Sport
2 January, 2026
Strong field expected for Cup day
The annual Lakeside Tourist Park Halls Gap Cup is set to light up Stawell Racing Club this Sunday with a seven-race card. With excellent weather forecast and a high-quality field expected, the day promises plenty of excitement for racing fans.
At the time of writing, the final field had not been confirmed, but nominations suggest a strong lineup.
Andrew Bobbin, head trainer at Grampians Racing, fresh off training two winners at Nhill Cup Day on Boxing Day, will bring a strong team, including one of the favourites for the Cup, Thailess.
“I’ve nominated 14 horses for the Halls Gap Cup meeting, and six or eight will likely accept,” Bobbin said.
“The Halls Gap Cup is a race I support heavily. It’s not only our home track, but it’s also a great mid-summer event for locals and tourists alike. With great weather forecast, I’m expecting a strong crowd and an exciting day of racing.”
Bobbin said Thailess is looking sharp, and he’s eager to secure a second Cup victory.
“I’ve won the Cup before, and it’s a race I target every year,” he said.
“Thailess is a metropolitan winner, fit and ready, and I expect it will be in the firing line for a long way. Hopefully, class will prevail.”
It’s unlikely Dane Smith will have a runner in the cup, but he should have some running in other races, with the most likely, Kovu, in race two.
Smith hopes there will be a big crowd in attendance.
“We won’t be full of confidence in our runners, but we are more hopeful than anything,” he said.
“It’s good for the club to be racing again, and another big crowd would be great for the club.”
Smith’s daughter, Jade, has been booked to ride, but Linda Meech will miss the meeting due to suspension.
Read More: Stawell, Halls Gap, Pomonal, Great Western