70M WINNERS CROWNED; SEMI FINAL DRAWS RELEASED FOR MENS AND WOMENS GIFTS

Date: 20th April 2025

The hotly contested 70m finals were awarded today while the draws for the 2025 Powercor Stawell Gift and the Powercor Women’s Gift semi-finals were announced in advance of tomorrow, Easter Monday. The field for the Invitational 1000m featuring Peter Bol is also confirmed.

In today’s 70m races Caitlyn Nicholson took out the Change Our Game Women’s Handicap 70m and Ivor Metcalf was victorious in the Arthur Postle Handicap 70m.

The Nick Fiedler coached Nicholson was swamped by her training group, as the favourite who hails from the local town of Ararat came through with the performance to win on Easter Sunday.

Caitlyn, who took the final from a mark of 12m in 8.201s said: “I’m so happy, I had no expectations coming into the race after breaking my foot last season. But I’ve had the best year of my life. Having my whole family here at my home Gift is amazing and their support means everything.” Caitlyn, a close family friend of Neil, Sue and Sarah Blizzard, was presented with the Blizzard Sash by a proud Sue Blizzard.

On his first visit to Stawell, Ivor Metcalf, trained by Brian Wright from the Sprint Right squad in Eastern Sydney managed to take the 70m crown in 7.656 off a handicap of 4.25m. 

“I only joined the Right Squad this year, and the Stawell Gift is all they talk about,” said a clearly delighted Metcalf.  “I’m stoked to be here and I’m definitely coming back next year,” said Metcalf, who came 5th in the 110m hurdles at the Australian Athletics Championships last week.

Easter Monday is finals day with the Powercor Women’s Gift semi-finals commencing at 12:00pm with the final at 1:45pm. The Powercor Stawell Gift Semi Finals start at 12:43pm with the final at 2:20pm.

28-year-old teacher from St Peters in Adelaide John Evans had the fastest time in the Powercor Stawell Gift heats along with Jasmine Rowe, 25, from Todd Ireland’s Team Ireland Track Squad in Melbourne.

All eyes will be on the final semi-final 6 as Evans will be tasked with holding off sprint sensation and crowd favourite Gout Gout starting at the back off 1m. 

Lachlan Kennedy with the 3rd fastest heat time on Saturday kicks off semi final 1 with fellow Australian relay squad member Jacob Despard off 1.75m and one of the favourites, teenager Dash Muir off 7.75m.

Jack Hale is the backmarker off 2.25m in semi 4 and needs to catch Tim Delahunty 8.25m and Patrick Martin off 8.5m.  All three featured strongly with the bookmakers.  

Bree Rizzo and Chloe Mannix-Power will wear the red off their scratch (0) marks.  

Jasmine Rowe will head off first in heat 1 of the Powercor Women’s Gift semi-finals as the front marker trying to hold off Kayla Montagner off 7m and backmarker 2019 Women’s Gift champion Alexia Loizou.

Defending champion Chloe Mannix-Power will have her work cut out trying to catch 2nd fastest in the heats Jemma Stapleton out the front on 11m.

Semi-final 4 will see Bree Rizzo hunting down a group with Amber van Eede in the front off 10.25. Third fastest in the heats Chiara Santiglia goes head-to-head with earlier favourite Jess Mead in Semi 5.

The winners of today’s Under 18’s finals were Harry Scurrah in The Stawell Times News Under 18 Boys Handicap 100m in a time of 10.656 and the SkillInvest Under 18 Girls Handicap 100m went to Emily Fiedler in 11.399 while Perry Watson took out the Series Final Under 14 Handicap in 12.041. 

On the circle track Tyler Hughes won the Victory Restricted Handicap 1600m in a time of 4:12.89, Olivia Attard won the Official Supporters Club Frontmarkers 1600m for the second year running in 3.59.78 and Michael Chimenton took out the WH Earle Handicap 550m in 1.10.04.

The prestigious Herb Hedemann 1600m saw a win to 18 year old Hamish Donohue.  He’ll have a short turnaround for the next challenge when he takes on Australia’s best in the Invitational 1000m during the Easter Monday live broadcast.  

Donahue will run off 15m, with newly crowned Australian 800m record holder Peter Bol off scratch, Olympic 800m semi finalist  Peyton Craig off 3m.  In form 17 year old Daniel Williams runs from 6m, with last year’s winner Riley Bryce off 8m. The unique 1000m distance will see current 1500m and 800m champions compete together for a share of $14,000 prize money, with $5,000 for the winner.  

The Invitational 1000m will take place at 1.25pm.

Easter Monday at the Powercor Stawell Gift is broadcast live and free on Seven from 11:30am – 2:30pm AEST. All races outside of the Seven broadcast will be livestreamed on 7Plus.

Tickets for Easter Monday are available from Ticketek or at the Box Office at the gate. 

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