Former Canberra Raiders captain Jarrod Croker has experienced many highs in some of the NRL’s biggest moments, and his journey alongside great mate and trainer-driver Brad Hewitt with talented pacer Captains Knock has been another rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Croker, who played 307 games for the Raiders between 2009 and his retirement in 2023, is a part-owner of the horse who races in tonight’s Sportsbet A.G. Hunter Cup at Melton Entertainment Park.

The now five-year-old featured on last year’s Hunter Cup card in the 4YO Bonanza and has had quite the 12 months since.

“It is pretty special when you think about it (to have a Hunter Cup runner),” Croker said.

“It is a horse we bought at the sales a couple of years ago. We have a good syndicate with my dad, father-in-law, one of our other good mates Josh and his father-in-law, and a couple of other close mates.

“When you mention he has been in an Inter Dominion, a Eureka and the race he is in on Saturday night… you don’t get those horses very often. It is very exciting.”

Croker tasted top-level success as an owner when Captains Knock won Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge finals in both 2022 and 2023.

“When we race at Menangle, we get the mini-bus down there and all the owners and the families get along,” he said.

“Having a good horse is very exciting, and having it with a close group of mates, family and friends makes it that much more special.”

Captains Knock is one of the outsiders for tonight’s 2760m feature at Melton, where he will take on defending champion and Queensland hero Leap To Fame, his older half-brother Swayzee and a trio of New Zealand raiders including Republican Party, Tact Mcleod and Dont Stop Dreaming.

The Great Southern Star is the other major feature tonight, with the unique concept seeing trotters race in heats early in the night ahead of a final as race eight in a true test of speed, strength and horsemanship.

Catch Ryan Phelan, Bronte Nieuwenburg, Michael Guerin, Tim O’Connor and race caller Dan Mielicki from 5.55pm on the Racing.com channels of 68 and 78 as well as 7Plus for an immersive broadcast that takes you inside harness racing like never before.

PICTURE: HARNESS RACING NEW SOUTH WALES