Horse Racing
3 September, 2026
Big day out for Linda Meech at Sheep Hills Cup
The betDeluxe Sheep Hills Cup at the Warracknabeal racecourse was won by Tikemyson, ridden by the talented Linda Meech and trained at Warrnambool by Symon Wilde.
by Lance Huebner & Grace Morrow
Following recent rains, the racing surface was rated a good 4, proving once again that it is one of the best wet weather courses in country Victoria, as very few racecourses would have had that rating at the weekend.
For Linda it was part of a winning treble, having won on Habitual in race 1 and on Surfy Pete for Paul Preusker in the final race.
Linda Meech proved why she is sought after in Cups races.
She had Tikemyson in near last position going past the post with one lap to go and steadily improved the 7-year-old's position, never leaving the rail, when the field fanned out at the 400 metre mark.
Linda moved through the opening to move past the leader Nicoffhome, who led for most of the race in the shadows of the post. Swan Hill trainer Nathan Hobson trained a winning double.
Off the track
The BetDeluxe Sheep Hills Cup was a sensational day trackside, welcoming hundreds of locals and guests from Melbourne, Mildura, Bendigo and surrounding areas.
The day brought together everything that makes country racing so special: horses, music, food, fashion and community, with racegoers flooding through the gates to enjoy a beautiful day of sunshine and entertainment.
The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was vibrant, with guests enjoying the racing action while making the most of the entertainment and activities on offer.
The presentation of the Winter Fashions Series was a highlight of the day and marked its end.
Our top three finalists from across the Winter Fashions Series made an appearance trackside to find out who would be crowned the overall winner.
Nikki Howells-Schramm took out first place in the Winter Fashions Series, with Karlie Owen and Renee Johnson named as runners-up.
The online component of the competition generated strong engagement, with 23 entries received throughout the series.
The People’s Choice Award was won by Teagan Hall, reflecting the strong involvement and support for the competition.
The success of the Winter Fashions Series has provided an excellent foundation to build upon in 2027, with opportunities to continue growing participation, online engagement and the profile of the competition.
Local artist Danielle provided the afternoon's musical entertainment, treating guests to acoustic country throughout the day.
Feedback from attendees highlighted how much people enjoyed relaxing trackside and listening to Danielle's performance, which added to the event’s relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
The BetDeluxe Sheep Hills Cup was a successful celebration of country racing and community, attracting visitors from across the region and further afield.
Overall, the event was a fantastic showcase of Warracknabeal, country racing, and our local community's strength. We look forward to building on the success of the BetDeluxe Sheep Hills Cup and the Winter Fashions Series in 2027.