The field for the 2026 Sportsbet A. G. Hunter Cup has been released, with an outstanding line-up assembled for Saturday night’s $250,000 Group 1 classic at Melton Entertainment Park.
All eyes will be on 2024 champion Leap To Fame, who looms as the standout as he chases the lucrative $1 million bonus after his Kilmore Pacing Cup victory last weekend. The Queensland superstar will again be tested by last year’s winner Swayzee, with the older half-brother set to renew their rivalry on the sport’s biggest stage.
Adding further depth is emerging star Kingman, who continues to measure up at the elite level, while New Zealand interest adds another layer of intrigue with the Cran Dalgety-trained Republican Party.
The Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star is the other headline act on the blockbuster Melton program and has attracted a quality group of acceptors.
This unique race pits horses in two heats early in the meeting before qualifiers from each back up and race in a Group 1 final later in the night.
Champion trotter Keayang Zahara remains on track in her pursuit of the $500,000 bonus, while defending winner Watts Up Partytime returns looking to go back-to-back.
Barrier draws for the Sportsbet A. G. Hunter Cup and field reveals for the heats of the Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star will take place on Sky Racing 1 from 10am on Tuesday morning.
Sportsbet A. G. Hunter Cup (Group 1) Field
Bulletproof Boy (Scott Ewen), Helluva (Seaton Grima), Jilliby Nitro (Marg and Paddy Lee), Kingman (Luke McCarthy), Leap To Fame (Grant Dixon), Max Delight (David Aiken), Miki To Success (Emma Stewart), Oliver Dan (Emma Stewart), Republican Party (Cran Dalgety), Swayzee (Jason Grimson), Triple Eight (Jess Tubbs), War Dan Buddy (Emma Stewart).
Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star (Group 1) Acceptors
Aldebaran Acrux (Chris Svanosio), Alrighty (Andy Gath), Arcee Phoenix (Chris Svanosio), Ebonys Avenger (Brad Angove), El Resamo (David Barbetti), Gotfeelingsyouknow (Chris Svanosio), Im Bobby (Eddie Tappe), Imperial Monarch (Marg and Paddy Lee), Jilliby Ballerini (Marg and Paddy Lee), Jilliby Dreamlover (Marg and Paddy Lee), Keayang Zahara (Marg and Paddy Lee), Lovemeto (Chris Svanosio), Mcgee (Philip Chircop), Mitchell Wrap (Jennifer Douglas), Ollivici (Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar), Remus Phoenix (Chris Svanosio), Rockinwithattitude (David Miles), Tweedledee (Steve Alexandrou), Watts Up Partytime (Rickie Alchin).
