GOUT GOUT WOWS THE CROWD, WHILE KENNEDY, RIZZO ALSO IMPRESS

Date: 19th April 2025

Fastest times in heats recorded by John Evans and Jasmine Rowe

Stawell, VIC, Saturday April 19, 2025: Day One of the Powercor Stawell Gift Carnival saw standout performances from some of the country’s top sprinters, with Gout Gout, Lachlan Kennedy, Bree Rizzo and defending champion Chloe Mannix-Power all progressing to Monday’s semi-finals.

Teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout thrilled the crowd in the second-last heat, running 12.306 seconds off a 1m handicap, while Lachlan Kennedy clocked the third-fastest time of 12.230 in the final heat of the day. Both athletes received huge receptions from one of the largest Saturday Central Park crowds seen in decades.

Bree Rizzo, off scratch, eased through her heat in 13.908, with a lot more left to offer, while Chloe Mannix-Power also cruised through her heat, winning in 13.948. Both remain in strong contention for the Powercor Women’s Gift.

However, it was the front markers who stole the show in terms of speed. Adelaide’s John Evans, off 9.75m, posted the fastest time across the 22 heats of the Powercor Stawell Gift, clocking 12.134 seconds to edge out pre-race favourite Paddy Martin in Heat 8.

“I definitely enjoyed today, the atmosphere was intense,” Evans said. “But Monday is a brand-new day. I’m a teacher, and the kids loved hearing I’d be racing Gout Gout. He created such a buzz at the track today.”

Jack Hale impressed from the back, winning his heat in 12.250, while Newcastle’s Jasper Thomas also caught the eye, clocking 12.215 off 6.5m in Heat 20. With Gout, Kennedy and Hale all chasing Evans on Monday, the stage is set for a dramatic final.

In the Powercor Women’s Gift, Jasmine Rowe  (13.737, off 11m) was just ahead of Jemma Stapleton (13.748, also off 11m) and Chiara Santiglia (13.858 off 7.75m).

Defending men’s champion Jack Lacey also progressed to Monday’s semis, winning his heat off a 6m handicap.

Victorian Athletic League President Matt McDonough said: “Both the men’s and women’s Gift heats were incredibly close, with a great mix of front and backmarkers shining. Bree Rizzo looked fantastic, I expect we’ll see her in the final.

“John Evans laid down the time to beat. Jasper Thomas worked hard, and both Jack Hale and Lachie Kennedy looked sharp, they definitely had more in the tank. It was Gout Gout’s first run on the track, and I think we’ll see an even better performance from him on Monday.”

In the 70m races, Ivor Metcalf recorded the fastest time in the Arthur Postle Handicap (off 4.25m), while local favourite Caitlyn Nicholson dominated her Change Our Game Women’s 70m heat, running more than 0.2 seconds faster than any other competitor off 12m.

The first sash of the day went to Mark Boxer in the Past Runners and Trainers Association Masters 1600m (4:10.49), with Benjamin Hayes winning the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame Backmarkers 1600m (4:00.19).

Other winners included Declyn Tanner in the Northern Grampians Shire Women’s 800m; William Hayes in the Hipworth Athletic Club U18 800m; and Oliver Irwin in the Powercor Little Athletics 800m.

Fashions at Central Park added glamour to the day, with Kelly Carty named Lady of the Day and husband Michael Carty Best Dressed Gent each receiving $1000. Karlie Owen won Best Hat for the $250 prize.

Easter Sunday promises family fun with the Easter Egg Hunt and MattyB Kids Clinic in the morning, plus an action-packed race program. Highlights include the Lorraine Donnan Women’s 400m heats at 11.19am and the prestigious Herb Hedemann 1600m Invitational at 4.38pm. The winner of “The Herb” will line up against Olympian Peter Bol in Monday’s Invitational 1000m.

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