The Hunter: Every Runner Breakdown, Tips, and Predicted Finishing Order

IMAGE: Bradley Photos

The Hunter looks like a cracking betting race with genuine depth and plenty of knockout hopes. We’ve broken down every runner to give punters a clear edge — and our best and value plays are waiting at the bottom. Don’t punt without it.

Our experts have crunched the data, mapped every scenario, and pinpointed which runners are ready to peak on the big stage. Don’t miss our best bet, and value selections at the bottom — they could be the key to unlocking a serious collect this weekend.

1. Iowna Merc — 59kg — Barrier 14

Why he can win

Brave Sydney runs behind Rothfire and Coal Crusher read well for this. He’ll roll forward from the wide draw, sit on speed and relish a genuinely fast 1300m.

Why he can’t win

Was unsighted last start and now cops another wide alley against a deep field. Newcastle’s long straight may expose him late if pressured early.

Summary: Honest on-pace warrior but others appeal more at the price — predicted 7th | Betr: $29 win / $6 place – Bet Here

2. Robusto — 59kg — Barrier 2

Why he can win

Bombproof type who thrives at this distance and handles soft ground. Lands in the first four from gate 2 and is always strong late fresh.

Why he can’t win

Genuine miler these days and may find a couple of sharper sprinter–milers too slick at set weights and penalties.

Summary: Maps a treat and can run a cheeky race — predicted 5th | Betr: $20 win / $5 place – Bet Here

3. Coal Crusher — 58.5kg — Barrier 4

Why he can win

The Newcastle specialist. Rolls straight to the front and is extremely hard to pass when he controls a 1300m tempo. Sydney form stacks up.

Why he can’t win

Faces pressure from multiple on-speed runners and hasn’t won for a while. If they overdo it up front, he’s vulnerable late.

Summary: Tough leader who’ll give backers a great sight — predicted 4th | Betr: $4.40 win / $1.85 place – Bet Here

4. Estadio Mestalla — 58.5kg — Barrier 18

Why he can win

Flying this prep with powerful closing figures. Can take a position or sit midfield and still produce a big last 400m.

Why he can’t win

Horrific draw means he either works early or risks being trapped wide. Up in grade again and this is tougher.

Summary: Red-hot form but the draw stings — predicted 6th | Betr: $15 win / $4.40 place – Bet Here

5. Airman — 57.5kg — Barrier 8

Why he can win

Has Group-class talent when he puts it together and draws ideally to stalk a fast tempo and launch late.

Why he can’t win

Four runs this prep without a placing and hasn’t shown his trademark dash. Risky at the moment.

Summary: Capable of surprising but risky — predicted 10th | Betr: $19 win / $5 place – Bet Here

6. Golden Mile — 57.5kg — Barrier 6

Why he can win

Former Group 1 winner with genuine class. Blinkers back on and maps beautifully midfield one-off.

Why he can’t win

Hasn’t shown his old spark for a while and needs a big turnaround to beat these.

Summary: Classy but hard to catch — predicted 11th | Betr: $26 win / $6 place – Bet Here

7. Ostraka — 57kg — Barrier 10

Why he can win

Strong Sydney sprint form and handles firm ground. Maps ideally just behind speed and has a sharp turn of foot.

Why he can’t win

Yet to land a blow in top-tier Group races and may need a perfect ride from the draw.

Summary: Genuine winning chance — predicted 3rd | Betr: $9 win / $3 place – Bet Here

8. Brudenell — 56kg — Barrier 1

Why he can win

Local hope who draws perfectly on the rail and drops weight. Tough on-pace sprinter who loves a genuine tempo.

Why he can’t win

Faces his hardest opposition yet and risks being cluttered on the inside.

Summary: Honest Newcastle hope but more a place chance — predicted 8th | Betr: $51 win / $8 place – Bet Here

9. Darnation — 55kg — Barrier 16

Why she can win

High-quality import with strong European credentials. Trials suggest she’s forward and she carries just 55kg.

Why she can’t win

First Australian run, long break, wide draw, and likely better suited over further.

Summary: Classy mare but likely a prep run — predicted 13th | Betr: $51 win / $8 place – Bet Here

10. Cifrado — 55kg — Barrier 11

Why he can win

Strong late figures last start and well suited at 1300–1400m. Can sit midfield with cover.

Why he can’t win

Needs a fast tempo to bring him into it and this is a deep field.

Summary: Knock-out roughie for exotics — predicted 7th | Betr: $61 win / $10 place – Bet Here

11. Accredited — 54.5kg — Barrier 3

Why he can win

In terrific form and desperately unlucky fresh. Drops 5kg and maps perfectly to lead or box-seat.

Why he can’t win

Steps up sharply in grade and faces pressure up front.

Summary: Rock-solid winning hope — predicted 2nd | Betr: $6.50 win / $2.40 place – Bet Here

12. Konasana — 54kg — Barrier 5

Why she can win

High-quality mare who’ll appreciate 1300m first-up and gets a soft trail midfield.

Why she can’t win

Usually peaks later in the prep and this may be a touch sharp.

Summary: Good mare but better over further — predicted 12th | Betr: $34 win / $7 place – Bet Here

13. Phearson — 54kg — Barrier 15

Why he can win

Capable on-pacer with a strong fresh record. Can cross and sit handy if he jumps well.

Why he can’t win

Terrible barrier and plenty of faster leaders inside him.

Summary: Map ugly — predicted 14th | Betr: $67 win / $12 place – Bet Here

14. Yorkshire — 53.5kg — Barrier 13

Why he can win

Winning machine who keeps stepping up and carries just 53.5kg. Tactical speed makes him versatile.

Why he can’t win

First-up off a long break and drawn wide in a high-pressure race.

Summary: Obvious danger and deserved favourite — predicted 2nd (photo with Accredited) | Betr: $3.50 win / $1.65 place – Bet Here

15. Infancy — 53kg — Barrier 17

Why she can win

Big finish last start and suited if they go hard early.

Why she can’t win

Horrific draw and gives away too big a head start.

Summary: Good mare but too much to do — predicted 15th | Betr: $41 win / $8 place – Bet Here

16. Clear Thinking — 53kg — Barrier 9

Why she can win

Explosive mare with a huge finish and perfectly drawn to stalk the tempo. Fresh win in The Kosciuszko was elite.

Why she can’t win

Meets proper open-class sprinters and needs luck at the right time.

Summary: Progressive star with the right setup — predicted 1st | Betr: $7.50 win / $2.65 place – Bet Here

17. Felix Majestic — 53kg — Barrier 7

Why he can win

Has speed to land in the first few and is honest every time he turns up.

Why he can’t win

Struggling to finish races off and faces a deep field.

Summary: Honest but outclassed — predicted 16th | Betr: $101 win / $17 place – Bet Here

18. Romeo’s Choice — 53kg — Barrier 12

Why he can win

Arrives in strong form with tactical speed and a light weight.

Why he can’t win

Faces tougher opposition and needs a new peak to win.

Summary: Can run well without winning — predicted 9th | Betr: $101 win / $17 place – Bet Here

Best Bet

Clear Thinking ($7.50 / $2.65)

A booming winner fresh with a lethal turn of foot, perfectly drawn, and weighted to strike. If she gets clear air at the right time, she can round them up late – Bet Here

Value Play

Accredited ($6.50 / $2.40)

Flying, draws to box-seat, drops weight and gets first crack at the leaders. A cracking each-way play in a wide-open race – Bet Here