Don Hunter poised to follow dam onto prestigious Group One honour roll

27 October 2026

PAUL COURTS 

QUALITY freshman Don Hunter is expected to have no trouble joining his dam on one of New South Wales' most prestigious Group One honour rolls this weekend.

By Huntsville, Don Hunter is from former top filly Miss Halfpenny which was retired with 10 wins and 13 placings from 34 starts for a bankroll of $235,403.

Trained by Paul Fitzpatrick, Miss Halfpenny's victories include the 2018 Breeders' Challenge Final for two-year-old fillies at Club Menangle.

A member of the powerful Luke McCarthy stable, Don Hunter is poised to contest the Breeders' Challenge Final for two-year-old colts and geldings at the same venue on Saturday night.

Miss Halfpenny's half-sister Anntonia won the 2021 Three-Year-Old Final Breeders' Challenge in an Australasian record 1:49.8.

Miss Halfpenny winning a heat of the NSW Breeders Challenge as a two-year-old in 2018. 

 

As for Don Hunter's pending assignment, the colt remains the early favourite ahead of the $150,000 decider despite drawing awkwardly in barrier six.

Aiming for a clean sweep following his heat and semi-final wins, Don Hunter slots into five with the removal of the emergencies.

Don Hunter led throughout from barrier two to score in 1:50.8 in his semi.

"He's a very talented colt," McCarthy said. "Tony (Licastro, owner) picked him out at the sale and he's working out very nicely.

"The draw isn't ideal, but not the end of the world either. He came from six to win the APG Final and I can't see any reason why he can't do it again."

Also aiming for a series clean sweep, Disturbance is considered the main danger from barrier nine.

The colt moves into seven for trainer Blake Fitzpatrick once the emergencies are taken out of the equation.

Disturbance is a brother to Lux Aeterna which secured the 2023 Final for two-year-olds before missing the three-year-old edition due to injury.

Lux Aeterna reclaimed the crown in the four-year-old division last season.