Hunter Cup

{{Short description|Annual harness horse race in Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}

The '''Hunter Cup''', also known as the A.G. Hunter Cup, is a Group 1 harness horse race for standardbreds or pacers held at Melton Entertainment Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The race was named after Alex G Hunter, the Trotting Control Board’s first chairman who was inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall Of Fame in 2011. The inaugural race was held for a stake of two thousand pounds ($4000) in 1949 with Silver Peak winning, driven by Frank Culvert.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=46934|title=News Article - Australian Harness Racing|website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref>

The race used to be staged at Moonee Valley before moving in 2011 to Victoria's new home of harness racing at Melton Entertainment Park.

The race distance has changed many times over its history. Since 2017 it has been raced over 2,760 metres but prior to that it was run over a longer distance (2840m to 3280m) for many years. From 1986 to 1991 it was a 2380m event. It is currently contested from a mobile start but was a standing start event from 1993 until 2016.

==Race results==

The following are winners of the A G Hunter Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HRA Annual On-Line: Race Chronicles - Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit |url=https://www.harness.org.au/hra/feature/rc_agcp.pdf |access-date=September 7, 2024 |website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetrots.com.au/tv/shows/champions-hunter-cup/|title=Champions - Hunter Cup|website=Harness Racing Victoria}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.harness.org.au/ausbreed/reports/search/?message=|title=Australian Harness Racing|website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref> [[File:Tony Herlihy MNZM (cropped).jpg|thumb|1997 winning driver, Tony Herlihy]] {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%;" ! width="44px" | Year ! width="60px" | Distance ! width="120px" | Winner ! width="120px" | Trainer ! width="120px" | Driver ! width="60px" | Mile Rate ! width="120px" | 2nd ! width="120px" | 3rd |- |2026|| 2760m||Swayzee||Jason Grimson||Cameron Hart|| 1:53.3 ||Leap To Fame||Republican Party (NZ) |- |2025<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/swayzee-wins-the-battle-of-the-brothers-in-hunter-cup-thriller/|title=Swayzee wins the battle of the brothers in Hunter Cup thriller|first=Lachlan|last=Mitchell|website=Harness Racing Victoria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/australia/swayzees-staying-power-overwhelms-his-rivals-in-hunter-cup/|title=Swayzee’s staying power overwhelms his rivals in Hunter Cup - Harnesslink|first=Tony|last=Milanese|date=2 February 2025}}</ref>||2760m||Swayzee||Jason Grimson||Cameron Hart||1:51.9|| Leap To Fame ||Republican Party (NZ) |- |2024<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Group Race Results 2024/2024 |url=https://www.harness.org.au/hra/feature/gr_ausdates_2024.pdf |access-date=October 4, 2024 |website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref>|| 2760m||Leap To Fame<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/larry-takes-another-leap-to-greatness-with-hunter-cup-masterclass/|title=Larry takes another Leap to greatness with Hunter Cup masterclass|first=Tim|last=O'Connor|website=Harness Racing Victoria}}</ref>|| Grant Dixon || Grant Dixon ||1:54.0 || Don't Stop Dreaming (NZ) ||Max Delight |- |2023 |2760m |Honolua Bay<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/corner-cut-clinches-honolua-bay-dramatic-hunter-cup/|title=Corner cut clinches Honolua Bay dramatic Hunter Cup|first=Michael|last=Howard|website=Harness Racing Victoria}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://racenet.com.au/news/despite-winning-the-hunter-cup-honolua-bay-has-been-rated-as-inferior-to-his-boom-stablemate-20230205|title=Despite winning the Hunter Cup Honolua Bay was acknowledged as inferior to his boom stablemate|date=5 February 2023|website=racenet.com.au}}</ref> |Emma Stewart |David Moran |1:55.2||I Cast No Shadow (NZ) ||Old Town Road (NZ) |- |2022 |2760m |King Of Swing (NZ) |Belinda McCarthy |Luke McCarthy |1:56.7|| Spirit of St Lewis (NZ) ||Amazing Dream (NZ) |- |2021 |2760m |Lochinvar Art |David Moran |David Moran |1:54.8||Alta Orlando (NZ) ||King of Swing (NZ) |- |2020 |2760m |King Of Swing (NZ) |Craig Cross |Gary E Hall Jnr |1:55.4|| Our Uncle Sam ||Chase Auckland (NZ) |- |2019 |2760m |Tiger Tara (NZ) |Kevin Pizzuto |Todd McCarthy |1:53.2|| Our Uncle Sam ||San Carlo |- |2018 |2760m |Lazarus (NZ)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/101163437/lazarus-too-tough-too-strong-in-a-g-hunter-cup-in-victoria|title=Lazarus too tough, too strong in A G Hunter Cup in Victoria|date=4 February 2018|website=Stuff }}</ref> |Mark Purdon |Mark Purdon |1:54.1|| Soho Tribeca ||Heaven Rocks |- |2017 |3280m |Bling It On |John McCarthy |Luke McCarthy |1:55.1|| Yayas Hot Spot (NZ) ||Lennytheshark |- |2016 |3280m |Smolda |Mark Purdon |Mark Purdon |1:57.3|| Ohoka Punter (NZ) ||My Hard Copy (NZ) |- |2015 |3280m |Arden Rooney (NZ) |Kerryn Manning |Kerryn Manning |1:58.4|| Franco Ledger (NZ) ||Easy on the Eye (NZ) |- |2014 |3280m |Christen Me (NZ) |Cran Dalgety |Dexter Dunn |1:59.2|| Caribbean Blaster ||Gold Ace (NZ) |- |2013 |3280m |Mah Sish (NZ) |Tim Butt |Anthony Butt |1:59.2|| Jaccka Clive (NZ) ||Caribbean Blaster |- |2012 |3280m |Choise Achiever (NZ) |Tim Butt |Anthony Butt |1:59.9||Auckland Reactor (NZ) ||Jaccka Clive (NZ) |- |2011 |3280m |Stunnin Cullen (NZ) |Tim Butt |Anthony Butt |2:01.1|| Smiling Shard (NZ) ||Im Themightyquinn (NZ) |- |2010 |3065m |Bondy (NZ) |David Butt |David Butt |2:01.7|| Karloo Mick ||Im Themightyquinn (NZ) |- |2009 |3065m |Mr Feelgood (USA) |Tim Butt |Anthony Butt |1:59.3||I Am Sam ||Report for Duty (NZ) |- |2008 |3065m |Blacks A Fake |Natalie Rasmussen |Natalie Rasmussen |1:58.9|| Smoken Up (NZ) ||Report for Duty (NZ) |- |2007 |3065m |Sting Lika Bee |Brian Tuddenham |Chris Alford |2:00.6||Toe Taper ||Flashing Red |- |2006 |3050m |About To Rock |Andy Gath |Kate Thompson (now Gath) |2:03.0|| || |- |2005<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing-roll-of-horror-for-hunter-cup/V6MDEQMVORLFUPMKBJ3YV5ZILM/|title=Racing: Roll of horror for Hunter Cup|date=24 November 2023|website=The New Zealand Herald }}</ref> |3050m |Elsu (NZ) |Geoff Small |David Butcher |2:01.9|| || |- | 2004|| 3050m|| Mister D G || Tim Butt||Anthony Butt ||2:03.5|| || |- | 2003|| 3050m|| Mont Denver Gold ||Barry W Alford ||Chris Alford ||2:02.6|| || |- | 2002|| 3050m|| Safe and Sound<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harness.org.au/grandcirc/2001/p_hunter.htm|title=Australasian Grand Circuit - Stories 2001/2002 - AG Hunter Cup|website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref> || John D Justice ||Lance J Justice ||2:01.9|| || |- | 2001|| 3050m|| Another Party || M B Reed ||M B Reed ||2:01.4|| || |- | 2000|| 3020m|| Yulestar || Judith Lorraine Nolan ||Tony Shaw ||2:01.3|| || |- |1999 ||3280m ||Paris Affair || Peter Tonkin ||Chris Alford ||2:04.3|| || |- |1998 ||3280m ||Try a Fluke || Justin Warwick||Brian Hancock ||2:02.5|| || |- |1997<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/australia/the-1997-a-g-hunter-cup-a-race-full-of-surprises/|title=The 1997 A G Hunter Cup, a race full of surprises - Harnesslink|first=Len|last=Baker|date=10 January 2025}}</ref> ||3280m ||Surprise Package ||Barry Purdon||Tony Herlihy ||2:02:4* || || |- |1996 ||3280m ||Vics Vance|| ||Barry Purdon ||2:03.4|| || |- |1995|| 3280m ||Blossom Lady|| Derek Jones||Anthony Butt ||2:00.6|| || |- |1994 ||3280m ||Blossom Lady||Derek Jones ||Anthony Butt ||2:01.1|| || |- |1993||2840m ||Master Musician||Robert Dunn ||Robert Dunn|| 2:02.8|| || |- |1992 || not run|| || || || || |- |1991|| 2380m ||Odds Torado || ||Stephen Dove ||2:01.0|| || |- |1990 ||2380m ||Our Brenray || ||Tracey L O’Sullivan ||2:02.3|| || |- | 1989 ||2380m ||Victorys|| ||Phil T Mahar ||2:00.2|| || |- | 1988||2380m ||Sir Reilly|| || Vincent Knight ||1:59.3|| || |- | 1987 ||2380m ||Trunkey Sting || ||T B Warwick ||2:00.8|| || |- | 1986|| 2380m ||Village Kid<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=18113|title=News Article - Australian Harness Racing|website=www.harness.org.au}}</ref> || Bill Horn<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/emotional-tribute-to-village-kids-iconic-trainer/|title=Emotional tribute to Village Kid's iconic trainer|website=www.hrnz.co.nz}}</ref> ||Chris Lewis ||1:59.4|| || |- | 1985 ||2870m * ||Preux Chevalier (WA) fr || Barry Perkins ||Barry Perkins ||1:58.5|| || |- | 1984 ||2870m * ||Rapid Frost (NSW) fr || ||M. Cunningham ||2:04.0|| || |- | 1983|| 2870m * || Popular Alm (VIC) fr || Bob Knight ||Vincent Knight ||1:59.4|| || |- | 1982 ||2870m * || Gammalite (VIC) fr || Leo O'Connor ||Bruce Clarke ||2:05.4|| || |- | 1981 ||2870m * || Koala King (NSW) fr || Ray Wisbey ||Brian Gath ||2:04.5|| || |- | 1980 ||2870m * || Pure Steel (WA) fr || Phil Coulson ||Ted Demmler ||2:08.3|| || |- | 1979 ||2900m * || Hanna's Boy (VIC) fr || ||H. Hocking ||2:06.0|| || |- | 1978 ||2800m * || Pure Steel (WA) fr ||Phil Coulson ||Ted Demmler ||2:01.7|| || |- | 1977 ||2900m * || Pure Steel (WA) fr||Phil Coulson || J. Retzlaff|| 2:04.6|| || |- | 1976 ||2851m || Truant Armagh (VIC) fr ||Graeme Morgan ||Brian Gath ||2:10.4|| || |- | 1975 ||2851m|| Royal Gaze (VIC) fr || ||K. Pocock ||2:07.5|| || |- | 1974|| 2851m ||Monara (VIC) fr || ||D. V. Dove ||2:07.9|| || |- | 1973|| 14f.36y ||Monara (VIC) fr || ||D. V. Dove||2:11.0|| || |- | 1972|| 14f.36y ||Dixie Boy (NSW) fr || ||J. L. Young ||2:09.0|| || |- | 1971 ||14f.36y ||Son of Nancy (VIC) fr|| || N. Welsh ||2:07.6|| || |- |1970 ||14f.36y|| Adios Court (SA) fr || ||C. J. Webster ||2:07.0|| || |- |1969 ||14f.36y ||Golden Alley (TAS) fr || ||H. Pullen||2:07.8|| || |- |1968|| 14f.36y|| Bon Adios (SA) fr|| || W. Shinn ||2:08.8|| || |- |1967 ||14f ||Waitaki Hanover (NZ) 24y || ||Doody Townley|| 2:06.6|| || |- |1966||14f ||Minuteman (SA) 12y || ||Eric R. Hurley|| 2:08.8|| || |- | 1965|| 14f ||Stormy Bruce (NSW) fr || ||B. J. Forrester ||2:08.0|| || |- |1964 ||14f ||Minuteman (SA) fr || ||Eric R Hurley|| 2:09.2|| || |- |1963 ||14f|| Idle Raider (NSW) fr || ||P. J. Ryan ||2:10.0|| || |- |1962 ||14f ||Sheffield Globe (VIC) 12y|| || W. Shinn ||2:09.6|| || |- |1961 ||14f ||Sheffield Globe (VIC) fr|| || W. Shinn ||2:10.2|| || |- |1960 ||14f ||Sibelia (NSW) 12y || ||M. Adams ||2:07.8|| || |- |1959|| 14f ||Pay Load (VIC) fr || ||W. A. Hickey ||2:14.2|| || |- |1958|| 14f ||Radian Venture (SA) 12y|| || F. Connor ||2:12.0|| || |- |1957 ||12½f ||Mineral Spring (NSW) 12y || ||M. Adams ||2:09.2|| || |- |1956 ||12½f ||Merchant (SA) 12y || ||W. K. Webster ||2:10.0|| || |- |1955|| 12½f ||Gentleman John (VIC) fr|| || E. J. Rothacker ||2:09.6|| || |- |1954 ||12½f|| Ribands (NSW) 48y || ||P. J. Hall ||2:08.2|| || |- |1953|| 12½f ||New Oro (VIC) fr || ||J. W. King ||2:10.2|| || |- |1952 ||12½f ||Floodlight (TAS) fr|| || D. L. Cornish ||2:09.4|| || |- |1951 ||12½f|| Avian Derby (NSW) fr|| || S. W. Bray|| 2:10.4|| || |- |1950 ||12½f ||Amorous (VIC) 24y || ||A. R. Gath ||2:11.6|| || |- |1949 ||12½f ||Silver Peak (NSW) fr<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22697647|title=Surprise Possible In A. G. Hunter Cup|newspaper=Argus |date=1 January 1949|via=Trove}}</ref> || ||Frank Culbert ||2:11.0|| || |- |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070402090720/http://www.harness.org.au/vic/HunterCup/index.html A G Hunter Cup Website]

Category:Harness races in Australia Category:Australasian Grand Circuit Races