Long shot wins Vic Cup

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Act Now’s rollercoaster night at Melton Entertainment Park will go down in harness racing folklore, with the star pacer emerging from dramatic pre-race scenes to be crowned the 2023 Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup champion.

Trainer Emma Stewart and Parwan driver Jodi Quinlan claimed their first Vic Cup success with a horse who looked in serious danger of being scratched from the $300,000 Grand Circuit classic.

Act Now got his leg caught over a rail in the stalls early in the meeting, but was eventually passed fit to run by stewards shortly before the start.

With his place in the field confirmed, the five-year-old $81 outsider still needed to produce something truly special to win the race. And he did.

Act Now settled towards the rear from his wide back row barrier, then came with a scintillating three-wide run to swamp his rivals in the shadows of the post.

In a grandstand finish, the son of Somebeachsomewhere scored from Miracle Mile champion Catch A Wave and Queensland freak Leap To Fame, with less than 2m between the first six horses across the line.

“Unbelievable” was how owner-breeder Bruce Edward described the drama in the moments after the triumph.

“Ten minutes before the race we didn’t even know whether he was going to run or not,” he said.

“He had an accident in the stall, but the vets checked him out and said he was fine.

“He looked a bit angry going out onto the track and that’s exactly the way we like him.”

Like Edward, Quinlan used the word “unbelievable” to describe Act Now’s performance.

“What happened before the race I didn’t think he’d be going around when I saw him,” she said.

“He just travelled really kind in the warm up and was just trucking in the run.”

Defending champion Rock N Roll Doo found the lead after an early burn, but faded late to finish fourth, just a half-neck from the winner.