The focus will not only be on horses, but also women in racing, when the Stawell Racing Club hosts the inaugural Grampians Halls Gap Cup today. The Halls Gap Cup is being staged as part of the Women and Country Racing Raceday. Stawell Times News journalist Michelle De’Lisle is pictured receiving some tips from Stable Star, a runner from the Terry and Karina O’Sullivan stables in Stawell, for today’s races. Picture: KERRI KINGSTON
STAWELL - Racing returns to Stawell today with the running of the inaugural Grampians Halls Gap Cup.
While a lot of the focus has been on what is happening off field with the 'Ladies Day' celebrations set to take place, there will be plenty of action on the track for the punters.
Ballarat trainer, Darren Weir, has a strong chance to take out the 1310 metre Grampians Halls Gap Cup with Some Target.
Some Target is coming off a last start win at Echuca following a 23 week spell and despite being held up on the home turn, the five year old managed to get over the line to win by a length.
Some Target enjoys running on the Stawell track after winning in April last year.
Another popular pick with the punters will be Tony Parker trained Freshwater Storm, who is dropping back in class after a recent run at Moonee Valley.
Freshwater Storm was bumped at the start and finished a disappointing eighth. Prior to that the four year old gelding enjoyed wins at Hamilton and Kilmore.
Stawell trainers Terry and Karina O'Sullivan will be hoping to strike on their home track, with both Viva Delspec (who is owned by a local syndicate) and Vihanna Victory set to run in today's Cup.
It will be Viva Delspec's second race back from a 22 week spell while Vihanna Victory ran on Boxing Day at Caulfield after coming back from 18 weeks in the paddock.
There will be eight races at today's Stawell meeting, with the first at 1pm and the final event scheduled at 5.20pm.
For today's fields, visit http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/Racing/meeting.aspx?meet_code=846160
