In just its second year of existence The Hunter has drawn another impressive and capacity field of sprinters, seeking their share in a cool $1 million.
Some of the country’s biggest stables will have runners in the feature race at Newcastle – there are a few for James Cummings and Godolphin, likewise the Snowdens, Chris Waller and leading local Kris Lees.
You can find our 2020 The Hunter Tips below.
The Hunter – Winner
No. 3 Ranier – Bet Now: $6.00
The Gong actually looks the better race for Ranier, but I think that he can also run a bolter in The Hunter en route.
The Lonhro gelding is yet another strong and consistent performer that James Cummings has had at his disposal for a few seasons now, and he simply doesn’t run a bad race.
Having won the Luskin Star Stakes and ended a winter prep a close-up fifth in the Stradbroke Handicap, Ranier filled the minors behind Wild Planet and Funstar in the Theo Marks in September and returned from a freshen up to finish fourth over 1400m at Randwick last time out.
I’m expecting him to enjoy good improvement from that effort and he can fight out the finish of The Hunter.
The Hunter – 2nd
No. 9 Redouble – Bet Now: $19.00
Redouble stormed home on the fence to finish a close-up second in The Kosciuszko and will only improve into The Hunter.
The seven-year-old son of Redoute’s Choice returned plenty of typically competitive performances during his last preparation for Bjorn Baker in autumn and winter, filling the minors of the Listed Takeover Target Stakes most notably.
The change in scenery to Mitch Beer’s Albury base appears to have really brought him back on though – he trialled extremely well before putting the writing on the wall on The Everest Day.
He’ll need luck from out wide, but he gets in well under the conditions otherwise and is certainly up to the class.
The Hunter – 3rd
No. 1 Trumbull – Bet Now: $4.80
Trumbull will take winning form into The Hunter and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
The Darci Brahma gelding continued to improve with racing last time in, peaking with an impressive win in the Listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill, but he appears to have returned to the races an even stronger prospect this time, and was a very eye-catching winner of the Sydney Stakes first-up.
With the improvement from that effort, Tommy Berry remaining in the saddle and appropriate luck, he can win another handsome cheque.
The Hunter – 4th
No. 8 Fiesta – Bet Now: $6.00
Fiesta has been a good horse throughout her career, but she is another one that looks like she might have gone to another level this time, and The Hunter looks another lovely race for her.
The multiple black type winner tuned up with a credible run for third in the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield when resuming this time, and is seeking a hat-trick of wins when she contests The Hunter, having saluted in both the Group 3 Northwood Plume and the Group 3 Furphy Sprint.
She looks to be at peak condition for this contest and is another one that just needs luck from out wide to figure late.
The Hunter Suggested Bets
- 2 Units E/W #3 Ranier
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections above