RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: Well, what a race this is. The 2026 A. G. Hunter Cup has drawn a stunning field of pacing stars headlined by Australasia’s richest ever, LEAP TO FAME (6). The Queensland champ has won the Ballarat, Cranbourne and Kilmore features in brilliant fashion in recent weeks to set up a shot at a $1 million bonus should he claim a second Hunter Cup crown on Saturday night. I’d suggest he might have to sit parked to do so from gate six, but he’s the horse they all have to beat. The speed battle looks interesting, with WAR DAN BUDDY (4) crossing REPUBLICAN PARTY (1) at Kilmore last weekend. I’m not sure he can do that here with powerhouse stayer SWAYZEE (2) drawn inside him and I fancy the most likely scenario is that Jason Grimson’s defending champion assumes control at the top. He chased hard from the back in the Cranbourne Gold Cup from a difficult barrier and will prove awfully hard to run down should he lead. REPUBLICAN PARTY (1) draws the same gate he had when a slashing third in last year’s Hunter Cup, but might land a spot closer this time around. He tuned up for this with a brave second to LEAP TO FAME (6) at Kilmore and looks ready to fire. KINGMAN (10) is an emerging Grand Circuit gun and can win despite the tricky back row draw, while veteran MAX DELIGHT (9) might be worth considering for exotics at odds.