2012 Ararat Gift 30 December 2012

Victorian Athletic League Inc. ABN 94 382 804 163 Main Grandstand, Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia Phone: (03) 8686 4545 Fax: (03) 8686 4540 Email: [email protected] Athletics House, 31 Aughtie Drive. Albert Park. Victoria, 3206. Website: www.val.org.au

Wrap Up

Ararat Highland Sports Society Ararat Gift 30/12/2012

The weather for Sunday’s Ararat gift was very warm with a slight head wind for the gift runners on a track that was turned out in perfect condition. The track was definitely as good a track as the athletes have encountered in recent years. The meeting provided some solid performances and gave the athletes an ideal lead into the Maryborough gift on New Year’s Day.

John Antonio Memorial Gold Rush 70 metres

Western Australian athlete Adam Moore (6.75m) started the day in fine fashion with a convincing win in his heat, semi and final of the sprint. Moore competed at the Bay Sheffield carnival earlier in the week but had the miss fortune to meet a rampaging Josh Ross in the Gift semi final. Moore was never seriously challenged in the Ararat series and he had a metre to spare in the final from Gus Carty-Cowling (4.25m) and Leigh Phelan (7m). Moore’s only previous visit to Victoria was last season for the Burramine/Euroa weekend. Adam is trained by Glen Ross who also made the final but finished sixth.

Tom McDonald Memorial 120m Ararat Gift.

Adam Moore decided to strike whilst he was in form and collected the $3000 first prize in the gift final to add to his sprint victory. Once again Adam looked the one to beat with easy heat and semi final wins before tackling the gift final, one of the oldest and more traditional gift events. In the final Adam defeated Jay Blake (14.5m) by a clear margin with his coach Glenn Ross (10.75) in third place. Marcus Cooper (11.5m) was trying for a third home town gift win, previously winning in 1996 and 1999. Marcus was able to run a creditable fourth, but was no match for the winner. Dylan Panizza (7.25m) was fined for a poor performance after his run in the second heat. Dylan had finished fourth in the Bay Sheffield final earlier in the week. Gus Carty-Cowling was another to visit the steward’s tent after his heat run.

Allan Blanchford Memorial 400 mts Handicap.

Fitzy’s run of the day on this occasion has to be taken out of the hands of Simon as his own run was surely the best effort for the day. Fitzpatrick (8m) won the 400 metres final, chasing hard with no contact on the field for the best part of the event. Simon gradually closed on the leaders and clocked 50.3 in a close finish. Justin Cohen (40m) had hit the lead before the home turn and looked the winner but was overtaken on the line to run a creditable second. William Little (22m) finished a handy third. Unfortunately James Vine (20m) was a late scratching from the final due to injury. Simon, from the Hipworth stable, made it back to back wins in the circle event after a similar run to win at Warragul.

Dr Ian Matthews’ Memorial 1600m Handicap.

Jonathon Glasson (190m) made one of his rare visits to Victoria to claim the distance event at Ararat in 4.21.2. Glasson, from New South Wales, moved into second place at the bell behind Glen Weston (350m) and looked to have control of the race from that point. Jonathon won comfortably by twenty metres with Leon Brooks (300m) running onto second place from Jonathon Woodman (165m). Glasson, staying in Victoria for the short term, heads to Maryborough to try his luck whilst his form is good. Stefan Catalano, twice a winner this season, was prominent early before tiring. Stefan, however still holds a slender lead in the distance series points award.

Canton Lead Women’s and Veteran’s 300mts Hcp.

The women’s and veteran’s 300 final was a one act affair with Gary Blake (67m) quickly passing Elissa Ward (69m) early in the race and setting up a handy lead before the home turn. Gary strolled to line the line to defeat Dennis King (54m) and Tarryn Fisher (48m) in 36.44. Gary, who has taken to his new diet with great gusto, is reaping the rewards with several excellent runs. Adding to Sunday’s win Gary started the season with a win at Meadowglen, followed by placings at Terang and Warragul. Gary’s new diet consists of a beer free routine, sorry that should read free beer routine. Blakey, coached by Benny Tancredi is having his best season and looks certain to win again.

Coiltek Women’s and Veterans’ 100mts Handicap

Leigh Phelan (5m) enjoying his first season didn’t take long to open his account with the Victorian Athletic League. Leigh was a place getter at Northcote earlier in the month and opened up at Ararat with a placing in the open 70 metres and then followed with a win in the women’s and veterans’ 100 metres in the time of 11.06. Leigh’s winning run came at his sixth run for the day and he defeated Gemma Grigg (14m) by a clear margin with Jeff Sargent (14.25m) in third place. Gemma was the winner of the women’s Bay Sheffield final earlier in the week. Richard Norris (13m) was unplaced in the final after suffering a one metre penalty for breaking.

NOTES**

Bay Sheffield quick wrap.

The South Australian Athletic League‘s marquee event, the Bay Sheffield, was once again held at Glenelg on December 27th & 28th. The carnival continues to be one of the major carnivals in Australia and attracts athletes from all of the country. The setting for the races, on Colley Reserve, is unsurpassed with the banked viewing area creating a velodrome effect. The major races were taken out by Western Australian Gemma Grigg and Victorian Olympian Josh Ross. The Victorian athletes captured a fair share of the spoils with wins to Martin Beer (women’s550 m), Tom Hecimovic ( vets 550m), Ryan Camille (120m restricted) and John Morris (vets 1600m). Also excellent seconds to Stephanie Mollica in the women’s Bay Sheffield Final and a narrow defeat for Michael Marantelli in the selected 1600 metres. Not forgetting Peter Spence igniting the Coopers tent with his spectacular heat win in the open 550 metres. Peter finished a luckless fourth in the final. Victorian athletes attending “the Bay” would have been astounded to see the Dad and Dave duo of Bill Sutton and his elderly uncle Graham Goldsworthy working for the SAAL. Apparently the SAAL found some remedial work for the hapless couple as “CORNER STEWARDS” which possibly enabled the SAAL to claim some sort of “development grant”. The couple were dressed in the bright red of the SAAL and stationed themselves on their respective corners. At various times people attempted to post letters, asked the pair to attend a fire and queried how the reindeers handled Christmas. It was great to see that both Bill and Graham made it safely back to Ararat on Sunday.

VRTA under 20’s series

The Victorian Runners and Trainers association has generously offered to sponsor this seasons under 20’s series. The VAL will be conducting five heats with the final being held at Stawell over the Easter weekend. The venues will be available on the VAL website.

St Bernard’s Gift 3rd March 2013

Unfortunately the St Bernard’s gift meeting will not be held this season but the VAL intend to run a carnival on that same date. The venue or program has not been decided as yet but will be available by late January. The VCCL 1600mts, Broo 400m and VRTA under 20’s event will definitely be conducted on this day. Also likely to be programmed will be an open 300 metres as well as a women’s and veterans’300 metres. These two events will offer prize money of $1500 each. The venue and time for the $5000 Don Furness memorial 70 metres has yet to be decided. Any person or business that wishes to sponsor an event on the day please contact the office or talk to Brian Marantelli.

Cricket Willow

This Saturday is the 8th “Run for the Willow” gift meeting. The oval held in a unique setting at Sheperd’s Bush is a great family day with plenty of kid’s races. The junior events cater for all ages and Cricket Willow have been able, after lengthy discussions, to get Lucy Polkinhorne to attend the event again and compete in the under six division. Lucy, the Black Caviar of the Toddy Waddle, is the fastest five year in the world and will be attempting another world record. Younger brother Hamish is also competing but is looking for longer distances. May pay to follow in future years. Another to watch out for is the “pocket rocket” Hugo Walsh. Hugo will not be taking any prisoners and has trained up with a recent trial win defeating Kevin Brittain and David Tinney. Unfortunately Gracie Mckerrow has succumbed to her father’s rigorous training schedule and is presently injured and will not compete. We wish Grace a speedy and healthy recovery.

Times 800metres ( 12 noon), 70 metres (12.20 ), VCCL Novice 1600m ( 12.48.), 100 women’s ( 1.08 ), 100 metre Gift ( 1.25), Vets 300m (2.46), 400m heats open (3.04), 1600m Open (4.10) Women’s 400m s/o final (4.00)

Albury/Wodonga Gift

Tom Burbidge wishes to advise athletes and supporters that anyone requiring accommodation at the Albury & Wodonga Gift meeting on January 27th can book at the Quest apartments. The apartments range from singles to three bed room apartments. Quest are a valued sponsor of the gift meeting and it is only through the generosity of such sponsors that the Victorian Athletic League can maintain a strong and competitive circuit. Further details are available on the Albury entry page. Call Quest Albury on 02 6058 0900 and mention The Albury Wodonga Gift to receive a special rate!

Avondale Heights Tea Gardens Gift

The Avondale Heights Sporting Club has announced changes to their carnival on February 2nd 2013. The changes are listed in the VAL website “press release” section. Major improvements centre around ground conditions and a generous increase in prize money. Please read the press release.

Ballarat Gift 9th & 10th February 2013

Ballarat Athletic Club will be conducting their Junior Dash for Cash at the Gift carnival in February. Entry open to children 5 to 15 years with events conducted over 100m, 400m and 800m. Details available on www.ballaratgift.com