The prominent owner experienced one of his biggest thrills in harness racing when About To Rock scored an injury-defying win in the 2006 Cup.

Nalder might not have a runner in this year’s $400,000 Group 1 event, but he does have one engaged in one of the support features.

Renaissance Man, a devastating winner of his only start, will take his place in the $20,000 Christian Cullen Premiere Stakes (1609m) for two-year-olds.

The Art Major colt’s trainer Andy Gath said it was a strategic plan to run in the Premiere Stakes due to the connections’ affinity with the night meeting.

“We saw that this race was on about six weeks ago and we tried to have him ready for it due to that Hunter Cup connection,” Gath said.

“We were lucky that we found that race first-up, which he was able to win and force his way into the field. He’s a really good colt, but in saying that every well-performed colt in Victoria this season is in the race, so it won’t be easy.”

Bells And Whistles, a sub 1:59 winner at his only two starts, The Lombo winner Kamwood Jack and Victoria’s fastest two-year-old of the season Modern Warrior (1:57.7) are among his rivals in the 10.07pm event.

While Renaissance Man still has plenty to learn and a trickly barrier to contend with, Gath has a big opinion of the youngster who is the $2.20 favourite in TAB Sportsbet’s fixed odds market.

“I think he’s up there with any juvenile I’ve ever had…Yada Yada Yada, Blatant Lie, Emmas Only, Regal Dash, he’s as good as I’ve had for a long time,” Gath said.

“He just doesn’t really know how to race yet. In one of his trials and in his race he seemed a little bit disinterested, but when he warms up he warms up pretty well.”

Nalder might not have a runner in this year’s Hunter Cup, but Gath does. He has Ultimate Mark, to be driven by his wife and About To Rock’s Hunter Cup-winning driver Kate, engaged from barrier three in the feature event.

“He’s been a bit hit-and-miss from the stand lately, but if he can go away with them he’s drawn well enough to settle handy,” Gath said.

“He’ll be more than competitive if he lobs up nice and close and it is a Hunter Cup, where the horse that has the best run tends to win it.”