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By Nick Berney

An in-depth look at every runner in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle on Saturday.

1. Apache Chase (Desleigh Forster): Was slowly away and had nearly every chance last start in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) when finishing ninth. He is a tough-on-pace runner suited back to a drier surface, and the step up in distance is ideal where he produces his peak figures.

2. Overpass (Bjorn Baker): Stepped sharply up in distance from 1200m-1500m when competing in the Golden Eagle (1500m), and he battled on ok for ninth. The four-year-old has a tricky draw and has been up for a long time.

3. Eleven Eleven (Gregory Hickman): Was specked $15-$13 late in the trade and tried hard in a high-rating Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). He is suited back to the clockwise direction and has produced his career peak figures second-up. Expect him to be hitting the line and is a definite chance.

In The Congo (Pic: Bradley Photos)

4. Gem Song (Kris Lees): Wasn’t suited to settling worse than midfield in a slow tempo and ran on well in the Sydney Stakes (1200m). He will be fitter for that effort and returns to his home track, where he has had three starts for two wins.

5. In The Congo (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott): Had the pace/bias against him last start and was honest in the Golden Eagle (1500m) after having those factors against him. The Group 1 winner profiles well for this event, with the step back in distance being ideal, and he has strong form lines. In addition, he maps well and has multiple winning figures. Major player.

6. Vilana (James Cummings): Contested the Golden Eagle (1500m) last start but got too far back in the big field from the wide draw. Prior to that start, he bolted in and clocked one of the fastest 400m-200m splits of the meeting in 11.22 whilst maintaining a strong finishing speed to the line. Expect him to bounce back with a more positive map. Major player.

7. Ingratiating (James Cummings): Failed in the TAB Everest (1200m), but he must still be respected coming through that elite form reference. Before that start he hit the line hard, running one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting at Caulfield in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m). Additionally, if he can repeat that performance, he can be in the finish. Include in wider exotics.

8. Bandersnatch (Team Hawkes): Raced wide throughout in a genuine tempo and battled on fairly in The Big Dance (1600m). He receives a significant barrier change, maps to have all favours and is one for the exotics.

9. Lion's Roar (John O’Shea): Has had 378 days off the scene and has trialled well enough in preparation for his first-up assignment. Prefer to see him deeper into his campaign.

10. Sky Lab (Paul Perry): Resumes and was ridden out in a recent trial over 1200m at Randwick. Prefer him over more distance and on rain-affected ground where he produces his best form.

11. Skyman (Chris Waller): Went out on a career peak figure last prep and ran one of the fastest last 200m splits of the day when winning the Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury. He has trialled in typical Chris Waller fashion and looks wound up to run a big race fresh with James McDonald to ride. Chance.

12. Expat (Mark Newnham): Led and raced in the inferior ground when competing in The Invitation (1400m) and battled on ok. She has a horror draw with plenty of speed drawn inside and prefer on rain-affected ground.

13. Swats That (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace): Was wide throughout last start in The Invitation (1400m) and was well beaten. The mare can bounce back onto a drier surface but is yet to prove herself beyond 1200m.

Brutality (Pic: Bradley Photos)

14. Tycoonist (Chris Waller): Resumes and trialled well recently at Warwick Farm, where he went through the line well and wasn’t extended. The gelding can race well fresh and has always promised ability but must contend with a tricky draw.

15. Aramayo (Sam Kavanagh): Resumes for his new trainer and was solid in a recent trial where he raced in the inferior ground. Forgiving of his last prep, where nothing went right, he’ll need to bounce back to his best to figure in the finish.

16. Gravina (James Cummings): Was solid last start down the Flemington straight in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m). He has fitness on his side, maps well and is a consistent type. However, some query on a bone-dry surface in this grade.

17. Brutality (Joe Pride): Is flying this prep and in career-best from. The gelding has run fast closing splits in all three runs this campaign against the top-line sprinters such as Lost And Running and Private Eye. The six-year-old only improves deeper into his prep and, although he will get back from the draw, he can run on strongly. Must go in all exotics.

Selections:

6. VILANA
5. In The Congo
3. Eleven Eleven
11. Skyman

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Newcastle meeting