Melton (VIC)
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10
R6
11h16m
Sportsbet A.g. Hunter Cup (group 1)
2760m | Mobile Start | Pacers | 8:35pm
TRACK INFORMATION
Max 7 across front
Sprint lane
RACE CONDITIONS
No NR. RBD
RESTRICTIONS
No age restrictions
No sex restrictions
PRIZE MONEY
$250,000
 
 
  Flucs Open Today Fluc -3 Fluc -2 Fluc -1 Win
R6
12 - JILLIBY NITRO
  • 12 Jilliby Nitro (SR5)
  • D: Lochie Cook
  • T: M A Lee, P D Lee
  • 9-1-3-2-0-x-3-3-4-6
151.0 151.0
$151.00 $151.00 - - - $151.00
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.
TODAY'S STATISTICS
47-5-8-6
TRACK
0-0-0-0
DISTANCE
0-0-0-0
TRK / DIST
23-2-2-3
LAST SEASON
4-0-0-2
THIS SEASON
CAREER STATISTICS
17%
WIN S/RATE
50%
PLACE S/RATE
105-18-14-21
CAREER
$535,208
PRIZE MONEY
1609 - 2300
WIN RANGE
7
DAYS LAST RACE
Career Statistics
Stats Win % Place % Rank
Total 105-18-14-21 17% 50% 10
Distance 0-0-0-0 0% 0% N/A
Dist Range 2-0-0-2 0% 100% 6
Track 47-5-8-6 11% 40% 12
Track / Dist 0-0-0-0 0% 0% N/A
This Season 4-0-0-2 0% 50% 9
Last Season 23-2-2-3 9% 30% 10
1st up 0-0-0-0 0% 0% N/A
2nd up 0-0-0-0 0% 0% N/A
Career Best MR 1:50.3MS 7
Distance Best MR N/A
Stable Stats
Stats Win % Place % Rank
Driver 12mth --- 0% 0% N/A
Lochie Cook
Trainer 12mth --- 0% 0% N/A
M A Lee, P D Lee
Trained at: Ecklin South
Owners: Levarg Racing Group
Breeder(s): M L Deckert
Colours: Red, Yellow Yoke & Braces, Black Diamonds
Age/Sex: 9 year old black gelding
Breeding: Bettors Delight USA - Kiewa Valley (Safely Kept USA)
National Rating: NR97
Gear Changes
Removed: ; Added:
RECENT FORM
RESULT DAY RACE DETAILS RESULT
6 of 8 7
KILMORE (Good) 07/02/2026, 2180m, No NR. 1:55.2 (54.9, 27.1)
Finished 6/8 btn 10.6m, $150000, Lochie Cook (Fr6), $126.00
restrained after start, 1 out 2 back at bell
1st LEAP TO FAME (Sr1)
2nd REPUBLICAN PARTY NZ (Fr2) 3.0m
3rd WAR DAN BUDDY (Fr5) 1.0m
4 of 7 7
CRANBRN (Good) 31/01/2026, 2555m, No NR. 1:55.1 (54.5, 28.2)
Finished 4/7 btn 5.6m, $150000, Lochie Cook (Fr5), $151.00
pre race swab, restrained after start, 4 back on the pegs at bell, used sprint lane
1st LEAP TO FAME (Fr4)
2nd KINGMAN NZ (Fr1) NK
3rd BULLETPROOF BOY (Fr2) 4.5m
3 of 5 13
BALARAT (Good) 24/01/2026, 1710m, No NR. 1:53.6 (54.3, 26.7)
Finished 3/5 btn HFNK, $17500, Lochie Cook (Fr3), $6.00
restrained early stages, 4 back on the pegs at bell
1st SMOKEN ACE NZ (Fr5)
2nd SEBS CHOICE (Fr1) HFNK
3rd JILLIBY NITRO (Fr3) SHFHD
3 of 10 148
HAMILTN (Fast) 11/01/2026, 2660m, NR up to 105. 1:55.6 (54.4, 27.2)
Finished 3/10 btn 18.0m, $15000, Lochie Cook (Sr1), $51.00
1 out 1 back at bell
1st FORTY LOVE (Fr5)
2nd DEE ROE (Sr2) 1.9m
3rd JILLIBY NITRO (Sr1) 16.1m
10 of 10 12
MELTON (Good) 16/08/2025, 1720m, NR up to 105. 1:52.0 (55.6, 28.7)
Finished 10/10 btn 25.7m, $17500, Lochie Cook (Fr7), $23.00
hung in score up, out of position candy pole, warning issued, gate speed, 1 out 1 back at bell, Gave ground over concluding stages, run queried, endoscopic exam, vets examination after race, no abnormalities rep.
1st WAR DAN BUDDY (Sr1)
2nd ISTHISJUSTFANTASY (Sr3) 1.3m
3rd HES FROM HEAVEN NZ (Fr6) HD
2 of 6 2
TERANG (Good) 04/08/2025, 1680m, NR 65 or better. 1:54.1 (57.8, 28.8)
Finished 2/6 btn 3.1m, $8000, Lochie Cook (Fr6), $3.20
pulled hard in score-up, gate speed, unsuccessfully contested lead, behind leader at bell
1st BETTOR ISOLATE (Fr2)
2nd JILLIBY NITRO (Fr6) 3.1m
3rd HES ALL TORQUE (Fr3) 6.4m
3 of 7 14
MELTON (Good) 02/08/2025, 1720m, No NR. 1:51.2 (53.9, 27.0)
Finished 3/7 btn 3.4m, $22500, Lochie Cook (Fr4), $26.00
restrained after start, 4 back on the pegs at bell
1st SAHARA BREEZE (Fr1)
2nd YAMBUKIAN (Sr2) HD
3rd OLIVER DAN (Fr3) 3.1m
3rd JILLIBY NITRO (Fr4) 3.1m
1 of 8 7
MELTON (Good) 19/07/2025, 1720m, NR up to 105. 1:52.8 (54.2, 27.3)
Finished 1/8 $17500, Lochie Cook (Fr2), $13.00
gate speed, led, leader at bell, swabbed
1st JILLIBY NITRO (Fr2)
2nd FIGHTER COMMAND (Fr7) 6.2m
3rd YOUNG BLUEY (Fr3) 1.4m
9 of 11 7
MELTON (Good) 12/07/2025, 1720m, No NR. 1:52.5 (56.4, 27.1)
Finished 9/11 btn 10.2m, $22500, Lochie Cook (Fr6), $41.00
gate speed, 1 out 2 back at bell, held up
1st YAMBUKIAN (Sr4)
2nd KEAYANG TOKYO (Sr1) 5.5m
3rd TRIPLE EIGHT NZ (Sr3) HD
6 of 11 N/A
MELTON (Good) 05/07/2025, 2240m, No NR. 1:54.4 (54.9, 27.3)
Finished 6/11 btn 14.9m, $22500, Lochie Cook (Sr5), $151.00
tightened, 6 back on the pegs at bell
1st SAHARA BREEZE (Fr2)
1st YAMBUKIAN (Fr5)
3rd KISS NZ (Fr1) 1.8m