Sport
4 December, 2025
Cup day a resounding success
Rain couldn’t deter the crowd as they enjoyed eight magnificent races on Stawell Harness Racing Club’s biggest day of the year, with the annual Gift Hall of Fame Stawell Cup Pacing final and Trotters Cup final highly contested, won by Sir Nippa and Link In Bio, respectively.
The main race of the day saw Sir Nippa continue his good form, leading all the way to claim a memorable win, its fourth win in its last six starts.
Trained by Gary Jamieson out of Bowenvale, and driven by Jordan Leedham, it won ahead of Steel Ruler, who trailed it all the race, and Tooram Cee Cee.
The race was hotly contested, and the back markers struggled to get into the race, with Leedham riding the perfect race.
Horsham’s Chris Alford was victorious in the Trotters cup, riding Link in Bio to a strong victory. Fourth in a Group One at Melton eight days prior, it was too strong, winning ahead of Johns Boy and More Wanted.
The race favourite, El Resamo, galloped off the 20m handicap and, despite catching up to the field, couldn’t sustain the effort.
In the Stawell Times News Mobile Pace final, it was heartbreak for Great Western’s Kerryn Manning, with her horse, Livermere, trained by her father, Peter, scratched due to an injury sustained in the warm-up.
In a three-way photo finish, it was Icanmotor winning ahead of Too The Max and Ittakesluv. Icanmotor was driven by James Herbertson and trained by Adam Stephens, while Ararat’s Michael Bellman was on the third-placed horse.
Peter Manning and Kerryn Manning teamed up for a third-place finish in race two, with Tellmeboutit.
Read More: Stawell, Great Western