Of course there will be winners and losers when the marbles drop tomorrow (Tuesday) morning for this Hunter Cup, but the beauty of the line-up in this race is the multitude of scenarios, shaped by the strength and versatility of the protagonists.
That’s why this feels like a vintage Hunter Cup, like one from the 80s, 90s or early 2000s.
In our biggest races in the open class in recent years there was so often a standout, or it was a kind of competitive race.
Think of how many times we’ve amped up the rivalry between half-brothers Leap To Fame and Swayzee.
It was a great story and they created some epic clashes, but this is different.
That’s not to say one of them won’t win, but there’s some serious depth to this Hunter Cup
Based on the last four months, especially late last year, Kingman is at least as good as the other two.
Many said he watched Leap To Fame end his nearly three-year dominance when he beat him in the Victoria and NZ Cups.
But the champions have flexed their muscles in recent weeks, turning an 0-3 record against Kingman into two wins from five matches.
But Kingman is a freakish talent and brings so much to this Hunter Cup.
He can do what few can do, which is go toe-to-toe with the likes of Leap To Fame and beat him.
Not only does he have a 3-2 record against Leap To Fame, but he is also 1-1 against Swayzee.
While Leap To Fame outpaced him at Cranbourne last Saturday week, we now know the scary and less than ideal hours Kingman endured before the race with that float incident on the Hume Highway.
No one knows exactly what impact that had on his run at Cranbourne, but it’s fair to say that his trainer-driver Luke McCarthy and owner-breeder Mick Harvey have been yearning for another crack at Leap To Fame ever since.
It comes Saturday evening.
“It’s great he didn’t have to race last Saturday (at Kilmore) and I know he’ll love Melton more than Ballarat and Cranbourne over the last two runs,” McCarthy said.
“Leap To Fame is a champion, one of the greatest we’ve ever seen, but we love racing him and can’t wait to do it again this week.”
Swayzee was only sixth behind Leap To Fame in the Cranbourne Cup, but don’t read too much into that.
The champion stayer was unable to get into a position to assert himself in the race due to a poor draw and really stood out when he destroyed the line in the final 50 meters and past the winning post.
Give Swayzee a draw and he can do what he did last year: beat Leap To Fame.
If you doubt me, just look at the Goulburn Cup win three starts ago.
Then there’s the Republican Party, the standout NZ pacer of the past twelve months.
Yes, the Aussies look better than the Kiwis at the moment, but don’t forget that with better luck, Republican Party Swayzee and Leap To Fame would have been close in last year’s Hunter Cup.
And there is no doubt that he is now a more seasoned, mentally stronger and better horse. He will look a lot fitter for last Saturday evening’s second place in the Kilmore Cup, his first race in five weeks.
So the barrier draw will be important, but it is not everything in a race that radiates talent, class and depth.
Whoever takes the lead will get serious attention from one or perhaps two of their main rivals.
At least two of the big guns will get the charge on whoever is leading and sitting outside the leader.
And that’s just the Hunter Cup.
The support program will also be fantastic.
Keayang Zahara is chasing the $500,000 bonus and her biggest win to date in the Great Southern Star.
The stunningly exciting young mare Captains Mistress clashes again with Eye Keep Smiling and Steno in the Group 1 Queen of the Pacific for mares.
Then there’s a golden ticket to the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire via the $50,000 4YO Bonanza and the entertaining dash-for-cash in the 1200m Mercury80, where eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave will attempt to win the prize for a second time.
It will be a night.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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