In only his second outing in a professional handicap race, Victorian teenager Ryan Tarrant has claimed a dramatic victory in the 141st edition of the Stawell Gift.
Racing off a mark of 3.75 metres, the first-year University of Melbourne science student flew home in 12.23 seconds to win in a photo finish from Nicholas Antonino (12.24).
The 2016 Gift winner Isaac Dunmall was third and 2017 champion Matt Rizzo was fourth.
Tarrant’s only other outing 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.
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“At the beginning I was pretty worried, I was like ‘Rizzo was up so I’ve got a bit of work to do’,” said Tarrant.
“Then once I got to about 60 I was feeling pretty confident because I got into my stride and it was like ‘I’m there, just take it home’.
“The 120 metres is the happy medium … that just works out perfectly for me.”
Kieren Mundine, the first cousin of former rugby league and boxing great Anthony Mundine, slipped at the start and came home fifth.
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The women’s Gift was won by 16-year-old Bella Pasquali in 13.55 off a mark of 7.25 metres, with 2015 winner Grace O’Dwyer claiming second spot.
It was revenge of sorts for the Pasquali family, as Bella’s mother Anna had finished second to O’Dwyer eight years ago.
“Me and mum, 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’,” Bella 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.
“I changed up my training, went from 400 training to sprint training to focus on it and it all came together.”
Pasquali’s father Wally was fifth in the 1990 men’s Stawell Gift final won by Dean Capobianco.
Tarrant and Pasquali both pocketed $40,000 winners’ cheques.
Another precociously talented teen, Claudia Hollingsworth, saluted in the invitational women’s 1000m handicap.
Racing off a 10m handicap, 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 holder Catriona Bisset.
