Will History Repeat In Hunter Cup?

04 February 2015 | Chris Barsby
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Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit leader Christen Me will need to turn the clock back.

The hulking superstar is looking for back to back victories in the Gr.1 $400,000 Del-Re National Food Group Hunter Cup at TABCORP Park, Melton this Saturday night, which is run over the 3280m distance.

The last horse to achieve this feat was no ordinary animal, champion New Zealand mare Blossom Lady recorded victories in the 1994 edition before backing up twelve months later to claim it again in 1995.

That was back when the Hunter Cup was a true staying test run under handicap conditions, Blossom Lady won her first Hunter Cup from a 20m handicap before overcoming a 30m handicap the following year against a vintage crop of pacing talent.

The Hunter Cup still attracts the best possible pacers available but the handicap conditions no longer remain.

And the Kiwi pacers still hold pride of place in the stand-start marathon.

Since the race underwent changes back in 1993, New Zealand trained pacers have won 14 of the past 22 editions including the last six.

The last Australian trained pacer to win the Hunter Cup was Blacks A Fake, the greatest pacer of all time.

And the Kiwi’s clearly look the testing material this year with the country’s three best pacers in Christen Me, Adore Me and Terror To Love all boasting outstanding credentials.

The Cran Dalgety trained Christen Me has raced in outstanding form this Australian summer boasting victories in the Miracle Mile and Bendigo Cup before scoring a scintillating victory in last week’s Victoria Cup.

Christen Me overcame a second-line draw to win last year after working hard mid-race before outstaying his rivals in a thrilling finish.

On Saturday night, Christen Me will line up in four, right alongside star mare and reigning New Zealand Cup champion Adore Me who starts from three.

As good as Christen Me was winning last week, the performance of Adore Me was just as impressive after starting from a nasty second-line draw in the sprint feature.

And victory this week for either pacer could secure the title of Grand Circuit champion this season.

While Christen Me is hoping to become the first horse since Blossom Lady to record back to back victories, Adore Me will become the first mare since Blossom Lady to win the great race.

Three times New Zealand Cup hero Terror To Love, needs no introduction to feature staying contests but has again drawn poorly in a feature Australian event, the striking stallion will sport saddlecloth number 13 this weekend.

Of the 14 runners listed to start, only three horses in the field are Australian bred and all come from the stable of Emma Stewart.

Philadelphia Man (1), Restrepo (5) and Guaranteed (11) are the three Aussie bred pacers taking their place in the famed feature.

All three pacers boast victories on the Victorian Country Cup circuit this season but connections are hoping to get their hands on the prized silverware this weekend.

Astute horseman Geoff Webster is duly represented with Franco Ledger (12) and Flaming Flutter (7) both looking to cause an upset, both pacers will relish the stand-start conditions.

Wonder woman Kerryn Manning has won most Australian features but the Hunter Cup has proven elusive to date but hopes to etch her name in the history books with a victory behind Arden Rooney (2), the former New Zealand is a noted stayer with a strong liking for stand start events.

New South Wales based Lauren Panella is also hoping for a victory in the Hunter Cup and she will partner Easy On The Eye (8) for trainer Shane Tritton.

Easy On The Eye failed to fire last year behind Christen Me but boasts much stronger form lines this season highlighted by his dominant victory at Goulburn last start.

The last female reinsperson to win the Hunter Cup was Natalie Rasmussen with her champion pacer Blacks A Fake back in 2008 when overcame a 30m handicap while Kate Gath scored two years earlier with About To Rock.

Ballarat Cup winner Im Corzin Terror (9) has the services of Anthony Butt, the most successful driver in the events’ history.

Butt has won the Cup a record seven times with the most recent coming in 2013 with Mah Sish, trained by his brother Tim.

Im Corzin Terror is prepared by New Zealand born horseperson Amanda Grieve, and like Butt, both call Australia home nowadays.

Victorian Country Cup star Uncle Wingnut (6) tackles his biggest challenge this weekend but his form this season has been ultra-consistent and will be given every chance by his regular reinsman Michael Bellman.

Washmepockets (10) and Smudge Bromac (14) also face big tasks but both deserve their opportunity in the country’s biggest staying event following some consistent efforts of late.

The Hunter Cup is a war of attrition, survival of the fittest and this year will be no exception.

 

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