Amazing field assembled for Hunter Cup

AN AMAZING field has been assembled for Saturday night’s A G Hunter Cup.

Harness Racing Victoria handicappers mulled over the nominations across the weekend and into this morning before declaring the line-up of 12 which will tackle the Grand Circuit classic on Saturday night at Melton Entertainment Park.

In all, 27 nominations for the race were received before megastar pacer Catch A Wave and Rocknroll Hammer were withdrawn by connections.

The big news is Swayzee is there to continue his rivalry with half-brother and last year’s champion Leap To Fame as trainer Jason Grimson looks to add another of the sport’s majors to his bulging trophy cabinet.

Reigning Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo is locked in for New South Wales trainer-driver Luke McCarthy, while New Zealand is represented by raiders Dont Stop Dreaming, Tact Mcleod  and Republican Party.

Scott Ewen’s 'country cups King' Bulletproof Boy will take his place alongside last year’s Hunter Cup third placegetter Max Delight and recent Shepparton Gold Cup winner Kanena Provlima.

Captains Knock, Cantfindabettorman and Mach Dan rounding out the final field. Andy Gath’s Ballarat Pacing Cup runner-up Hector is the emergency.

The Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star is the other major feature on the blockbuster card, which will be broadcast on Racing.com’s free-to-air channels 68 and 78.

This unique race pits trotters in two heats early in the meeting before qualifiers back up in the Group One Final later in the night.

The barrier draw for the Hunter Cup and field reveals for heats of the Great Southern Star will take place on Sky Racing from 9am tomorrow.

• HRV Media