But perhaps the barrier gods knew of their previous success, after Pay Me Mach drew the outside position for tonight's $18,000 heat at Forbury Park.
Ryal Bush-based Hunter and the syndicate won the heat in 2001 with Galleons Treasure, who went on to finish eighth in the final on New Zealand Cup Day, and with Franco Ledger in 2010, who was scratched from his final due to a tendon injury.
Hunter has a genuine contender with Pay Me Mach, who has been imperious in his two starts in the grades in Southland this season.
But he knows the heat comes on tonight when the Mach Three colt takes on Regulus, Alleluia and Onedin Mach among others in the 1700m qualifier for the group 1 Sires' Stakes Final at Addington on November 12.
''He competed against Regulus last season, and although he was only placed in his 2yr-old season, they were top runs,'' Hunter said.
''He had to work extremely hard in both of them.
''I'm hopeful he'll come back this season and be competitive at a high level, but you just don't know. This is the first test for the season so we're about to find out more.''
Hunter, who will not be back driving for at least three more weeks after getting bowled over by a young horse five weeks ago, said stand-in driver Shane Walkinshaw will be forced to work at some point as Pay Me Mach again has to negotiate the extra hurdle of a bad draw.
''He's never had a good draw in his life,'' Hunter said.
''He'll get a fright when he gets one.
''[The draw] is a little bit tricky. It gives the nice 3yr-olds a chance to set themselves up well, whereas at one part of the race, he's going to have to work somewhere.''
The colt had not grown much during his time in the paddock between his 2yr-old and 3yr-old seasons, Hunter said.
''He's never going to be a big horse, but he's a lovely, well-balanced type.
Hunter also has Groomsman - out of the smart race mare Nursemaid - having his first start this campaign. The Art Major colt has drawn the inside barrier.
''From that draw, he won't have to work any extra. It makes things a lot easier as it's not a nice track to be wide on.
''He's just on his way up. He'll probably find the classy ones a bit tough for him.''
All is well with Franco Ledger at his temporary home with Colin and Julie de Filippi in Lincoln after his third behind Christen Me on Friday, Hunter said.
''Everything's good and fine. We'll just carry on down the road towards the [New Zealand] Cup.''
Hunter has always been a fan of Terror To Love, and he has plenty of respect for Christen Me as well.
''Terror To Love has only been a notch off a champion all the way through his career, really. He's been an exceptionally good horse - he's won two cups, and it could be three.
''The other one, the new kid on the block, he's very very good. They look heads and shoulders above the others.''
