General News
20 July, 2026
Local winners set stage for Stawell trots
A burst of success for Stawell district harness racing names will provide the backdrop when the action returns to Laidlaw Park this afternoon.
Local connections head into the Stawell Harness Racing Club meeting on the back of wins at Maryborough, while one of the district’s biggest names will chase Inter Dominion history in Brisbane.
Stawell Harness Racing Club racing manager Mark Percival said there was plenty for local followers of the sport to be excited about.
Among those celebrating are Ken and Gaylene Taylor, whose pacer Imallattitude broke through for his first win at Maryborough recently.
With Horsham-based young driver Luke Sutherland in the sulky, Imallattitude claimed the 2190-metre maiden pace.
Percival said the victory had been hard earned.
“It was a terrific gritty win,” he said.
“I’d actually had a little wager on the horse and I’d given up on the corner.
“But to the horse’s credit, and much to my surprise, he fought back like a caged lion on the line.
“It was a terrific training effort and a terrific drive from young Luke Sutherland.”
Stawell-born trainer Kate Hargreaves also tasted success at the Maryborough meeting, preparing Savon De Roche to victory.
Hargreaves is preparing to move her team back to Stawell, a development Percival said would bring more regular use of Laidlaw Park’s training facilities.
“She is very, very popular in the local community,” he said.
“For a younger trainer, she does a terrific job with her horses.
“They’re always impeccably presented and they’re well placed, so they’re always competitive.
“She’s got a very, very bright future in the industry.”
Meanwhile, Great Western harness racing champion Kerryn Manning will carry district hopes into Saturday night’s Inter Dominion trotting final at Albion Park.
Manning, who turned 50 last week, qualified aboard Lovemeto for her 17th Inter Dominion trotting final, setting a new Australian record for trotting final drives.
Percival said Manning was “on a stellar run at the moment”.
“She’s off to the Inter Dominion in Brisbane on Saturday night with a very live chance in the trotting final,” he said.
Attention will then turn to Laidlaw Park today, where the Stawell club is expecting a strong local contingent for its winter race meeting.
Percival said the club had made a conscious effort to attract starters and support trainers travelling to Stawell.
Trainers whose horses do not finish in the first three will receive a $50 fuel voucher.
“We recognise that at the moment it’s difficult for the industry and the club is investing in trying to give a little bit back to the participants who support us here,” Percival said.
“We know it’s not a huge amount of money, but any little bit is a little bit of help.
“It gives somebody something to go home with if they haven’t been successful on the day.”
Percival said the initiative had been well received when previously offered and formed part of the club’s push to improve average starter numbers.
He expected local trainers to be well represented today, with Imallattitude a possible quick back-up and runners also anticipated from Hargreaves and club president Marnie Bibby.
“There will be a solid Stawell contingent, that’s guaranteed,” he said.
Entry to today's meeting is free, with the Trackside Bistro open and full wagering facilities available.
The club is encouraging people planning to dine to book a table.
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