The second edition of the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) will be run and won at Newcastle Racecourse this weekend in what is shaping up to be a fascinating battle between the sprinters.
Not surprisingly, a capacity field of 15 has accepted, with all eyes on race-favourite Trumbull following his narrow win last start at Randwick.
After winning the race last year with Savatiano, Godolphin again holds a strong hand in the race with Ranier, Asiago and Gaulois lining up.
There is also plenty of value to be found on back-to-back Group 3 winner Fiesta, alongside early market mover Cuba.
This is easily the most exciting race around the country on Saturday, so be sure to read our entire 2020 The Hunter Preview below!
Trumbull
Trumbull won the Group 3 Sydney Stakes first-up from a spell at Randwick last month where he held off Standout right on the line.
Barrier manners and jumping cleanly have always been a problem for the five-year-old, but when he chooses to behave himself he is easily one of the most exciting sprinters in the country.
Kim Waugh’s five-year-old has won and placed previously over this distance, while he’ll also appreciate a little sting out of the ground with rain forecast on Friday.
He trailed beautifully at Gosford last week in the leadup to this race and is worthy of his spot as the favourite.
Gaulois
Gaulois has struggled to find the same form that saw him win the Group 3 Eagle Farm Mile during the winter and would need to improve significantly to win a race of this quality.
The son of Street Cry finished four lengths sixth to Wild Planet second-up at Caulfield in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) last month and likely won’t find this any easier from the wide gate.
Ranier
Ranier won the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill back in May and looks more than capable of winning this race for Godolphin yet again.
The son on Lonhro found the money first-up in the Group 2 Theo Mark Stakes and wasn’t far off when fourth behind Cuba last start at Randwick.
She probably won’t want it too wet, but considering he does his best racing a few runs into his prep, he rates as one of the top chances.
Special Reward
Special Reward is worth forgiving on his latest run where he finished dead last in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick.
The five-year-old rattled off back-to-back Group 3 wins during the Autumn at Randwick and Newcastle and wasn’t far off adding to his record when third in the Show County Stakes first-up in August.
He tends to do his best work with a few runs under his belt and should be afforded a lovely run in transit from barrier 4.
Tactical Advantage
Tactical Advantage finished second to Savatiano in The Hunter last year but has struggled to find his best form since.
The Australian Bloodstock gelding was no match last start in the Group 2 Linlithgow when eight behind Kemalpasa, while his effort two runs back in the Sydney Stakes left a lot to be desired.
The old boy is a proven sprinter, but even with some weight off his back he appears tested.
Sweet Deal
Sweet Deal set the pace last start in the Group 3 Nivision at Randwick before fading late for fourth on the heavy track.
She’s drawn to go forward again on Saturday and could take some running down if she puts a gap between herself and the rest of the field nice and early.
The six-year-old has found the money on all four of her starts over this distance and has also found the placings in all three of her trips to Newcastle.
Chief Ironside
Chief Ironside is back to the 1300m after running out of steam in the late stages of the Group 1 Kennedy Cantala over the mile.
This is arguably an easier contest for Kris Lees’ galloper, but since he is unproven over the distance, he looks a place chance at best.
Fiesta
Fiesta is shooting for a hat-trick on Saturday after winning the Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield and the Group 3 Furphy Sprint at Flemington last month.
The mare by I Am Invincible ran fourth in The Hunter last year where she was simply run off her feet by all-the-way winner Savatiano.
She’s returned to the races a complete different horse this time in work and the wide gate should suit her late swooping style if Brenton Avdulla can get back and run on.
After being scratched late on Oaks Day last week, she’s rock hard fit and should take some serious beating.
Redouble
Redouble was extremely unlucky not to win the Kosciuszko (1200m) first-up from a spell after Tommy Berry burst clear along the inside to lose by a stride to It’s Me.
The way he hit the line suggests he should handle the extra 100m just fine on Saturday, especially considering he’s won over this trip twice in the past.
Unfortunately, the barrier gods haven’t been kind to the son of Redoute’s Choice with the Mitchell Beer stable drawing gate 15.
The seven-year-old struggled to overcome a similar wide draw in this race last year and remains an each-way chance at best.
Cuba
Cuba is expected to head straight to the front from the wide draw where he often does his best work.
The son of All Too Hard followed a similar pattern last start over the 1400m at Randwick where he led from pillar to post to score by 1.5 lengths.
He seemed to have plenty left in the tank crossing the line, and with 2.5kg off his back under apprentice Rachel King, it wouldn’t be surprising to watch him go all the way yet again.
Signore Fox
Signore Fox has had a trial in between runs after finding the placings for third in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last month behind Trumbull.
The Snowden-trained five-year-old is a two-time winner over this distance and is more than capable of winning a race like this if he performs at his best.
He doesn’t mind racing with a bit of sting out of the ground, and jockey Jeff Penza should have plenty of options available along the rails.
Brave Song
Brave Song was last seen at the races running last in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield back in September.
He’s since had a couple of trials leading into The Hunter after finishing eighth in this race last year from an almost identical draw.
The son of Your Song has found the money only once in his last ten starts and, as his market price suggests, can’t be recommended.
El Dorado Dreaming
El Dorado Dreaming is having her first run back from a spell and appears challenged based on her form last time in.
The former Group 1 Sires’ Produce winner found the money only once last Spring and failed to produce her best when ninth last March in the Coolmore.
She has placed twice previously first-up but looks unlikely.
Evalina
Evalina is worth forgiving on her latest run when seventh in the Group 3 Nivision at Randwick last month.
Hardly anyone was making up ground that day on the heavy track, but her runs prior suggest she could be the one to watch at odds this weekend.
The mare by I Am Invincible hit the line well for fourth second-up in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes and wasn’t disgraced when fifth in her next outing in the Golden Pendant.
It’s been over a year since she’s won, but with only 52kg on her back, she’s worth a look each way.
Asiago
Asiago won the Listed Mona Lisa (1350m) by a length first-up at Wyong but has struggled to go on with it rising through the grades.
In saying that, her last start fifth in the Group 1 Empire Rose was an encouraging turnaround – the same form line that led Savatiano to a win in this race last year.
The wide gate makes things a little tricky for apprentice Kathy O’Hara, but with two wins from three starts to her name at Newcastle, she might just be over the odds.
Sambro
Sambro hasn’t been seen at the races since finishing runner-up to Mugatoo in the Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill.
The Waller-trained six-year-old has placed twice previously first-up, but would need luck to go his way as the first emergency.
Glenall
Glenall was one of the footnotes three runs back in the Epsom and has since struggled in back-to-back runs at Doomben over the mile.
There’s no doubt he’s a star over the 1100m. but looks tested here if he earns a spot in the field as the second emergency.
Inanup
Inanup found the line for fourth last start on the heavy track at Randwick first-up and is a proven second-up performer with three wins on the board.
He remains the third emergency.
Royal Celebration
Royal Celebration found the money first-up at Randwick over a touch further, but would need plenty to go his way as the fourth emergency.
The Hunter Tip
3 Ranier at $6.00
