IT WAS a fitting farewell to the home of Victorian Harness Racing for the past 33 years - Moonee Valley last Saturday, when three Group one races were held, featuring the $400,000 BIG6 A.G. Hunter Cup, $250,000 SEW-Eurodrive Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final and the $200,000 Alabar Victoria Pacers Derby. The races were in front of a terrific crowd reminiscent of the early days at the venue.

The A.G. Hunter Cup was the race everybody came to see and they were not disappointed, with the Kiwi Bondy claiming the major prize.

THE Victoria Derby on paper appeared to be the highlight of the evening and patrons were treated to a fantastic race of speed and stamina, with victory going to New Zealander Courage To Rule, a gelding by multiple-Derby winner Courage Under Fire from Rule The Roost, trained outside Auckland by nomadic John Green and driven by Sydney freelance Greg Bennett.

Globe trotting Sundon/Landoras Gift gelding Sundons Gift made a one-act affair of the I-D Trotting Final over 2575 metres for Nagambie trainer/driver Chris Lang.

There were faces at the meeting, which hadn’t been seen on a harness tracks for years and HRV officials were beaming with delight at the end of the night’s racing.

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MELTON’S Lance Justice has 4-Y-0 Mach Three/Shapia gelding Mach Twain racing in peak form at present and landed the Trackview Marquee Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2100 metres at Geelong on Wednesday with him.

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MELTON trainer Merv Williamson combined with Parwan’s Jodi Quinlan to capture the Terang CRT Store 3-Y-0 Pace over 1680 metres at Dalvui Raceway Terang on Wednesday, with Mach Three/Girl Interupted gelding Unsinkable Boxer.

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MELTON’S Joe Borg combined with Greg Sugars to capture the 2nd Heat of the VHRSC Provincial Cup for C1 class over 2240 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton on Thursday with 6-Y-0 Pacific Fella/Gavil Debutante mare Becky Cee in 2-00.5.

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MEETINGS for the week are: Wednesday - Donald@Charlton/Cranbourne; Thursday - Geelong/Ouyen@Mildura; Friday - Yarra Valley/Melton; Saturday - Terang (Cup); Sunday - Wangaratta@Shepparton; Monday - Maryborough, Tuesday - Ararat.

Horses to follow - Jadahson, Thewaytolive, Make It Brief, Blyton Bromac, Captain Courage and Third Tee.