Harness Racing Victoria’s chief form analyst Jason Bonnington has cast his eye over the 2021 Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup field following the all-important barrier draw.
David Moran-trained superstar Lochinvar Art opened a $1.30 favourite with the TAB for the race after coming up with barrier nine and Bonnington is well and truly in his corner.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TAB HUNTER CUP MARKET
1: Triple Eight
BON SAYS: “The form in New Zealand isn’t great, but that’s a perfect draw. He’s a very talented horse so gate one is not without a place chance.”
2: Alta Orlando
BON SAYS: “He’s your leader, isn’t he? That’s going to improve his chances. He seems very short in the market for mine, but that’s huge for him because he’s got more gate speed than any runner off the front line.”
3: Sirletic (emerg)
BON SAYS: “If he gets a run, he’ll drift back at the start and he’ll get out of his ground and flash home. If you are playing first 4s, he goes in the mix somewhere but he’s no winning chance.”
4: Fourbigmen
BON SAYS: “He’s just flying. Certain people I know in the media are a big fan of Fourbigmen, so if he slots in here and a few have to do a stack of work because all the supposed big guns are drawn off the second row, is he a blow-out hope? Maybe. He’s certainly a place hope.”
5: Bettor Be The Bomb
BON SAYS: “Couldn’t be going any better. His run on Saturday night in the Casey Classic proves how good he can be and I know Basil Dooley believes he’ll improve off that again. The draw is sticky though.”
6: Our Uncle Sam
BON SAYS: “He’s just not where you want him at the moment. He’s a great horse at his best, but he’s done most of his elite racing from gun positions in transit. He won’t get that from gate six.”
7: Somewhere Secret
BON SAYS: “Do you risk having a little lash at the start? Maybe they do because there is no hope otherwise. He’s going really well, but it’s a tough ask in a Hunter Cup from gate seven.”
—
8: Out To Play
BON SAYS: “Flying. It depends what happens with Triple Eight. He got eviscerated by Lochinvar Art leading in the Ballarat Cup, but he’s a very good horse and he might be better chasing speed.”
9: Lochinvar Art
BON SAYS: “He’s the best horse in the race. It is racing and they are animals so nothing is certain, but this is as close to certain as you could imagine. I know people will say it’s better if he drew the front row, but he’s not a blazing gate speed horse. I think he’s drawn perfectly behind a fast beginner off the front row. He’s entitled to be $1.30 and he is.”
10: Star Galleria
BON SAYS: “Going really nicely but he’s a gate speed horse. The best of Star Galleria over the years has been very, very, very good. Whether he’s been absolutely elite… he’s probably just below that and the second line draw is not going to help. But the good news is that he’s drawn out with some big guns wide on the second line.”
11: Wolf Stride
BON SAYS: “I think he is a big winner from the draw. Lochinvar Art and King of Swing are out off the second row as well so Anthony Butt, who has been so successful in this race, if he makes all the right moves, he’s not entirely out of it. The sectionals from last start are outrageous and the horse could not be going better.”
12: King Of Swing
BON SAYS: “I really just think he’s a dead-set leader. He’s done all of his best racing in front. If he can get on his bike, maybe Lochinvar Art is parked, and he can get a cart into the race or they go a berserk lead time and Lochinvar Art is softened up, King Of Swing can still win I guess. But his greatest strength has been ripped from him with that second line draw.”
13: Malcolms Rhythm
BON SAYS: “Again a horse going particularly well. I know David Aiken has got a huge opinion of Malcolms Rhythm and he was wonderful when running second in the Casey Classic on Saturday night, but he’s sort of moving towards where he wants to get. I think in 6-12 months, we might be talking about Malcolms Rhythm as a potential Hunter Cup/Miracle Mile horse, but probably just not quite yet.”
