News
10 February, 2026
West On Sidney Impresses in Slick Meadows Trial Ahead of Australian Cup
WA speedster West On Sidney has had his first look at The Meadows, producing a sharp trial in between races on Saturday night as he builds toward the Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup Carnival.
Flying in from Mandurah on Friday, the Chris Halse-trained chaser stopped the clock in a best-of-the-night 29.77 seconds over the 520 metres, after showing early dash in 5.19 seconds (17.75-second split) and powering home in 12.02 seconds.
West On Sidney trialling at The Meadows last weekend.
Sharapova Star went 29.85 seconds (5.09 early) in a Free For All later in the night. Producing one of her best performances in her 58-start career. She lines up in the Sportsbet Temlee on Saturday night (race 10 box 8).
Race caller James Van de Maat labelled West On Sidney’s trial one of the better first looks he has seen at The Meadows.
Highly regarded since his early days, West On Sidney made an early statement in his career when representing Total Container Solutions in Western Australia’s answer to The Phoenix – the Sandgroper, at just his eighth start. Ten weeks later, he went on to claim the Group Listed West Cha$e Final at Cannington over 520 metres.
Since then, the son of Tommy Shelby and West On Hazel has successfully tested himself over the middle distance, recording three wins from five starts.
Following Saturday night’s trial, West On Sidney returned to Western Australia to continue preparations for his heat of the Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup (520m), where he has drawn box seven in race four.
He will face stiff competition, including Distinction (box eight), who boasts a 29.90-second personal best over the track and distance, alongside Group race performer Zelda Covilha (box three) and emerging talent Amron Dancer (box two).
Eight heats of the Group 1 Sportsbet Australian Cup will be run at The Meadows on Saturday night, alongside the Group 1 Sportsbet Temlee (525m) and Group 1 Sportsbet Zoom Top (730m).
The top three finishers from each Australian Cup heat, along with the eight Temlee competitors, will progress to the semi-finals in week two of the Sportsbet Australian Cup Carnival
Original article written by GRV’s Molly Haines