In only his second outing as a pro runner, teenager Ryan Tarrant has left two former champions and Anthony Mundine's rugby-playing cousin in his wake to claim a dramatic victory in the 141st edition of the Stawell Gift.
The first-year Melbourne University science student flew home in 12.23 seconds off a 3.75m mark on Monday to win in a photo finish from Nicholas Antonino (12.24).
The 2016 Gift winner Isaac Dunmall was third, with 2017 champion Matt Rizzo fourth.
Kieren Mundine, who only entered the Gift on a whim to work on his speed before returning to Sydney to trial for a spot in the Australian rugby sevens squad, faltered at the start and finished fifth.
Tarrant's only other serious hit-out in the pro ranks was 18 months ago when he won the 2021 Burnie Gift.
He is also an accomplished track runner, having finished second in the under-20 200m final at the national titles in Brisbane last weekend.
"I started athletics about eight years ago," the 18-year-old said.
"I was playing rugby and the coach said, 'Why don't you give long jump a crack?'
"I did that for a while then swapped to sprints and I was like, 'I'm not half bad at this', so I swapped over."
Rizzo made the early running in the final, but Tarrant was strongest when it mattered, winning in a photo from Antonino, who threw himself across the line and ended up sprawled on the grass.
"Once I got to about 60 (metres) I was feeling pretty confident because I got into my stride and it was like, 'I'm there, just take it home'," Tarrant said.
"The 120 metres is the happy medium ... that just works out perfectly for me."
After looking very impressive in his semi-final win earlier on Monday, Mundine stumbled out of the blocks in the final.
"I think I was too nervous and I tripped over," said the first cousin of former Australian rugby league and boxing great Anthony Mundine.
"At least I made it to the finals.
"I don't really race - only back in school like six years ago.
"But my coach wanted me to race here - he thought coming down would help keep the speed or get a little bit faster."
The women's Gift was won by 16-year-old Bella Pasquali in 13.55 off a mark of 7.25m, with 2015 winner Grace O'Dwyer claiming second spot.
Eight years ago, Bella's mother Anna finished second to O'Dwyer in the same event.
"I literally said to her a few days ago, 'Mum, I'd probably be very upset but I'd have to laugh if I did come second to Grace. It would be very upsetting but it would be funny'," Pasquali said.
"When I won the Rye Gift earlier this year in January, I saw my time and my mark and I was like, 'I actually might have a chance at this'."
Pasquali's father Wally was fifth in the 1990 men's Stawell Gift final won by Dean Capobianco.
Tarrant and Pasquali pocketed $40,000 winners' cheques.
Another precociously-talented teen, Claudia Hollingsworth, won the invitational women's 1000m handicap.
Racing off a 10m mark, Hollingsworth - who will celebrate her 18th birthday on Wednesday - took down a field including Olympic 1500m finalists Jessica Hull and Linden Hall, and Australian 800m record holrder Catriona Bisset.
