News
26 February, 2026
Who becomes the next Icon?
Let’s meet the greyhounds and connections looking to etch their name into the history books as the winners of the MGRA’s most prestigious greyhound race – The Iconic Sportsbet Australian Cup.
In last year’s edition of the Sportsbet Australian Cup, Mepunga Tully helped Jeff Britton turn a dream into reality, landing the champion trainer his first victory in the race. This year, Mepunga Tully’s littermate Mepunga Reward will fly the flag for the dominant owner/trainer combination of Barry Smith & Jeff Britton as he seeks his second Group 1 of the Carnival.
Mepunga Tully (4) takes out the 2025 edition of the Sportsbet Australian Cup
The name ‘Dailly’ is synonymous with Australian Cup success having taken out six editions of the time-honoured Cup and Tom Dailly will head into the 2026 edition with the Maturity & Topgun winning star, Slick Splits after his impressive semi-finals run in defeat.
Jason Thompson took out his first Australian Cup in 2024 with Tim Zoo and will look to add a second with a two-pronged attack of rising stars, Dramatical and Consigliere, the two youngest and most inexperienced greyhounds in the field.
Cleo’s Star enters the $300,000 to-the-winner feature as one of the main fancies off the back of her consistent early speed and Brendan Pursell will be hoping the only female in the field will add her name to the honour roll alongside superstar bitches of yesteryear like Fanta Bale and Bogie Leigh.
The Wheeler family has been on the podium in many an Australian Cup including a four-year domination from 2016-2019. This year though, the Mark Delbridge trained Paw Oswald flying the flag for the dominant breeding operation from north of the Murray.
Superstar Fanta Bale (8) takes out the 2017 Australian Cup
Jumping from Box 4, the Stephen Whyte trained powerhouse Irish Bill, more known for his racetrack exploits in Queensland to date, will be aiming to show his customary strength in the run home.
If Mav Reiko could deliver John Barbara a first Group 1 victory on Saturday night, it will likely come from a blistering turn of foot through the middle-sectors of the race and would give G1-winning jockey Jarrod Fry a popular victory as an owner/breeder.
