Winning Team; Gary Hall and his star pacer Im Themightyquinn are chasing Hunter Cup glory
The true staying test of Australian harness racing is clearly the focal point this weekend.
The Barastoc Grand Circuit action continues with the running of the Gr.1 $425,000 BIG6 Hunter Cup at TABCORP Park, Melton on Saturday night.
Victory is met with true determination.
And it's a set to be an epic Trans-Tasman clash.
A capacity field of 15 has been drawn and some of the biggest names in the southern hemisphere are stepping out and putting their reputations on the line for a shot at glory.
The honour roll has all the great names listed and each and every winner have deserved their rightful place in the history books to be crowned Hunter Cup champions.
Giant Kiwi gelding Bondy led throughout last year after a masterful front-running drive from Davey Butt whilst Former North American Mr Feelgood stormed to victory two years ago which internationalised the event.
Record breaking pacer Blacks A Fake defied history when he produced one of the greatest performances of all time to claim the prize back in 2008 whilst Elsu produced something very similar only two years earlier and who can forget the deeds of the mighty New Zealand mare Blossom Lady who made this race her own back in the mid-nineties after scoring successive victories.
The 2011 version ushers in a new era of the Hunter Cup.
For the first time, the Hunter Cup will be staged at TABCORP Park, Melton, the new home of harness racing in Victoria.
And boom West Australian pacer Im Themightyquinn is the horse they have to beat.
The sand gropers have a proud history in the Hunter Cup with names like Pure Steel, Preux Chevalier, Village Kid and in more recent times Try A Fluke and Another Party taking the spoils back across the Nullarbor.
Im Themightyquinn is no stranger to Victorian harness fans, the Gary Hall trained pacer was most unlucky last year behind Bondy when flashing late to finish third.
The $1.3 million earner heads east again with brilliant form after scoring scintillating victories in the Fremantle and West Australian Cups at his past two starts.
As a result of his recent brilliant form, Im Themightyquinn is the only handicapped runner in the field and will start from 10m behind with Nathan Jack taking the drive for the first time.
The Kiwi's have a strong quartet assembled to tackle the Aussie's and last start Ballarat Cup winner Stunin Cullen boasts brilliant form for Tim and Anthony Butt who are no strangers to success in this race.
Power Of Tara and The Sleepy Tripp are also lethal pacers in their own right and clearly have the form to take the Cup for their respective connections.
Star trainer Brendon Hill prepares Power Of Tara whilst leading horseman Mark Purdon puts the polish on The Sleepy Tripp.
The baby of the New Zealand attack is Smiling Shard, the 4yo is a proven big race performer and also boasts success on the Melton track after taking out the Australasian Breeders Crown as a juvenile for trainer Cran Dalgety and record breaking reinsman Dexter Dunn.
Emerging star Our Chain Of Command faces his moment of truth when he lines up for Dean Braun and Hunter Cup winning driver Chris Alford.
The New Zealand bred gelding has been a revelation since crossing the Tasman and has put together seven straight victories including success in the Tasmania Cup and Pure Steel at his most recent outings to the track.
Evergreen New South Wales pacer Karloo Mick returns to Victoria for another shot at Hunter Cup glory for his popular connections of Barry and Ronda Lew.
The 10yo was a runner-up last year behind Bondy and is a last start winner at Bathurst when successful in the Oberon Cup.
The locals will have plenty to cheer for with Village Of Dreams, Make Mine Cullen, Mister Swinger, Karlsruhe, Villagem, Georgetown and Christian Melody all having excellent chances.
Whoever claims the Cup will rightfully earn their victory, that's tradition in the great race.
The Hunter Cup is race 8 on the program and start time is 9.30pm
