Three Group 1 races - the $400,000 BIG6 AG Hunter Cup, $250,000 SEW-Eurodrive Inter Dominion trotting grand final and the $200,000 Alabar Victoria Pacers Derby - were held in front of a huge crowd.

The AG Hunter Cup was the race everybody came to see and they were not disappointed, with the Kiwi Bondy claiming the major prize.

When co-trainer Catherine Butt came up with barrier five at Tuesday's vital barrier draw, connections were beside themselves resulting in heavy backing all through the week as Bondy is usually a brilliant beginner in standing starts.

Starting swiftly as the tapes released in the 3065-metre feature, Bondy headed the field when passing the winning post on the first occasion.

Despite several challengers throughout, Bondy kicked away on straightening to defeat the Dubbo hope Karloo Mick which trailed, with Western Australia's Im Themightyquinn rattling home late for an unlucky third.

Running his last half mile in a slick 57 seconds, with a final quarter of 28.5, Bondy proved impossible to catch in the run to the wire, recording a mile rate of 2-01.6 for the journey.

An eight-year-old gelded son of Live Or Die and Killarney, Bondy is trained in partnership by winning reinsman David Butt and wife Catherine at Woodend Beach north of Christchurch in New Zealand's South Island after being originally in the care of David's father Robin.

The Victoria Derby was won by New Zealander Courage To Rule, a gelding by multiple Derby winner Courage Under Fire from Rule The Roost. A game Lincoln Royal came second, with the Queenslander Lanercost third.

Globe-trotting Sundon/Landoras Gift gelding Sundons Gift made a one act affair of the Inter Domininion trotting final over 2575 metres for Nagambie trainer/driver Chris Lang.