Home town advantage could bring home a win at the Cup

LISMORE Cup has attracted a strong field as a qualifier event for the $2 million Big Dance, but Ballina trainer Stephen Lee says hometown advantage could be the deciding factor.

At the time of going to press, Lee had two horses nominated for the $75,000 Rodney Lees Cabinetmaking Lismore Cup – Byron Eyes and Bellaciaociao.

Lee said Byron Eyes is coming into the Cup, having raced well at Ipswich last week.

He said the six-year-old mare likes the Lismore track and has won over the Cup distance, which has been shortened this year.

Byron Eyes will probably sit back off the pace, he said, before bringing it home.

Bellaciaociao is a French import that Lee says is starting to find form after training on South Ballina Beach.

The seven-year-old mare was a forward running horse, he said, that likes a soft track so a bit of rain on race day would suit her.

Despite running against horses with good provincial form, he said you can’t rule out local horses for the win.

“Bellaciaociao is an outside chance. She’s a nice mare,” Lee said.

“You have got to compete if you’re a local. You’ve got to give your horses a chance.”

The barrier draw would be crucial at the Lismore track, he said.

“Wide makes it tough.”

Trainer of the 2023 Cup winner Brett Dodson is back this year with a New Zealand import, seven-year-old gelding Swift Charm. Another New Zealand horse, Stuck With You, is one to watch. Trained by Matthew Dunn, the nine-year-old bay gelding is an 11-time winner.

Gates open at noon, and racing starts at 12.34pm.