IN night of feature racing success for the Kiwis at Tabcorp Park in Melton, Anthony Butt won his sixth A G Hunter Cup when Choice Achiever ($6.30) showed tremendous heart to edge out hot favourite Auckland Reactor ($2.60 fav.) in a battle to the finish.
As I Can Doosit did in the Trotters Interdominion final, Choice Achiever led early but handed up the lead to the vastly improved Jacka Clive ($8.10).
Thereafter came a number of moves from the rear of the field but Jaccka Clive was still in front as the field wheeled for home and with 100 metres to go there a number of winning chances.
Auckland Reactor put his head in front while Choice Achiever went for a split and was almost through when the tiring Jaccka Clive drifted off and the gap closed.
It looked curtains for Choice Achiever but remarkably he balanced up again and drove through again to edge out Auckland Reactor by a head with Jaccka Clive kicking back strongly only a neck away third.
Local pacer Our Malabar ($26.00) was another great run coming from three back on the pegs for fourth, only another 1.1 metres away.
The race was just as sensational near the rear of the field in the closing stages when three horses were severely hampered at the top of the straight.
They were well covered at the time but Mega Alexander ($78.90), Pembrook Benny ($22.90) and Lets Slash And Burn ($23.90) were all lucky to retain their feet after they locked wheels and were severely checked.
A.G. HUNTER CUP (February)
(Oct. 1986/1991 Known As Hunter Memorial. 1977/91 - Mobile Start. 2011-Melton)
2012-Choise Achiever (Anthony Butt) 1:59.9
2011-Stunin Cullen (Anthony Butt) 2:01.1
2010-Bondy (David Butt) 2:01.7
2009-Mr Feelgood (USA) 10 (Anthony Butt) 1:59.3
2008-Blacks A Fake 30 (C Rasmussen) 1:58.9
2007-Sting Lika Bee 10 (Chris Alford) 2:00.6
2006-About To Rock (Kate Thompson) 2:03.0
2005-Elsu 20 (David Butcher) 2:01.9
2004-Mister D G (Anthony Butt) 2:03.5
2003-Mont Denver Gold (Chris Alford) 2:02.6
2002-Safe And Sound (Lance Justice) 2:01.9
2001-Another Party (Mark Reed) 2:01.4
2000-Yulestar (Tony Shaw) 2:01.3
1999-Paris Affair (Chris Alford) 2:04.3
1998-Try A Fluke (Brian Hancock) 2:02.5
1997-Surprise Package 10 (Tony Herlihy) 2:02.4
1996-Vic’s Vance (Barry Purdon) 2:03.4
1995-Blossom Lady 30 (Anthony Butt) 2:00.6
1994-Blossom Lady 20 (Anthony Butt) 2:01.1
1993-Master Musician 40 (Robert Dunn) 2:02.8
1992-Not Held
1991-Odds Torado (Stephen Dove) 2:01.0
1990-Our Brenray (Tracey O’Sullivan) 2:00.2
1989-Victorys Phil (Tom Mahar) 2:00.2
1988-Sir Reilly (Vin Knight) 1:59.3
1987-Trunky Sting (T B Warwick) 2:00.8
1986-(Oct.) Armchair Ride (Vin Knight) 2:02.6
1986-(Mar.) Village Kid (Chris Lewis) 1:59.2
1985-Preux Chevalier (Barry Perkins) 1:58.4
1984-Rapid Frost (M Cunningham) 2:04.1
1983-Popular Alm (Vin Knight) 1:59.4
1982-Gammalite (Bruce Clarke) 2:05.4
1981-Koala King (Brian Gath) 2:04.5
1980-Pure Steel (Ted Demmler) 2:03.3
1979-Hanna’s Boy (H Hocking) 2:06.0
1978-Pure Steel (Ted Demmler) 2:01.7
1977-Pure Steel (J Retzlatt) 2:04.6
1976-Truant Armagh (Brian Gath) 2:10.4
1975-Royal Gaze (Ken Pocock) 2:07.5
1974-Monara (Don Dove) 2:07.9
1973-Monara (Don Dove) 2:11.0
1972-Dixie Boy (J L Young) 2:09.0
1971-Son Of Nancy (N Welsh) 2:07.6
1970-Adios Court (C J Webster) 2:07.0
1969-Golden Alley (H Pullen) 2:07.8
1968-Bon Adios (Bill Shinn) 2:08.8
1967-Waitaki Hanover 24y (D J Townley) 2:06.6
1966-Minuteman 12y (W J Hurley) 2:08.8
1965-Stormy Bruce (B J Forrester) 2:08.0
1964-Minuteman (Eric Hurley) 2:09.2
1963-Idle Raider (P J Ryan) 2:10.0
1962-Sheffield Globe 12y (Bill Shinn) 2:09.6
1961-Sheffield Globe (Bill Shinn) 2:10.2
1960-Sibelia 12y (M Adams) 2:07.8
1959-Pay Load (W J Hickey) 2:14.2
1958-Radiant Venture 12y (F Connor) 2:12.0
1957-Mineral Spring 12y (M Adams) 2:09.2
1956-Merchant 12y (W K Webster) 2:10.0
1955-Gentleman John (Eric Rothacker) 2:09.6
1954-Ribands 48y (Perc Hall) 2:08.2
1953-New Oro (J W King) 2:10.2
1952-Floodlight (D L Cornish) 2:09.4
1951-Avian Derby (S W Bray) 2:10.4
1950-Amorous 24y (A R Gath) 2:11.8
1949-Silver Peak (F Culbert) 2:11.0
