All is one the line as the best battle for the Australian heavyweight championship - the Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup - at Tabcorp Park Melton at 9.15pm tonight.
Get prepped with this runner-by-runner breakdown, complete with form analyst Jason Bonnington's last word on the combatants.
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1 TRIPLE EIGHT
RECORD: 57: 12-9-14
STAKES WON: $299,051
AUS GROUP 1s: 1: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 2: 0-0-0
AUS 2500 METRES+: 1: 0-0-0
GATE WIN %: 11.25
TRAINER: Jess Tubbs
DRIVER: Greg Sugars (Aus G1 413: 42-44-47)
This Kiwi invader has shown exceptional potential but has mixed his form back home of late when tackling the elite. His huge advantage is a draw that will pave the path for shortcuts throughout.
2 ALTA ORLANDO
RECORD: 85: 18-17-14
STAKES WON: $669,927
AUS GROUP 1s: 6: 1-1-1
AT TRACK: 2: 0-0-0
AUS 2500 METRES+: 3: 1-1-0
GATE WIN %: 10.63
TRAINER: Belinda McCarthy
DRIVER: Chris Alford (Aus G1 706: 115-93-78)
This old warrior isn’t racing in the form he was 12 months back but he’ll still play a major tactical role. Look for him to lead and only relinquish that advantage to Lochinvar Art or King Of Swing.
4 FOURBIGMEN
RECORD: 49: 15-4-12
STAKES WON: $233,750
AUS GROUP 1s: 8: 0-1-1
AT TRACK: 26: 6-2-7
AUS 2500 METRES+: 3: 1-1-0
GATE WIN %: 10.47
TRAINER: Emma Stewart
DRIVER: James Herbertson (Aus G1 29: 1-5-1)
Few horses have improved as dramatically in recent months than this big bull. Watch for him to roll forward early and if he settles close enough a podium finish at Grand Circuit level looms very large.
5 BETTOR BE THE BOMB
RECORD: 94: 16-14-12
STAKES WON: $194,410
AUS GROUP 1s: 1: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 42: 8-5-3
AUS 2500 METRES+: 3: 0-0-0
GATE WIN %: 10.95
TRAINER: Basil Dooley
DRIVER: Jack Laugher (Aus G1 3: 0-0-0)
The other huge recent improver, this guy finally got an inch of luck in last week’s Casey Classic and duly saluted as a result. The draw is tricky but he’s a multiple must in his current vein of form.
6 OUR UNCLE SAM
RECORD: 98: 22-16-7
STAKES WON: $654,676
AUS GROUP 1s: 14: 2-4-0
AT TRACK: 9: 1-3-0
AUS 2500 METRES+: 19: 2-6-2
GATE WIN %: 15.56
TRAINER: Chris Frisby
DRIVER: Anthony Frisby (Aus G1 31: 2-5-2)
He’s finished second in this great race twice before but all indications are that Chris Frisby’s veteran star is missing his mojo at the moment. Without a wild form turnaround he’s a minor player only.
7 SOMEWHERE SECRET
RECORD: 36: 14-1-6
STAKES WON: $133,047
AUS GROUP 1s: 2: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 20: 5-1-3
AUS 2500 METRES+: 4: 0-0-1
GATE WIN %: 12.88
TRAINER: Emma Stewart
DRIVER: Jason Lee (Aus G1 100: 14-10-11)
Emma Stewart would be thrilled with the way he’s racing but this one-time claimer is out of his depth from gate seven. Look for him to back off early and seek soft runs in the hope of a top-six finish.
8 OUT TO PLAY
RECORD: 28: 12-6-4
STAKES WON: $253,427
AUS GROUP 1s: 5: 1-2-0
AT TRACK: 13: 6-2-2
AUS 2500 METRES+: 1: 0-1-0
GATE WIN %: 12.23
TRAINER: Clayton Tonkin
DRIVER: Kate Gath (Aus G1 224: 34-31-33)
From a better gate this Group 1 winner would be fourth pick, but he’s in all sorts from the awkward alley. That’s unless he gets off the pegs and finds the cart he needs to show his super speed.
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9 LOCHINVAR ART
RECORD: 49: 27-14-5
STAKES WON: $1,083,456
AUS GROUP 1s: 14: 6-4-2
AT TRACK: 13: 9-1-1
AUS 2500 METRES+: 6: 3-1-0
GATE WIN %: 11.24
TRAINER: David Moran
DRIVER: David Moran (Aus G1 55: 9-9-2)
His mantelpiece of Grand Circuit trophies, or lack thereof, is the only element standing between this bloke and champion status. With no disrespect to his rivals he is different gravy. And he will win.
10 STAR GALLERIA
RECORD: 56: 15-10-5
STAKES WON: $416,407
AUS GROUP 1s: 1: 0-0-0
AT TRACK: 2: 1-0-0
AUS 2500 METRES+: 1: 0-0-0
GATE WIN %: 10.63
TRAINER: Belinda McCarthy
DRIVER: John Caldow (Aus G1 366: 23-31-29)
On his best day this former Kiwi star would be well in line for a podium finish but it’s tough to assess exactly where he’s at. Should there be a market move include him in exotics as insurance at least.
11 WOLF STRIDE
RECORD: 25: 12-2-7
STAKES WON: $212,820
AUS GROUP 1s: 2: 1-0-1
AT TRACK: 7: 3-1-3
AUS 2500 METRES+: 2: 1-0-1
GATE WIN %: 6.06
TRAINER: Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith
DRIVER: Anthony Butt (Aus G1 343: 62-46-43)
Anthony Butt has been talking like this guy can yield him his eighth Hunter Cup triumph for weeks and, if not for ‘Arty’, it’s tough to doubt his words. If there’s a blowout he’s best placed to provide it.
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12 KING OF SWING
RECORD: 64: 31-10-4
STAKES WON: $1,644,296
AUS GROUP 1s: 8: 6-1-0
AT TRACK: 3: 2-1-0
AUS 2500 METRES+: 8: 4-1-1
GATE WIN %: 5.83
TRAINER: Belinda McCarthy
DRIVER: Luke McCarthy (Aus G1 382: 63-42-45)
This reigning Hunter Cup champ is almost unbeatable in front, but barring a miracle, he won’t be there tonight. He warrants great respect, but these are unchartered waters so nothing’s guaranteed.
13 MALCOLMS RHYTHM
RECORD: 38: 9-11-6
STAKES WON: $196,020
AUS GROUP 1s: 5: 0-1-1
AT TRACK: 18: 3-3-3
AUS 2500 METRES+: 2: 0-2-0
GATE WIN %: 6.52
TRAINER: David Aiken
DRIVER: Josh Aiken (Aus G1 84: 10-3-2)
At this stage, ‘Jerry’, as he’s known at home, is just that half step off the very best. If they go berserk, he’s a very small place chance but watch for him to play a much more significant role in 12 months.
READ MORE AHEAD OF THE HUNTER CUP:
>> Moran ready to step into unknown with brilliant Arty
>> Group 1 game plans, tips and punting chat