cobbity Classic, Blue Gum Forest and Sand Pebbles. The mile rate for Sokyola NZ was only 2.02.50.  The failure of rival drivers to test the leader during the race was probably due to the great respect that rivals have for Sokyola NZ. 

At the presentation, Lance Justice told the public he may not fully appreciate just how good a pacer Sokyola has been until the time comes when the gelding is retired. The horse certainly has been a tough campaigner, becoming only the second pacer in the past 15 years to be rated No 1 in Australia that has not broken down with a leg injury. The horse did have a throat operation two years ago and then finished just ninth in this race last year. However, it has gone from strength to strength since. 

Earlier in the night Gold N Gold NZ, after causing a false start at the first attempt to start the $100,000 Australian Trotting Grand Prix, went to the lead early after take two had sent the field on its way. It narrowly held off a most unlucky and gallant  Lyell Creek NZ after the latter had raced three wide for more than a mile at its farewell appearance at Moonee Valley. 

This was the only time the now 11YO gelding had been beaten on Australian soil in 11 starts in a long and successful career racing in numerous countries.  Ten of his Aussie starts were around Moonee Valley.