Makybe Diva, Northerly, Octagonal, Saintly, Better Loosen Up and Dulcify – who ran down Manikato in an epic race – were legendary modern-era winners.
Standouts, arguably, were Bonecrusher, Vo Rogue and Lonhro.
The most memorable aspect of Bonecrusher’s lunging win over At Talaq in 1987 was the great Bill Collins’ call. He was indeed the accurate one, labelling Bonecrusher, who dived late, the winner despite most punters fearing the champion had been nosed out.
No horse has stamped itself on the Australian Cup like Vo Rogue, who won back-to-back in 1989 and 1990 and was second in the Dandy Andy ‘boilover’ in 1988, and also to Better Loosen Up in 1991. His relentless front-running wins, staving off the likes of Better Loosen Up and Super Impose, established him as a legend.