The BURNIE GIFT
One of the longest-running, continuous sporting events in the history of World Sport.
1987
Victorian Frank Corsello wins Gift
Mainlanders Frank Corsello and Gary Theordore had never set eyes on each other before New Year’s Eve when, by chance, they found themselves discussing their relative prospects in the $10,000 Esanda Burnie Gift.
Corsello (Victoria) and Theodore (NSW), happened to be booked into the same hotel, happened to be engaged in the same heat of Burnie Gift – and, just after 3 p.m. yesterday, happened to fight out the finish of the blue ribbon sprint.
Corsello (6 ¾ metres) landed a confident stable plunge when he won the Gift by a half metre from Theodore (6 m) and Burnie sprinter Wayne Denny (9 ½ m).
Another Victorian, veteran cyclist Eric Turner, won the coveted Advocate Burnie Wheel in record time (see story Back Page).
Corsello and Theodore modestly assured one another on race eve that they didn’t rate their changes highly.
The Evan Armstrong stable obviously had a different view of their runners’ chances and paid $500 for Corsello in the Calcutta.
The 25-year-old’s win netted a cool $6750 winner’s cheque, trophy and sash, gold medallion valued at about $500 and $4720 from the Calcutta pool.
It provided trainer Evan Armstrong with his second successive Burnie Gift but more significantly his first since a split……. To page 2.
(Full carnival coverage – pages 25-28).
Wilson scores pro win
It took five years coming, but Mark Wilson’s first professional win lacked nothing in satisfaction for the local sprinter
Wilson ran both the fastest time in, the heats and the fastest time in the semi’s before cruising to a two metre win ahead of Darren Batt and Victorian Jim Commadeur.
‘I knew I had to do it some time,’ an elated Wilson said after the race. ‘I had hoped for the Gift, I missed it so I was determined to win the 200’. ‘I warmed up for the heats and didn’t feel too good, but once I got in the final, I knew I’d win’. ‘Nothing was going to stop me, nothing’.
Wilson (22) paid special tribute to his trainer Ted Eagling for his sub-20 second win. ‘He’s been great,’ he said.
A clerk with the Devonport council, Wilson was thrilled with his win. ‘It’s a really great feeling,’ he grinned.
Murphy breaks ice
Miles Murphy made up for his disappointing Gift run to record the first professional win of his career in the Homestead Motor Inns’ Australian 200m title.
Murphy, who seemed to miss the start in the Gift, made no such mistake to defeat a class field, including a determined Jim Thomson.
Thomson was chasing a clean sweep of Australian sprint titles after his double of the 70 m and 120 m sprints in the Bay Sheffield Gift in Adelaide last week.
But it was not to be as Murphy blasted home in a fast 20.6 seconds, well ahead of Hipworth and Thomson.
Murphy (19), the current world junior 400 m titleholder, was doubly impressed with his win. ‘I came back after the disappointment of the Gift to record a 20.6 so I’m pretty happy,’ he said.
‘I was down both mentally and physically and I was able to run and win.’ Murphy’s beginning to his seven-year career was unusual to say the least for someone so talented. ‘I began doing the long jump and the high jump,’ he grinned. ‘But someone convinced me to run a 400 and I went out and broke a record. ‘It’s just gone on from there.’
His maiden visit to Tasmania has been both profitable and enjoyable and Murphy is looking to return. ‘Today would be one of the highlights of my career,’ he said.
A special presentation was made to Thomson after the race.
1987 RESULTS
Ray Geary Mazda 200m:
Final : M. Wilson (Wynyard) 16m, 1: D.Batt (Burnie) 16m, 2: J.Commadeur (Victoria) 3: Time: 19.9.
Consolation Handicap 1600m:
P.Ablitt (Burnie) 115m, 1: M.Petterwood (Launceston) 120m, 2: T.Frawley (Victoria) 90m, 3: Time: 4.07.16.
Tasmanian 1600m:
Final: P.Radford (Glenorchy) 70m, 1: G.Simondson (Victoria) 95m, 2: S.Waker (Kingston) 90m, 3: Time: 3.54.93.
Bay View Invitation Derby 1000m:
Final: M.Rainsford (Victoria) 1: M.Grenda (Launceston) 2: D.Clark (George Town) 3: Time: 11.72 (last 200)
Dicky Donut C Grade scratch race (5000m):
D.Clark (Victoria) 1: S.Luttrell (Victoria) 2: R.Churchill (WA) 3: Time: 6.20.94
Plaza Traders B Grade scratch race (5000m):
R.Tilley (SA) 1: E.Turner (Victoria) 2: M.Osborne (Burnie) 3: Time: 6.23.4
BAC Centenary 14000m A Grade scratch race:
D.Clark (George Town) 1: S.Wallace (England) 2: E.Stephens (Canberra) 3: Time: 17.8.68
Maiden Handicap 70m:
Final: D.Leary (Burnie) 2m, 1: P.Snare (Wynyard) 3m, 2: T.Potter (Ridgley) 2m, 3: Time: 9.7.
Esanda Burnie Gift 120m:
Final: F.Corsello (Victoria) 6 ¼ m: 1: G.Theodore (NSW) 6m, 2: W.Denny (Burnie) 9 ½ m, 3: Others in finishing order: J.Thomson 2 ½ m, M.Murphy 4m, M.Gaffney 8 ¼ m. Time: 11.96.
BAC Invitation Backmarkers:
W.Johncock (Burnie) 3m, 1: I.Berwick 3 ½ m, 2: D.Batt 4m, 3: Time: 12.45
Fairford Encourage Handicap 1600m:
A.Seen (Hobart) 110m, 1: M.Pierce (Latrobe) 85m, 2: G.O’Byrne (Launceston) 110m, 3: Time: 4.09.2.
Bass Bakery Handicap 400m:
Final: J.Riggs (Burnie) 25m, 1: V.Ramondetta (Melbourne) 32m, 2: P.Snare (Wynyard) 28m, 3: Time: 4.59.4.
Advocate Burnie Wheel 3000m:
Final: E.Turner (Victoria) 170m, 1: M.Osborne (Burnie) 140m, 2: T.Watson (Devonport) 240m, 3: Time: 3.17.9.
Nissan Keirin 2000m:
Final: D.Clark (George Town) 1: M.Grenda (Launceston) 2: R.Sloane (Launceston) 3: Time: 11.56 (last 200m)
Besser Brick Miss and Out 3000m:
D.Clark (George Town) 1: M.Rainsford (Victoria) 2: S.Wallace (England) 3: Time: 12.14
Club Hotel E Grade scratch race (5000m):
I.Hall (Burnie) 1: D.Reader (Launceston) 2: G.Stewart (Victoria) 3: Time: 6.57.2.
Sacha’s D Grade scratch race (5000m):
S.Griffiths (Victoria) 1: T.Watson (Devonport) 2: N.Veale (Launceston) 3: Time: 6.38.5.
1988
Vic. Gift Winner Anthony Grima– by Danny Clark
But victor says the best man did not win
Anthony Grima is, above everything else, a modest champion.
The West Brunswick carpenter won yesterday’s $10,000 Esanda Burnie Gift but immediately surrendered his new found fame to a sprinter who did not even compete in the final.
Grima (25), as with everybody else at West Park, believed the gift glory belonged to New South Welshman Robert Ballard.
Ballard, was disqualified for breaking the tape with his hands after breezing through, the second semi-final of yesterday’s drama-packed gift. ‘I don’t think the best runner won’, Grima said sincerely. ‘That’s the luck of the draw, But Ballard beat me easily in our heat but had plenty up his backmarker John Dinan (2m).
Burnie’s Jim Thompson, fourth in last year’s final, again finished on the heals of the placegetters.
Grima gave Victorian trainer Evan Armstrong his third successive Burnie Gift winner.
Thompson prepared Mark Hipworth (1986) and Frank Corsello (1987).
And yesterday Grima ran down the track before the start of the Gift clutching the Armstrong good luck charms - the starting bullet which fired Armstrong to victory in the 1977 Bendigo Gift and the bullet which started the final for Corsello last year.
Grima has been running professionally for six years and joined the Armstrng stable last season.
He went into the Burnie Gift a winner of the Stawell 100 metres (1985), Stawell 400 metres (1986) and Bendigo 400 metres (1986).
Grima beat Ballard at Stawell but again reflected: ‘He’s a much superior runner.’ Grima stumbled slightly at the start at yesterday’s final but quickly regained composure. ‘Evan (Armstrong) has always told me to concentrate on something at the end of the line. ‘I just looked at the crowd at the end. I was confident about 20 metres out but always worried somebody was going to get me.’
Grima, the Armstrong stable elect was sold for $750 in Thursday night’s Calcutta, had been working toward Burnie since joining the Armstrong stable. He had been mentioned as a possible Stawell Gift prospect but felt he had been ‘over-rated a bit’. I gave myself a chance in this, but I wasn’t so sure when Ballard brought a considerable amount in the Calcutta. When he (Ballard) was disqualified I went from feeling a bit tired to being a bit livelier.’
The Burnie Gift provided its disappointments with Latrobe and Devonport Gift winner Mark Wilson run out in his heat and Calcutta favourite Mark Garner being beaten in the semi-finals.
Carnival reports – pages 32, 34, 35 and 36.
1988 – Chopping Plus Results
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap
G.Honey (Vic.) 1: C.Russell (Vic.) 2: P.Czerkiewicz (Vic.) 3:
Esanda Burnie Gift
A.Grima (Vic.) 1: J.Evans (Vic.) 2: J.Dinan (Vic.) 3: Time: 12.60.
Homestead Motor Inns Backmarkers’ Invitation Sprint:
R.Ballard (NSW) 1: M.Webster (Vic.) 2: W.Peters (Qld) 3: Time: 12.86
Bass Bakery 400m Handicap:
W.Denny (Burnie) 30m, 1: R.Walker (Railton) 33m, 2: B.Yaxley (Qld) 34m, 3: Time: 45.56
Burnie Consolation Handicap
B.Nutting (Burnie) 90m, 1: G.Ritson (Launceston) 125m, 2: M.Higinson (Devonport) 3:
Time: 4.6.51.
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap
D.Gibbon (Hobart) 60m, 1: M.Boutcher (Vic.) 35m, 2: S.Walker (Hobart) 80m, 3: Time: 4.02.93.
Fairford Encourage Handicap
C.Oliver (Burnie) 80m, 1: A.Speers (Launceston) 80m, 2: G.Spenser (Launceston) 85m, 3: Time: 4.15.4
Ray Geary Mazda Handicap
J.Commadeur (Vic.) 1: T.Bennett (Hobart) 2: C.Langley (Launceston) 3: Time: 20.42.
1989
Home-Town Hero Riggs Blitzes Gift rivals
It took Burnie runner Jon Riggs only 11.8 seconds to become a home-town hero at the Burnie New Year’s Day Carnival yesterday before a capacity crowd of 12,855.
Riggs ended the domination of the fleet-footed mainland runners by blitzing the field to take out the coveted $15,000 Burnie Gift. And in the Wheel, Victorian Max Rainsford scored one of the easiest wins in recent years.
In his dash to the tape, Riggs knocked off the TAB favourite Shane Nayler of Victoria, who also brought top dollar in the Calcutta.
Riggs went into the record books as the winner of the first Burnie Gift on which the TAB was fielded – paying a dividend of $2.10 for a 50c unit. He ran a perfect race from the 7 ¾ m mark. A false start, after Patrick Bakes (8m) broke, failed to unsettle Riggs.
He blasted out of his blocks, spurred on by a roaring parochial crowd, to convincingly win the big sprint from Victorian Jim Commadeur and Naylor. Wayne Denny, Patrick Bakes and Michael Gaffney followed.
Riggs and his coach, Ted Eagling of Penguin, were confident. ‘At the start I thought I would win it,’ Riggs said. ‘I caught the front guys early. ‘I felt them come up to my shoulder at about the 15-metre mark but that was it.’
Riggs kicked at the at the 15-metre mark and never looked like missing out on Australia’s second-most prestigious footrace.’ ‘I wasn’t worried about Naylor. I just concentrated on chasing the guys in front of me.’ Eagling said he told Riggs two weeks ago he was going to win the Gift. But what was Eagling’s secret for getting the best out of Riggs.
1989 Results
Dartford Encourage Handicap 1600m
M. Cope (Launceston) 90 m, 1: Dean (Legana) 120.2m, 2: L. Gee (Penguin) 80.3m, 3:
Esanda Burnie Gift
J. Riggs (Burnie) 7 ¾, 1: J. Commadeur (Victoria) 6m, 1:, S. Naylor (Victoria) 1.3m, 3:
Time: 11.8
BAC Hackmarkers Invitation Spring 120m: R. Ballard (Victoria) 1:, A. Douglas (Victoria) 2:, M. Webster (Victoria) 3: Time 11.99
Coca-Cola Maiden Handicap
-
Walters (W.A.) 4 ¾ m, 1: D.Krushka (Victoria) 4m, 2: C. Russell (Victoria) 3m, 3: Time: 9.28
1990 MISSING story
1990 Results
Maiden Handicap 90m
S.Hearn (W.A.) 1m, 1: M.Potter (Burnie) 4 ½ m, 2: S.Emonson (Vic.) 2 ½ m, 3: Time: 9.99 seconds.
Esanda $15,000 Burnie Gift 120m final
R.Kirsopp (Vic.) 4m, 1: S.Smith (Vic.) 4 ½ m, 2: R.Ballard (NSW) 2 ½ m, 3: S.Naylor (Vic.) ?m, 4: E.Vandenburg (Hobart) 5 ½ m, 5: K.Jordan (Launceston) 7 ¾ m 6: Time: 12.33.
Encourage 1600m Handicap
G.Oldfield (Glenorchy) ?m, 1: L.Dean (Geeveston) 105m, 2: S.Waldron (Launceston) 95m, 3: Time: 4.10.5.
Backmarkers Invitation Sprint 120m
A.Douglas (Melbourne) scr.1: J.Riggs (Burnie) 2m, 2: J.Thomson (Somerset) 1m, 3: Time 12.94.
1991
Historic gift for WA star
First win off back mark!
West Australian Dean Capobianco yesterday became the first man to win the $15,000 Advocate Burnie Gift from scratch – and he ran a time fast enough to reach an Olympic final.
Capobianco’s 11.9 second win, 11. Metres inside even time, was the fastest time run by a scratchman in Tasmania and perhaps in Australia. Creating more history the 20-year-old’s Matt Barber stablemates, Peter O’Dwyer and Ben Collins, filled second and third place respectively – the first time stablemates had filled all three major places in the Gift.
In yet another first, as Barber quietly proclaimed after the race, Capobianco has the triple crown of Australia’s 120 m Gifts – all won within nine months. He became the youngest winner of the Stawell Gift last Easter, and last week won the Bay Sheffield in Adelaide.
Capobianco’s win, from a Burnie Gift field experts agreed was the best ever, stunned the crowd of 11,983 as did Stephen Pate’s gutsy Wheel win over Tasmanian hero Danny Clark.
The Gift winner of 1940, Ray Patmore, who presented the trophy to the West Australian, said it was without a doubt the best line-up of runners he had ever seen.
Lining up with Capobianco on scratch was Victorian Olympic representative Shane Naylor, who was re-handicapped after winning the Tasmanian Government Gift at Devonport on Friday night. It was the first time two scratchmen had even entered the Burnie Gift, let alone reached the final.
‘I raced at the Bay last week and thought the field there was the classiest I’d ever seen till today.’ Capobianco said. He said he had to run at 110 p.c. to overcome the other runners.
New South Welshman Robert Ballard and local runner Tim Potter made up the field, which TAL handicapper Mike McKenna said contained the greatest depth of backmarkers in the Gift’s history.
Potter ran from 8 ½ metres with Collins the closest on 3 ½ m. O’Dwyer ran from 3 ¾ m with Ballard on 2 ½ m.
Despite Naylor looking the stronger of the two scratchmen initially with Capobianco behind at about the 40-metre mark, the West Australian was pleased with his start.
1991 results
The Advocate Burnie Gift:
D, Capobianco 1: P. O’Dwyer 2: B. Collins 3:
Eyebiz Women’s 90m Handicap:
G. Riley 1: S. Skeggs 2: M. Gilbert 3: Time 10.4
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap:
M. Potter 1: P. Czerkewicz 2: M. Godfrey 3:
Fairford Encourage Handicap:
M. Matthews 1: C. McKerrow 2: J. James (Jun), Time: 4:01.06
Bass Bakery 400m Handicap:
J. Chugg 1: W. Denny 2: S. Kingston 3: Time: 46.43.
Burnie Consolation Handicap:
W.Byron 1: M. Hipworth 2: L. Saltmarsh 3: Time: 4:08.09
Roberts Limited Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
M. Downes 1: J. James 2: G. Caulfield 3: Time: 4:02.67.
PHOTO: West Australian Dean Capobianco (right) winning yesterday’s
Advocate Burnie Gift from stable-mates Peter O’Dwyer (third left)
and Ben Collins (second left). INSET: Capobianco is presented his
cheque for $9620 by Mr Geoff Harris, the chairman of directors of
The Advocate’s proprietors, Harris and Co. Ltd.
1992
Ireland relegates Stawell Champ to Second
Vic. Sprinter Todd Ireland's Biggest Success
MIND GAMES and a refusal to bow to injury gave Victorian sprinter Todd Ireland the biggest success of his career in yesterday’s $15,000 Advocate Burnie Gift at West Park.
A light workout two days ago convinced him that he could complete three hard runs yesterday. ‘To some extent I was just happy to make it through,’ Ireland said. ‘I was worried after every run today that it would tighten up. But when I made the final, I knew I had to go for broke and if I broke down I broke down.’
Ireland (4 m) was forced to wait a tense five minutes before the judges finally declared him the winner from Brimacombe (1 m) and Burnie front-marker. Tim Potter (8.5 m), who was fourth last year.
1992 results
The Advocate Burnie Gift:
T. Ireland (Victoria) 4m, 1: S. Brimacombe (Victoria) 1m, 2: T. Potter (Burnie) 8 ½ m, 3: Time: 11.74.
Tom Moore Handicap:
M. Marriott (Victoria) 3m, 1: J. Braslin (Burnie) 3, 2: D. Symons (Launceston) 4m, 3: Time 9.45.
100m Invitation Backmarker’s Sprint:
-
Douglas (Victoria) 5m, 1: J. Gillich (W.A.) 2: J. Streit (Sandy Bay) 3: Time: 12.05.
Fairford Encourage Handicap:
-
Flanagan (George Town) 140m, 1: J. Plapp (Devonport) 120, 2: D. Brown (Hobart) 3: Time: 4:14.1.
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
M. Jackson (Launceston) 90m, 1: C. McKerrow (Victoria) 115m, 2: K. Gillard (NSW) 90m, 3:
Time: 3.55.9.
Bass Bakery 400m:
-
Kenshole (Victoria) 16m, 1: J. Crieghton (Hobart) 28m, 2: T. Cherry (Victoria) 10m, 3:
Time: 45.82.
Boags Light 200m:
M. Saltmarsh (Burnie) 20m, 1: J. Streit (Hobart) 9m, 2: P. Williams (W.A.) 18m, 3: Time: 20.37.
MAIN PHOTO: The finish of The Advocate Burnie Gift for 1992 shows runners (from left) Shane Naylor, Stephen Brimacombe (second), Todd Ireland (first, Ean Vandenberg, Shane Hearn and Tim Potter (third).
SMALL PHOTO: The moments are over as Burnie Gift winner Todd Ireland is congratulated by his mother, Ros, after the judges’ announcement.
1993
Bullet Bresnehan!
But where to find a drink to celebrate
THE BIGGEST hurdle Hobart’s Simon Bresnehan had after winning the $15,000 Advocate Burnie Gift yesterday was finding a cold beer in a can or stubbie.
With an official hot on the hammer to lead him to the drug testing area without letting him out of sight, Bresnehan headed to the Burnie Hawks clubrooms to celebrate with stablemates – only to find the Hawks were out of packaged beer and his ‘minder’ would not allow him to have a beer off the tap.
‘What a way to celebrate,’ Bresnehan said as he took the top off a mineral water. But there was no question of the champagne flowing after his test with the 18-year-old winning one of the best Burnie Gifts on record.
Victorian ace Stephen Pate equalled the historic performance of the great Danny Clark when he won his third Burnie Wheel yesterday. Pate (28) displayed his awesome power on the bike, winning the 3000 m final in a race record time of 3.16.8.
Bresnehan had won the Ulverstone Gift and Oval Spring leading up to Burnie and had made his statement.
Bresnehan (5 ¾ m) out-gunned two of the best backed runners in the race Steve Brimacombe (scr.) and Shane Hearn (5 ¾ m) – leaving Burnie Gift favourite Kerry McConnon and local hopes Tim Potter and Wayne Denny to fight out the minor end of the purse.
‘There were some big heads going around – I went to go chopping heads down, I can’t remember the race, it just all came together’. ‘I got going at the end but I had a good lead-out and just picked off those in front of me one by one.’
Bresnehan said he had considered giving up running after being disqualified after winning the 1990 Maiden Hcp at Burnie because of breaking the tape with his hands. He was convinced to stay in the game by trainer Ray Quarrell and provided him with his first Burnie Gift winner yesterday.
Bresnehan has already visited Stawell but was denied a start in the Novice Hcp because officials considered him too good.
1993 results
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap:
D. Parker (Burnie) 3.4m, 1: D. Symons (Launceston) 4.25m, 2: N. Roy (Devon Hills) 3m, 3: Time: 9.50.
The Advocate Burnie Gift:
S. Bresnehan (Orford) 5.75m, 1: S. Brimacombe (Victoria) scr. 2: S. Hearn (W.A,) 5.75m, 3: Time: 12.13.
Streets Ice Cream 120m Backmarkers Invitation Spring:
S. Naylor (Victoria) scr. 1: A. Saunders (Victoria) 3m, 2: T. Bennett (Ranelagh) 3m, 3: Time 12.5.
Fairford Encourage Handicap:
Ms M. Murray (Devonport) 200m, 1: S. Taylor (Devenport) 95m, 2: D. Hopkins (Victoria) 95m, 3:
Time: 4:05.6.
Eyebiz Ladies 400m Handicap:
T. Floyd (Devonport) 25m, 1: W. McGee (Westbury) 34m, 2: M. Walker 12m, 3: Time 55.6.
Bass Bakery 400m Handicap:
M. Foster (Devonport) 29m, 1: J. White (Hobart) 15m, 2: T. Hine (Riana( 23m, 3: Time: 46.52.
Esanda Finance Tasmanian Handicap 1600m:
S. Cogan (Victoria) 100m, 1: M. Hegarty (Victoria) 85m, 2: M. Murray (Devonport) 110m, 3:
Time: 4:02.94.
Talaya P.T. Sports 200m Handicap:
J. Streit (Hobart) 5m, 1: K. McConnen (Victoria) 10m, 2: I. Vandenberg (Hobart) 10m, 3: Time 20.79.
MAIN PHOTO: Simon Bresnehan (third left) grabs victory in The Advocate Burnie Gift (from left) from Stephen Brimacombe (second), Shane Hearn (third), Kerry McConnon (fourth), Tim Potter (fifth) and Wayne Denney.
1994
Burnie Gift Win Eases Hearn’s Doubts
SHANE HEARN’S biggest gamble of his life was vindicated on Saturday when the West Australian sprinted to victory in the Advocate $15,000 Burnie Gift (120 m).
The part-Aboriginal threw in a budding football career two years ago to concentrate on track running, and has been dogged by doubts ever since.
However, those doubts were laid to rest when Hearn, running off 5 ½ m. stormed to the finish line just after 3 pm on Saturday in front of about 7000 people, netting $9640 in the best race of his career.
‘To tell you the truth 1993 was my shakiest year of all,’ Hearn (23) said after the victory. ‘I always thought I could become a good runner, but like anything you want you have to work your heart out for it – I did that and I’ve been rewarded today.’
Hearn who dedicated the race to his later brother, Michael, who died last year, sprinted with tenacity in his heats and semi and always loomed as a big threat for the final.
He appeared to have the race won in the final by the halfway mark but had to fight off a strong challenge from scratchman Shane Naylor, who finished a close second. ‘With 20 m left to run I thought I had it won, but it was a credit to Naylor to get that close,’ Hearn said.
Naylor’s fellow Victorian Shane McKenzie (2 ¾ m) finished third, with brilliant scratchman Dean Capobianco fourth.
Tasmanian Simon Bresnehan (last year’s winner) and Kerry McConnon were the other Gift finalists.
Hearn’s coach Matt Barber described his charge’s winning run, in 12.35 seconds, as his best ever. ‘It was great stuff – I thought he had to settle for third,’ Barber said.
Two near misses in 1992 (fourth) and 1993 (third) was only part of the inspiration Hearn needed to win the race.
In 1992 he decided to give away football after playing 15 senior games with East Perth in the WAFL, and up till Saturday he was still unsure if he had made a mistake.
1994 results
Day running results:
The Advocate Burnie Gift 120m:
S. Hearn (W.A.) 5 ½ m, 1: S. Naylor (Victoria) scr. 2: S. McKenzie (Victoria) 2 ¾ m, 3: Other finalists: D. Capobianco (W.A.) scr. S. Bresnehan (Hobart) 3m, K. McConnon (Victoria) 6.5m. Time: 12.35.
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap 9m:
-
Boon (Devonport) 3m, 1: M. Reed (Victoria) 2m, 2: D Thomas (Victoria) 2 ½ m, 3: Other
finalists: S. Beswick, J. Braslin, B. Budgeon. Time: 9.8.
Peters Ice Cream – All foods BAC Backmarkers Invitation Spring 120m.
S. Brimacombe (Victoria) scr. 1: A. Douglas (Victoria) 2m, 2: J. Richardson (Victoria) 2m, 3: Other finalists: A. McManus, T. Ireland, T. Goldie, T. Bennett. Time: 12.9.
Fairfield Encourage Handicap 1600m:
N. Maloney (Burnie) 115m, 1: M. Bailey (Legana) 65m, 2: R. Patterson (Victoria) 65m, 3: Time: 4:.11.65
Night running results:
Bass Bakery Handicap 400m:
M. Walker (Launceston) 35m, 1: T. Potter (Burnie) 27m, 2: G. Buckingham (Del.) 36m, 3: Other finalists: D. Edmunds, B. Budgeon, D. Lahey, D. Mulcastes, W. Denny, P. Soare, D. Nettleton, M. Potter. Time: 46.30.
Eyebiz Ladies 400m Handicap:
J. Goodwin (Hillwood) 36m, 1: A. Coombe (Hobart) 37m, 2: T. Whitby (Launceston) 40m, 3: Other finalists: M. Walker, T. Floyd, K. Marshall, K. Huxtable, C. Miller, S. Geale. Time: 55.01.
Talaya P.T. Sports 200m Handicap:
T. Bennett (Ranelagh) 4m, 1: D. Stolp (Wynyard) 10m, 2: D. Downie (South Riana) 13m, 3:. Other finalists: A. Douglas, S. Gallagher, T. Hine. Time 21:00.
Esanda Finance Tasmanian Handicap 1600m:
R. Gillard (Launceston) 85m, 1: N. Cope (NSW) 35m, 2: G. Oldfield (Glenorchy) 90m, 3: Time: 4:02.3.
PHOTO: I’VE WON IT: Shane Hearn (left) is the first to break the tape in The Advocate Burnie Gift from scratchman Shane Naylor (white top).
1995
1995 first women’s Gift
Slupecki blitzes field
King of the track pockets $9640 at Gift
TWENTY-THREE year old former Polish sprinter Paul Slupecki is the newly crowned king of Tasmanian running after a stunning victory in yesterday’s $15,000 The Advocate Burnie Gift.
Slupecki (23) dazzled an all class field in wind affected conditions to win the $9640 first prize in a time of 12.626 seconds.
Slupecki migrated to Australia 12 years ago and now resides in East Bentleigh, Victoria where he works as a microbiologist. Slupecki was the outmarker off an 8 m handicap.
Second was the favourite Tim Goldie, followed by Jason Richardson, Vince Cavallo, Michael Bourke and Andrew Douglas.
All six finalists were Victorian based and only 11 of the 36 semi-final runners were Tasmanians.
The rich CUB Burnie Wheelrace went to ace Victorian scratchman Stephen Pate, who now has turned the event into his own private property with four titles.
Formerly the champion in 1988, 1991 and 1993, Pate rated his 1994-95 Tasmanian carnival series as even better than 1992-93 when he absolutely dominated proceedings.
In the chopping arena, David Foster won his first $1500 Thousands Chop, sponsored – appropriately enough – by his employer North Forest Products.
Yesterday’s New Year’s Day carnival crowd of more than 7000 at West Park was slightly down on previous years.
1995 results
The Advocate $15,000 Burnie Gift 120m:
P. Slupecki (Victoria) 8m, 1: T. Goldie (Victoria) 4.5m, 2: J. Richardson (Victoria) 3.25m, 3: V. Cavallo (Victoria) 7.25m, 4: Other finalists: A. Douglas (Victoria) 4m, M. Bourke (Victoria) 6.25m.Time: 12.63.
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap 90m
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Saltmarsh (3m) 1: D. Symons (4.5m) 2: S. Turale (3m) 3: Other finalists J. Deegan, C. McCarthy,
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Page. Time: 10.1
Mike Sage Car Sales Ladies 120m Handicap:
D.Collins (6m) 1: L. Naylor (scr) 2: K. Marshall (8m) 3: Other finalists: A. Dick, E. Marshall, A. Lodge. Time: 14.86.
Peters Ice Cream Allfoods 120 BAC Backmarkers Invitation Sprint:
P.Crane (2m), 1: R.Witnish (1.5m) 2: S. Brimacombe (scr) 3: Other finalists: S. Hearn, G. McCarthy, S.Bresnehan, T. Ireland. Time 12.97
Fairford Encourage Handicap 1600m:
S.Fyfe (Evandale) 115m 1: D. Wells (Devonport) 100m, 2: M.Potter (Burnie) 120, 3: Time 4:15.90
Mike Sage Car Sales Ladies 400m Handicap:
C.Miller (Hillwood) 39m, 1: L.Saint-John (Penguin) 15m, 2: Michelle Walker (Launceston) 33m, 3: Time: 53.24.
Bass Bakery Men’s 400m Handicap:
R.Innes (Devonport) 33m, 1: M.Button (Lenah Valley) 27m, 2: D.Nettleton (Victoria) 34m, 3: Time 46.79.
Premier Motors Mazda Tasmanian Handicap 1600m:
M.Bailey (Legana) 95m, 1: J.White (Hobart) 55m, 2: L.Kearney (NSW) 95m, 3: Time: 4:01.07.
McDonalds Big M 200m Handicap:
T.Goldie (Victoria) 7m, 1: M.Bourke (Victoria) 10m, 2: C.McCarthy (Burnie) 8m, 3: Time: 20.42.
PHOTO: WELL DONE! The Advocate $15,000 Burnie Gift winner Paul Slupecki receives congratulations from jubilant supports after the race.
1996
Gift win ‘unbelievable’ for David Downie
THE DREAM run of the Wayne Denny Burnie-based stable in the Coastal Carnivals series came to an unbeatable climax at the Burnie Carnival at West Park yesterday.
Not only did the Denny-trained David Downie take out the $15,000 Burnie Gift (120 m), but his stablemates Tim Hine and Rohan Twining also made the final.
It was last night believed that Denny was the first Tasmanian trainer to have three of his runners qualify for the prestigious final – certainly in recent history.
Denny’s feat is made even more amazing considering it is only his first full season as a trainer after giving up running competitively last season.
Yesterday’s Burnie Gift will go down as one of the most memorable in recent history, with the 22-year-old Downie beating a quality field to claim his hometown gift.
‘This is unbelievable …. I can’t believe I’ve just won a Burnie Gift,’ Downie said after the win, which saw him survive a controversial protest from second-placed West Australian Paul Edmiston.
‘I’ve got to thank Wayne Denny for this, he’s the best trainer in Tasmania ….. probably Australia.
‘Having Tim and Roham in the final with me was a big help, you know they are there and you get their support. ‘I used to come to this carnival and watch the race as a kid, but I never thought I would be running in one.’
The Denny stable has won nearly every sprint race there was to be had this season.
Hine, who finished fourth in yesterday’s final, won the Latrobe and Rosebery gifts, the 200 m handicap at Devonport – in an amazing time of 19.95 – as well as wins in the 70 m at Ulverstone and the 100 m in the PCCT meet in Burnie.
Twining , a teenager in only his second year of running, won the Ulverstone Gift.
Downie has added the $9640 winner’s cheque to wins in the Rosebery 200 m, Latrobe 70 m, the Longford 120 m and the Devonport (December 2) 100 m.
All three runners outed more favoured mainland runners in their semi-finals, with only each winner of the six semis making it through to the final.
In the second semi, Hine outed last year’s winner Paul Slupecki and fellow Victoria Peter Crane, who ran a great heat.
Another sensational run from Twining saw experienced scratchman Shane Naylor fail to qualify.
Downie was against last year’s Stawell Gift winner Glenn Crawford in his semi. Others to make the final included Victoria backmarker Jason Richardson, Edmiston and Queenslander Stuart Uhlmann, who finished third in the final.
Starting as the outmark off 8.75 m in the final, Downie made a flying start – later the focus of Edmiston’s appeal – and was well clear at the finish line.
The crowd, which had endured the wet conditions of the day were vocal in getting behind Downie after the win.
Downie, who had been training especially for the gift since April, said the wet conditions had suited him and thanked Twining and Hine. ‘It’s been great having those two alongside me all year. Really, we all run at about the same level and are pretty competitive at training.
‘Now I might concentrate on the amateurs and 400 m because that’s more my race; I’ll try and make the State relay team for the nationals. ‘I can’t believe how well we (the Denny stable) have gone this year, we’ve won 10 or 11 races this year and four trifectas.’
Denny was quick to ensure his runners basked in the glory yesterday, but his record this season can not be denied. ‘All the credit must go to the runners, they do the work, I just set up the training programmers,’ Denny said.
The Denny stable has been careful not to celebrate any of it’s wins yet this season, but were celebrating in fine style late last night.
1996 results
Foster’s Light Ice Burnie Gift 120m:
D.Downie 8.75m, 1: P. Edmiston 5.5m 2: S.Uhlmann 5m, 3: Other finalists: J.Richardson, T.Hine, R.Twining. Time: 11.91.
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap 90m:
C.McCarthy 3.75m, 1: D.Ebdon 4.5m, 2: D.Thomas 1m, 3: Other finalists: D.Goodwin, J.Pennington, J.Sutcliffe. Time: 9.85.
Peters Ice Cream – Allfood Backmarkers Invitation 120m:
P.Crane 1: S.Naylor 2: S.Hearn 3: Time 12.35
Lactos Ladies 120m Handicap:
L.Hewitt scr. 1: J.Poke 10.5m 2: C.Miller 4.25m, 3: Time 14.09.
Men’s Duathlon:
N.Jackson 1: N. Richardson 2: M.Matthews 3: Time: 6:45.89.
Fairford Encourage Handicap 1600m:
John Hoare 1: Jace Finearty 2:, Ben Hoare 3: Time: 4:17.56.
Ryan Mining Company Women’s 400m Handicap:
S.Skeggs 2: C.Walsh 3: Other finalists: C.Freeman, L. Naylor L. St. John, A.Fearney, K.Marshall, R. Richardson.
Bass Bakery 400m Handicap:
T.Potter 1: S.Wilson 2: D. Nankervis 3: Other finalists: D. Ebdon, T. Atkins, J. Sutcliffe. Time 47.12.
Mike Sage Car Sales 4x 100m Relay:
TIS: (N.Armouwe, G.McCarthy, E.Bell, G.Martin, I.B. Roe stable 2: M.Lewandowski stable 3: Time 43.50
Premier Motors Mazda Tasmanian Handicap 1600m:
K.Gillard 1: D.Wells 2: L.Kearney 3: Time 4:05.11.
4 x 400m Relay:
TIS (F.Amouche, G.McCarthy, A.Cooper, T.Cawthorne) 1: M.Pace stable 2: M.Gunson stable 3: Time:3:35.25.
McDonalds Big M 200m Handicap:
D.Stolp 1: P.Crane 2: C.Doyle 3: Other finalists: D.Sinfield, S.Turale, B.Budgeon.
1997
Paul Pearce Confirms World Rating with Gift Win!
Former world junior sprint champion Paul Pearce confirmed his status as favourite for the Fosters Light Ice Burnie Gift when he won in 12.46 seconds.
Pearce who attracted the top bid of $575 at Tuesday night’s Calcutta outgunned former winner Simon Bresnehan of Hobart and another former Burnie Gift champion, Shane Hearn, of Western Australia.
Wynyard sprinter Emma Marshall was without doubt the star female of the carnival, adding the Lactos Burnie Women’s Gift to her 120m success at Latrobe and her 200 m victory at Devonport.
Marshall remained undaunted at the prospect of running against the Queen of Australian Athletics, Cathy Freeman.
Headwind aided Gift win – by Julien O’Brien
The drama had built all day..... Victorian 19-year-old sensation Paul Pearce sprinting to victory in the $15,000 Fosters Light Ice Burnie Gift was just the finale. With one of the highest quality fields to run the gift for many years, upsets were assured and started in the heats when Rohan Robinson running from 4.75m, was eliminated by Burnie’s Milton Saltmarsh and NSW’s Kyle Mervin. Latrobe Gift winner David Thom, reigning champion David Downie, Olympic hurdler Kyle Vander-Kuyp, Devonport Gift winner Craig McCarthy, Burnie hope Darren Rawlings, last year’s runner-up Paul Edminston, and Devonport’s Brett Budgeon all followed in the semis.
The tragic story was Budgeon, who was a local hope off 8.25m but broke in the semi and was dragged a metre before being pipped by Victorian’s Peter Crane. However, most knew that it was Pearce they needed to win the $9640 first prize.
The Australian 200m representative had run the fastest heat and semi time and followed that with the fastest time of the day as he ran over the top field in the time of 12.46 seconds. ‘This is sensational, it’s great to win the race, because it’s only the second time I’ve been here,’ Pearce said. ‘I just went out hard because I knew the backmarkers would be coming....... I’ve been waiting for two years for a sash like this. I prefer the 200m distance and the headwind here helped because it sort of made it like a 150m race.’
The 1993 Burnie Gift winner and Hobart sprinter Simon Bresnehan, who was in an unfamiliar outside lane ran second, while 1994 Burnie Gift winner Shane Hearne finished third.
Pearce who is under the guidance of Barry McCleod, made several punters very happy including former footballer Steve Beaumont who bought Pearce for $575 in the Calcutta. One lucky punter got on Pearce when he was 16-1 with Tassie sport yesterday morning and minutes before the race was cut to 2-1 on favourite.
A Stawell finalist in 1995, Pearce finished fifth over 200m at the junior world titles – just 0.02 seconds off a bronze medal for the 4x100m relay at the same event. He is now aiming to represent Australian in the 200m. ‘It’s been a pretty hectic week because I raced in the Bay Sheffield Gift at the weekend and Devonport as well,’ he said. ‘I was happy with my runs at Devonport, but I think a lot of other people were disappointed.’ Pearce has come a long way from the 16-year-old who made the Stawell final, and should go a lot further yet.
The other finalists were Peter Crane, Kyle Mervin and Milton Saltmarsh.
Pearce King - by Rod Morris
Former world junior spring champion Paul Pearce had little form to boast, but still started favourite in yesterday’s Fosters Light Ice Burnie Gift. Pearce, one of the most talented young runners in Australia produced the goods in the 120m final when he defeated past Burnie Gift champions Simon Bresnehan (1993) and Shane Hearne (1984) in just 12.46 seconds. Pearce started the final off 3.75m after gathering plenty of support at Tuesday night’s pre-race Calcutta. David Downie’s dream of winning back-to-back Burnie Gifts was shattered in the third semi-final when he was run out by New South Welshman Kyle Mervin. Mervin finished sixth in the final.
Burnie hero Tim O’Shannessey finally broke the ice in the Brambles Burnie Wheel when he made amends for three previous minor placings.
O’Shannessey has twice finished second, and in 1993 finished fourth. ‘I’ve had a dream of winning the Burnie Wheel since coming to the carnivals as a kid’, O’Shannessey said. In the sprint to the line O’Shannessey powered past Latrobe and Launceston Wheelrace winner Brett Aitken and luckless young Launceston rider Sean Sullivan. A total of five scratchmen made the wheelrace final and the pressure was on right from the start, with a final time of 3 minutes 17.27 seconds. (Does this need to be part of this article?)
Wynyard’s Emma Marshall continued her amazing series form when she added the Lactos 120m to her victories at Latrobe last Friday and her 200m at Devonport on Monday night. In an all-up finish Marshall held on to beat Olympic medallist Cathy Freeman and Nova Perris.
An estimated 8000 people attended the Burnie carnival, while a further 2000 attended the night session.
1997 WOMEN’S GIFT
Marshal proving hard to beat – By David Tiddy
Young Burnie sprinter Emma Marshall overcame an illness scare and the presence of two Olympians to win the $1500 Lactose Women’s 120m Handicap at the Burnie carnival yesterday.
The victory continued Marshall’s domination of the carnival series which has included victories in the $2000 Latrobe Gift (120m) and the $1500 Devonport 200m handicap. Marshall (5.5m) defeated Olympians Nova Perris (2.75m) and Cathy Freeman (scratch) in a time of 14.34 seconds. Marshall feared a head cold on Tuesday night would affect her chances in the sprint. ‘A few runners in the stable had the flu, and I think I had the first stages of that last night ...... a sore throat and running nose,’ she said. ‘I wanted to (run), I don’t anything would have stopped me, but I didn’t feel 100% and wondered whether it would be worth me running. I still felt a bit bad this morning, but once I got on the blocks, I forgot about it, I just thought about running the race. I felt a bit tired in my heat but saw the time and that gave me a bit of a boost and I felt pretty good.’
The 21-year-old missed last seasons series to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She said, watching from the sidelines provided her with the desire to come back this season. ‘I didn’t know how I would come back this year, just to be back is really great,’ she said. Marshall, originally from Roseberry, joined the stable of former Burnie Gift winner Gary Wescombe, and is still coming to terms with her success during the three major carnivals. ‘I never thought in my wildest dreams I could do it, I don’t think it has quite hit me.’
Marshall also defeated Olympic 400m silver medallist, Freeman at Latrobe and Perris at Devonport.
Perris won gold with the Hockeyroos at the Atlanta games and is now pursuing a running career. While acknowledging the class of the Olympians, Marshall refused to be overawed by their presence. ‘They’re great athletes, so you always know they’re a chance to catch you, but I just went for it,’ she said. ‘Cathy worried more than Nova, I’d never seen her (Nova) run so I was a bit unsure. ‘But you have to focus on yourself, not the others. You can’t spend your energy worrying about them.’
Marshall will compete at the minor carnivals during summer and may run at Stawell during Easter. ‘People tend to say the 200m is a better event for me but I just love the 120s and 100s,’ she said.
The other finalists yesterday were Marshall’s 15-year-old stablemate Kasey Kuuisisalo, Amanda Edwards and Kristy Rootes.
1997
Carnivals fire Cathy – By Julian O’Brien
Olympic medallist, Cathy Freeman gave credit to the Coastal carnivals yesterday for ‘rekindling her fire’. Speaking after her third place from scratch in yesterday’s Burnie Women’s Gift, Freeman said the successful 1996-97 Coastal carnivals series had helped return her desire to compete. ‘I would have liked to have gone a bit better and been in a better shape,’ Freeman said. ‘But the pro running has done me good because it’s rekindled my fire again. It’s a great way to start ’97, and I just hope I can do everything this year like I did in ’96, except better.’ Freeman said she was finding it hard to get back into competition after the Olympics. ‘Yeah, I’d come back from my home town and it was just the little things,’ she said. ‘I was still training but my diet was a bit slack – just things like that.’ Freeman still thrilled her masses of fans in Tasmania at the Latrobe, Devonport and yesterday’s Burnie carnival. Freeman also finished second to Burnie’s Emma Marshall in the Latrobe Gift last week.
1997 RESULTS
Coca Cola Maiden Handicap:
B.Blanco 3m, 1: M.Nicholls 3.25m, 2: B.Springham 3m, 3: Time: 10.02. Other finalists: B.Mecuri, L.Court, M.Johns.
$15,000 Fosters Light Ice Burnie Gift:
P.Pearce 3.75m, 1: S.Bresnehan 4m, 2: S.Hearn 2m, 3: Time: 12.46. Other finalists: P.Crane, M.Saltmarsh, K.Mervin.
Fairford Ecourage 1600m Handicap:
D.McLaren 85m, 1: D.Stojanovic 75m, 2: J.Allen 95m, 3: Time: 4.12.42.
BAC Backmarkers Invitation 120m Sprint:
K.vander Kuyp 3m, 1: P.Crawford 1.75m, 2: G.McCarthy 4m, 3: Time: 12.88. Other finalists: K.Douglas, D.Wholsen, N.Rodda.
Lactos Women’s 120m Gift:
E.Marshall 5.5m, 1: N.Perris 1.75m, 2: C.Freeman scr. 3: Other finalists: K.Kuusisalo, A.Edwards and K.Rootes.
Ryan Mining Company Ladies’ 400m Handicap $1000:
K.Richardson (Ulverstone) 40, 1: S.Pickford (Penguin) 22m, 2: L.Saint-John 6m, 3: Time: 54.8.
Men’s Bass Bakery 400m Handicap $1000:
N.Gornalle 24m ,1: D.Page 26m, 2: T.Atkins 29m, 3: Time: 46.98.
Premier Motors Mazda Tasmanian Handicap 1600m $2750:
A.Russell (Melbourne) 85m, 1: D.Hopkins (Melbourne) 120m, 2: M.Jackson (Launceston) 75m, 3: Time: 4.03.00.
BAC 200m Handicap $1000:
D.Downie 12m, 1: K.Hanlon 11m, 2: P.Pearce 5m, 3: Time: 20.20.
1998
Turale Claims Gift Crown
TWELVE months ago Wynyard sprinter Shaun Turale was forced to miss the $15,000 Burnie Gift he longed for because of a hamstring injury.
Yesterday the 20-year-old hit back in fine style, winning the $15,000 Australian Bulk Minerals Burnie Gift (120 m), blitzing a quality field to seal a victor he had been working towards for months. Off 8.75 m in the final, the clear Calcutta and bookie favourite stormed home leaving 1995 Stawell Gift winner and backmarker Glenn Crawford in his wake.
Turale was joined by Gary Wescombe stablemate Brent Saltmarsh in the final and the former Wynyard runner, now an engineer in the army in Queensland, finished a strong third. Turale will benefit from the $10,500 prize purse, while Saltmarsh earned $1000 fir his third place.
Swamped by his friends following the race, Turale had been tipped as the favourite for the 1998 Burnie Gift after making the Stawell semi-finals last Easter.
‘Stawell was the big turn-around for me – I’d just come back from the injury.’ The former Wynyard footballer said. ‘But it’s definitely the help of my trainer Gary Wescombe – he’s a lot about the Burnie Gift because he’s won two of them. ‘The year off football helped I think, definitely stopped the injuries anyway. It was also having Brent there with me today. When we both started we made a promise we’d both run in a Burnie Gift final together.’
Wescombe was naturally delighted with his newest Burnie Gift addition, a trophy for the trainer of the winner in the time-honoured event.
The Burnie-based masseur, who won the 1978 and 1984 Burnie gifts, had to carefully manage Turale to protect his mark from the handicappers. ‘I always though Shaun could win a Burnie Gift,’ Wescombe said. ‘Brent (Saltmarsh) was in the stable when we first started it four years ago and Shaun was one of the group of friends with other guys like Dion Ebdon. ‘Someone like Shaun, if he was in the mainland, would be set for Stawell in two years time.’
Turale now joins a select band of runners, who have the Burnie Gift on their resume, including last year’s winner Paul Pearce and Dean Capobianco, once known as the fastest white man in the world. To page 38.
1998 results
Allfood Peters $400 Malden 90m Handicap:
B.Springham, 3.5m, 1: M.Stevenson 4.25m, 2: B.Mercuri 2.5m 3: Other finalists: C.Wells 3m, C.Gadsen 3.5m, P.Beaumont 4m, Time: 9.9.
Heat winners: N. Eakin, B. Mercuri, N. Carr, M.Stevenson, C.Roberts, C.Gadsen.
Lactos $2500 Women’s 120m Handicap:
K.Kuusisalo 7m, 1: E.Reinalda, scr. 2: A.Phillips, 4.5m, 3: Other finalists: R.Dick 3.25m, M.Kay 4.5m, F.Pickford 8.75m. Time: 14.38.
Heat winners: C.Miller, F.Pickford, E.,Reinalda, R.Dick, E.Marshall, A.Phillips.
Australian Bulk Minerals $15,000 Burnie Gift 120m:
S.Turale 8.75m, 1: G.Crawford 2m, 2: B.Saltmarsh 9m, 3: Other finalists: R.Smith 6m, A.Pym 6.25m, R.Callega 3.5m. Time: 12.38.
Heat winners: R.Smith, C.McCarthy, G.McCarthy, A.Nabil, A.Pym, B.Budgeon, P.Bonghouts, R.Callega, G.Crawford, D.Thom, A.Basil, K.Mervin, S.Bresnehan, S.Turale, B.Blanco, B.Saltmarsh.
Fosters Light Ice $2000 Backmarkers Sprint 120m:
D.Thom 1m, 1: A.Basil, 1.75m, 2: P.Pearce, scratch 3: Other finalists: S.Hearn 5m:, D.Baxter 5m:, S.Bresnehan 1.5m: P.Borghouts 2m. Time: 12.86.
Pasminco Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
S.Rintel 70m, 1: L.Kearney 80m, 2: J.Ishia 45m, 3: Time: 3.59.33.
The Advocate Ladies 200m Handicap:
A.Phillips 17m, 1: E.Marshall 8m, 2: R.Dick 9m, 3: Other finalists: M.Kay, F.Pickford, M.Pickford. Time: 23.54
Toll Metro 200m Handicap:
B.Saltmarsh 16m, 1: S.Bresnehan 6m, 2: P.Borghouts 8m, 3: Other finalists: R.Robinson, D.Sinfield, R.Twining. Time: 20.22.
Ryan Mining Company Women’s 400m Handicap:
K.Huxtable 30m, 1: L.Saint-John 10m, 2: C.Walsh 37m, 3: Other finalists: F.Pickford, S.Skeggs, K.Marshall, V.Lee, P.Huxtable, K. Richardson. Time: 53.57.
Heat winner: L. Saint-John, S. Skeggs.
Cripps Nubske Men’s 400m Handicap:
K.McConnon 22m, 1: M.Bailey 22m, 2: T.Atkins 31m, 3: Other finalists: D.Rawlins, N.Eakin, N.Gornaile, M.De Bomford, C.Roberts. Time: 45.95.
PHOTO: GLORY: Wynyard sprinter Shaun Turale wins the 1998 $15,000 Burnie Gift. They Gary Wescombe stable also turned out the women’s gift winner – Burnie’s Kasey Kuusisalo. Picture: Stuart Wilson.
1999
Bullet does it again – By Julian O’Brien
IT MUST have been destiny.
Simon Bresnehan went into yesterday’s $15,000 Burnie Gift as a huge favourite and rose to the occasion in one of the best fought finals in years.
In front of a huge crowd at West Park, the Seven Mile Beach sprinter confirmed his status as one of the State’s greatest ever runners, adding the 1999 trophy to his 1993 Burnie Gift win.
The destiny part was the fact that yesterday, as a 24-year-old off 3.75m, he ran the exact same time as he did as an 18-year-old in 1993 off 5.75m – 12.13 seconds.
‘I’ve now done twice what most other runners are never able to do once. It is very special,’ an elated Bresnehan said. ‘This is where my running career started and this is where it will probably end too. ‘It’s very much like when I won it before – beautiful weather. I just hope someone has kept a beer for me this time.’
After weeks out through injury, Devonport’s Brett Bianco turned it on especially for the big day and ran a sensational race to finish second.
Ted Eagling-trained Penguin runner Bernard Springham, the 1997 maiden winner, was brilliant all day and pushed on for third.
Devonport’s Brett Budgeon ran fourth in his first Burnie final while Sydney’s Rod Buchanan and former Burnie and Devonport gift winner David Downie – the fastest runner though the heats and the semis – finished equal fifth.
Victoria’s Jamie Clark was the only runner in the final who finished outside the prize money after Springham and Buchanan both had to be included in the final field for dead heating in their semi final.
Clark’s consolation was picking up the Burnie Maiden title earlier in the day.
Burnie sprinter Emma Marshall continued to push her boundaries by blitzing the field to win the women’s gift ahead of Burnie’s Melissa Kay. Penguin’s Merissa Pickford finished third.
More Carnival reports pages 58 to 61.
PHOTO: Number One: Simon Bresnehan races across the line to secure victory in the Burnie Gift against competitors (from left) Brett Budgeon, Bernard Springham (third), Brett Bianco (second), David Downie, Jamie Clark and Rod Buchanan. Picture: Dale Cumming.
1999 WOMEN’S GIFT
Emma blitzes field - by Allen de Weys
Brilliant Burnie sprinter Emma Marshall will go into today’s Latrobe women’s gift as an almost unbackable favourite after blitzing a class field in yesterday’s Burnie Gift.
Marshall, the backmarker, won by nearly two metres from Somerset’s Melissa Kay and Penguin frontmarker Merrissa Pickford in a time of 12.68 seconds.
The win was Marshall’s seventh major this season, after taking a history-making 400m and 200m double at the Devonport Carnival, the West Park Gift, the Longford and Perth gifts and the Devonport 100m.
When asked whether the Burnie win would be the pinnacle of her season, Marshall promptly answered, ‘Hopefully not’.
‘It’s great and I didn’t expect to do this after the season I have had,’ Marshall said. ‘Latrobe is one of he big fits so I’ll be giving that a go.’ Marshall will run in the 120m women’s gift at Latrobe, as well as mixing it with the men in the 70m sprint.
The 23-year-old has been flattered by comments from international athletes Tania Van Heer and Cathy Freeman, who believe she should step up to the next level. Yesterday Marshall found herself agreeing with them. ‘I’ve done what I want to do at pro level so I have got to step up to another level.’ She said. Marshall is aiming for the State championships early this year. At the start of the 1998-99 season Marshall predicted a big year for herself, saying she had become accustomed to being a back-marker after the initial shock that followed her success in the 1996-97 season, when she won the Burnie and Latrobe gifts and the Devonport 200m.
That was certainly been proved correct and now Marshall said she wouldn’t want it any other way. ‘I love it where I am,’ she said. ‘It’s great to chase. When you get out and beat a field like that it’s just really great.’
The Burnie field, which also included Somerset’s Amanda Edwards, Latrobe’s Hayley Moore and Deloraine runner Shannon Heffernan, looked capable of holding Marshall back after seeing her take all before her up until yesterday.
Front marker Merissa Pickford held onto Marshall until the 85m mark, but then Marshall’s strength allowed her to pull away and record a dominant win.
‘I knew I would have to get a good start, so I tried to relax and get out as quick as I could,’ Marshall said. Her form looked ominous from the heats, when Marshall ran a time nearly half a second faster than her nearest rival. Marshall has now won two Burnie Gifts, two Devonport 200m trophies, a Devonport 400m Gift and a Latrobe Gift.
The cabinet could require even more room after today if she pulls up well this morning and can hold her blistering form.
1999 RESULTS
Allfood $400 90m Maiden Handicap:
J.Clark 2.25m, 1: P.Beaumont 4.5m, 2: N.Broomhall 3.5m, 3: Time: 9.69. Other finalists: D.Adams 3m, M.Gadsen 3m, K.Eng 3.5m.
Fosters Light Ice $2000 Backmarkers Invitation Sprint:
S.Hair, 4.75m, 1: D.Thom, 2.25m, 2: D.Capobianco scr. 3: Other finalists: R.Whitnish 1.75m, P.Borghouts, 3.25m, K.Mervin, 4.75m, M.Rayment, 5m.
Lactos $2,500 120m Women’s Gift
E.Marshall 2.75m, 1: M.Kay 5m, 2: M.Pickford 10.25m, 3: A.Edwards 5.5m, 4: Time: 13.68. Other finalists: H.Moore 8.25m, S.Heffernan 9.25m, Heat winners: D.Wilkinson, M.Kay, E. Marshall, R.Dick, A.Edwards, M.Pickford.
1999 Tasfuel BAC $15,000 120m Burnie Gift:
S.Bresnehan 3.75m, 1: D.Blanco 8m, 2: B.Springham 8.75m, 3: B.Budgeon 8.75m, 4: D.Downie 6.5m, R.Buchanan 4.25m, eq 5: J.Clark 5m. Time: 12.13. Heat winners B.McKechnie, M.Stevenson, B.Budgeon, R.Whitnish, R.Twining, K.Sheldrick, M. De Bomford, D.Downie, B.Blanco, S.Hair, T.Cawthorn, B.Springham, S.Bresnehan, P.Borghouts, R.Buchanan.
Bartletts Barristers & Solicitors Tasmanian 1600m Handicap.
D.Hopkins 120m, 1: M.Beveridge 100m, 2: D.Stojanovic 85m, 3: Time: 4.00.75.
The Advocate Ladies 200m Handicap.
E.Marshall 5m, 1: K.Huxtable 19m, 2: S.Heffernan 16m, 3: Time: 23.19.
Other finalists: B.Egon, C.Gabbett, A.Phillips.
Toll Tasmanian 200m Handicap.
T.Cawthorne 11m, 1: B.Springham 15m, 2: R.Twinning 15m, 3: Time 20.86. Other finalists: P.Borghouts, S.Bailey.
Cripps Nubake 400m Handicap:
J.Ishia 18m, 1: T.Cawthorne 13m, 2: S.Bailey 26m, 3: Time: 46.32. Other finalists: M.De Bomford, R.Stiles, N.Gornalle, B.Swain, C.Roberts.
Ryan Mining Co. Ladies 400m Handicap:
K.Richardson 43m, 1: M.Pickford 34m, 2: R.Delphin 18m, 3: Time: 53.15. Other finalists: L. Saint-John, F.Pickford, L.Lewis, L.Allen, J.Pryor, L.Poke, Fairford.
Encourage Handicap 1600m:
M.Poke 90m, 1: N.Piermont 110m, 2: P.Kay 100m, 3: Time: 4.09.87.
2000
Stevenson Kicks Home
LAUNCESTON’S Matthew Stevenson has confirmed himself as a big occasion runner, but he didn’t earn that tag simply because he won the $15,000 Tasfuel Burnie Gift.
It was the fact Stevenson was headed with 20 m to go by one of Australia’s best professional runners, Ross Smith and managed to find enough to kick back and win Tasmania’s richest gift.
While Stevenson, who ran off 8.75 m, may have slipped under the guard of all the punters for the event, his run in the 2000 Burnie Gift will be remembered as one of the greats.
After recording the third fastest heat time, it was clear Stevenson was going to be among the calculations. Yet it wasn’t till his semi final – when he easily recorded the quickest time and eliminated last week’s Bay-Sheffield winner Andrew McManus in the process. It became obvious the Gift was his for the taking.
However, before the final, Smith still wore much of the favouritism and appeared to be living up to his impressive reputation. That is till Stevenson found a new pair of legs over the last 20 m, sparking massive celebrations by friends, stablemates and family – some of whom had bought Stevenson in the Calcutta $50 for a return of $1600.
Stevenson, who ran 11.04 secs to finish second to Simon Bresnehan in last year’s State 100 m championship, admitted he had been set for the race some time ago.
‘I’m very excited …. A lot of work has gone into this,’ Stevenson said. ‘I have trained long and hard for that and all the hard work has now paid off,’ he said on Saturday. ‘I knew someone (Smith) was there with me, but I found something and I’m rapt. ‘It wasn’t long ago I finished second in the State title and I think a lot of people forgot that. ‘I suppose I have been confident all season because I’ve had people around me saying all I have to do is run a personal best and I can win this.’
For Smith, originally from Burnie and now of New South Wales, it was a sorry tale. Having finished second in the famous Stawell Gift at Easter, Smith ran second to McManus in the Bay-Sheffield and the disappointment was painfully obvious when he completed the hat-trick with a second at Burnie.
Smith had been confident of the win after running the last 20 m of his heat and semi-final looking across the lanes at his opponents as he cruised to victory.
Favourite local and Devonport Gift winner Shaun Bailey, finished third and 1996 Burnie Gift winner David Downie was a close fourth after running out pre-race ‘smokie’ Bernard Springham in the semi-finals.
Burnie’s Matt de Bomford finished fifth in the final leaving race favourite and backmarker Glenn Crawford in sixth.
Stevenson’s time of 12.77 secs may appear slow on paper, but considering he had to run into an incredibly strong headwind the time was superb.
Trained by Jeff Nankervia in Launceston, Stevenson also finished third in the Latrobe Gift.
McManus makes amends
AFTER failing to make the final of the 2000 Tasfuel Burnie Gift, Sydney’s Andrew McManus made the trip to Tasmania worthwhile in winning the 120 m Backmarkers Invitational Sprint at Saturday’s Burnie Carnival.
Having sprinted to victory in the rich Bay-Sheffield Gift in Adelaide last week, McManus was run-out of the Burnie Gift in the sixth semi-final after being re-handicapped to two metres. However, the 29-year-old picked up $1200 - $200 more than third place in the Burnie Gift – for his backmarkers’ win hitting the tape two metres clear of second-placed Cameron McKenzie and James Clark, both of Victoria.
Trained y Homebush Track Club’s Matt Barber, who also trains champion Dean Capobianco, McManus ran a perfect race from scratch to cross the line in a fairly slow time of 13.26 secs into a strong headwind.
Fellow scratchman McKenzie never seemed to trouble McManus who has been labelled a huge prospect to make the Sydney Olympic team by Barber.
Third-placed Clarke, running off 1.5 m, also fell short of making the Burnie Gift final and was unable to add yet another backmarkers’ handicap to his tally which includes two wins at the prestigious Stawell Carnival.
Heading the Tasmanian contingent, Devonport’s Gene Mawer crossed the line in second place off 5 metres while Victorian Rob Callega (1.5 m) former Tasmanian Daniel Stolp and Victorian Morgan Coull, were close behind.
2000 results
Allfood Peters Ice Cream $400 90m Maiden Handicap:
P.Pedrotti 3.5m, 1: T.Lawler 4.5m, 2: M.Bryan 3.5m, 3: Other finalists: J.Dicker 3m: A.Morris 3m: T.Johnston 5m: Time: 10.07.
Fosters Light Ice 120m $2000 Backmarkers Invitation Sprint:
A.McManus (scr) 1: C.McKenzie (scr) 2: L.Clark 1.5m, 3: G.Mawer 5m, 4:
Lactos Ladies 120m $3000 Handicap:
M.Kay 5.75m, 1: T.Johnston 8.25m, 2: K.Rootes 9.5m, 3: Other finalists: R.De Bomford (scr) L.Palmer 10.75m, K.Richardson 12.5m. Time: 14.94.
$15,000 Tasfuel – BAC 2000 Burnie 120m Gift:
M.Stevenson 8.75m, 1: R.Smith 2.5m, 2: S.Bailey 8.25m, 3: D.Downie 5.5m, 4: M.De Bomford 8.75m 5: G.Crawford 2.25m, 6: Time: 12.77.
Winters Wizard / The Advocate 200m Handicap:
B.Springham 16m, 1: V.Sketcher 15m, 2: D.Symons 21m, 3: Time 20.15.
Toll Tasmania Ladies 200m Handicap:
B.Egan 6m, 1: M.Kay 10m, 2: S. Hefferman 16m, 3: Time: 23.47.
Ryan Mining Company Ladies 400m Handicap:
K.Richarson 38m, 1: L.Palmer 30m, 2: J.Pryor 30m, 3: Time: 53.28.
Cripps Nubake 400m Handicap:
M.Coull 18m, 1: T.Potter 30m, 2: L.Holloway 30m, 3: Time: 45.53.
Fairford Tasmanian Handicap 1600m:
Z.Carr 135m, 1: P.Jamieson 90m, 2: M.McDonough 70m, 3: Time 4:00.97.
PHOTO: VICTORY LUNGE: Matthew Stevenson (second from left) just gets over the line to win Burnie Gift from the other finalists (from left) Matt de Bomford, David Downie, Shaun Bailey, Glenn Crawford and Ross Smith. Picture: Stuart Wilson.
2001
MORE THAN $22,000 in one week!
BROWN SIZZLES
Victorian teenager Craig Brown produced a sizzling run to win the Tasfuel 2001 Burnie Gift, to add to his convincing victory in the rich Bay Sheffield Gift last week.
Brown overcame a poor start to round in the majority of the field at the halfway mark, before bringing out a wonderful run to pip West Australian runner Shaun Mayne on the line.
The Burnie Gift triumph capped off the best week in the 19-year-old’s short running career. ‘I did it! My coach just said ‘go out there and just do it’, and I gave it all I had,’ Brown said.
‘I’m ecstatic ….. I was pulled two metres after winning the Bay Sheffield and I overcame it.’
Pegging his blocks in at six metres, Brown played second fiddle to Mayne in the heats and semi-finals, with the West Australian running the fastest times before the $15,000 final.
But pure motivation and an extreme desire to win, pushed Brown to new limits – limits his father, Joe, and coach Jim Bradley had visualised him reaching.
‘You don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore,’ Joe said to his son after the race. This kid is top class, and he’s still only a baby. ‘He missed the kick at the start, but you could see him coming and I knew he’d come home strong.’
After waiting an anxious minute while the finishing order was finalised, Brown threw himself into a forward somersault in excitement of his achievement.
Mayne held on to grab second place, while Barbados runner Everton Evelyn took home the third place prize pool.
Only two Tasmanians made the final, with Shaun Bailey (6.50) beating home Launceston’s Mark Nichols (7.00) into fourth place.
But it was Brown that warranted all the attention yesterday. Nicknamed ‘Baby Brown’ by his father, the Victorian teenager said he was going to invest his newly-acquired fortune. ‘This is something I’ve spent 18 very hard months working towards and it’s all come to together so well,’ he said.
2001 results
Allfood – Peters Ice Cream Maiden 90m Handicap:
K.Reeves 2.0m, 1: R.Mitchel 3m, 2: A.Dick 2.0m, 3: Other finalists: M.Freeth 3.50m, L.Miller 3.50m, M. Bryan 4m. Time: 9.56.
Toll Tasmania Ladies 70m $500 Handicap:
S.Smith 7.50m, 1: K.Rootes 6.50m, 2: L.Palmer 7.50m, 3: Other finalists: R.Dick 2.50m, J.McGibbon 3.50m, S.Carr 8.50m.
Tom Moore & Son 70m $1000 Handicap:
D.Symmons 8.25m, 1: C.Gadson 6.5m, 2: M.Freeth 5.50m, 3: Other finalists: W.Lee 6.5m, D.Ebdon 8.25m, D.Nankervis 9.5m. Time: 7.44.
Lactos $3000 Ladies 120m Gift:
T.Johnston 7m, 1: S.Smith 10m, 2: R.Dick 4.50m, 3: Other finalists: E.De Bomford (scr) J.McGibbon 5.50m, M.Kay 4.50m. Time: 13.80.
Tasfuel 2001 $15,000 Burnie 120m Gift:
C.Brown 6m, 1: S.Mayne 6m, 2: E.Evelyn 3.75m, 3: Other finalists: L. Wiseman 5.50m, S.Bailey 6.50m, M.Nichols 7m. Time: 12.27.
BAC Ladies 400m Handicap:
J.Marshall 18m, 1: M.Whiley 18m, 2: B.Egan 20m, 3:
Fairford $1,000 Encouragement Handicap:
A.Jones 80m, 1: D.Glover 100m, 2: P.J. Bosch 100m, 3: Time: 4:06.10.
Fosters Light Ice $2,000 Backmarkers Invitation 120 Sprint:
G.Mawes 5m, 1: B. Callahan 4m, 2: K.McConnon 6m, 3: Other finalists: J.Clark 2m, R.Mitchell 4m, D.Downie 4m, M.Freeth 6m.
BAC Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
G.Page 60m, 1: J.Chugg 90m, 2: J.Ashdown 105m, 3: Time: 4:02.53.
PHOTO: THE ECSTASY: Tasfuel 2001 Burnie Gift winner Craig Brown, of Melbourne, gets a hug from his father, Joe, after his victory. Brown’s Burnie Gift win comes after his victory, in the prestigious Bay Sheffield Gift in South Australia last week. Picture: Stuart Wilson.
2002
Rogers rips through
Favourite never in doubt – by Andrew Carswell
A drastic change to his mark, a lost airline ticket, nor a freezing westerly wind could stop West Australian sprinter Darren Rogers from winning the Tasfuel Burnie Gift last night.
Starting in the yellow off his revised mark of seven metres, Rogers took control of the race midway up the grass track and never lost sight of the finishing gate.
The 20-year-old put his chest in front at the 120-metre mark and pipped Burnie’s Joel Deegan for the prized purse, while Mount Hicks runner Tim Potter was third for a second time in the gift.
Rogers trained by Matt Barber, was originally given a generous handicap of nine metres for the 2002 gift, but after a sizzling club race in Perth and a third place in the Bay Sheffield Gift in Adelaide, Tasmanian Athletic League officials were forced to peg him back two metres.
But the extra distance didn’t worry Rogers, who started gift favourite – he just needed to put together a perfect race .... and he did just that, evidenced by the quick time of 12.73 seconds into a head wind. ‘Tasmania has gone crazy in the last couple of days and this is a perfect end to a tough week. It was a great run, the wind dropped and it all came together. ‘I can’t believe it’, Rogers said. ‘My starts have been bad in the last two or three weeks, including up at the Bay Sheff (Sheffield) and today I just took off’. Rogers will now head to England to contest the British championships. ‘I’ll take my girlfriend away on holiday – she’s missed me all week, I’m going to head back to Britain and I’ll run in the British Championships,’ he said.
‘This race has been won by Dean Capobianco so it’s great to put my name alongside someone like that. I would’ve loved my coach Matty Barber to see this.’ Behind and at the right of Rogers was Deegan (10 metres), and the much improved runner certainly turned it on in front of his home crowd, and nearly stole the riches. His run was admirable, and in receiving his prize money, vowed to come back and win the 2003 Burnie Gift.
Just as worthy was the performance of Potter (8.75 metres), who had won his heat and semi-final in scintillating fashion earlier in the day.
PHOTO: Hungry sprinter Darren Rogers inspects the Burnie track yesterday, ahead of today’s 2002 Burnie Gift.
Winner’s Aussie dream - by Julian O’Brien
Anne Marie Mouri-Nkeng may just be the latest international sprinter to call Australia home.
After winning the $3000 B&E Burnie women’s 120-metre gift last night off four metres Mouri-Nkeng, who represented Cameroon at the Sydney Olympics in the 4x100 metre relay said she was looking to make Australia her home. Her South Australian coach, Paul Young, who virtually stumbled on Mouri-Nkeng, said after his charge’s brilliant gift win, she had residence in Australia for 18 months and was one day keen to represent Australia. ‘She certainly wants to stay in Australia long term now and make this her home,’ Young said. ‘She’s very committed to the country and her plans are to one day represent the country – she’s a long way from that at the moment, but hopefully we’ll get there one day in some shape and form’.
The French speaking Mouri-Nkeng was ultra-impressive over the course of the day, unbeaten through the heats and semi and managed to fend of talented Devonport teenager Morgan Whiley and Ulverstone’s Sheridan Smith in the final.
Mouri-Nkeng was overwhelmed after the finish of the gift, delighted at the glory after being pipped by Lauren Hewitt at the Bay Sheffield in South Australian on Friday.
‘I’m very happy to win this competition. I’d like to come back next year. I was very confident and my coach pushed me a lot – I’m very tough (mentally).’
PHOTO: WOMEN’S GIFT: Competitors at the finish of last night’s Burnie women’s gift final are (from left) Tanya de Jong, Sheridan Smith (third), Morgan Whiley (second) Melissa Kay, winner Anne Marie Mouri-Nkeng and Tamika Johnston. Picture: Dale Cummings.
2003
RAIN WASHES OUT BURNIE CARNIVAL
THE 2003 Burnie Carnival was a washout!
Carnival program tells competitors that the club does not guarantee the tracks on which they complete are safe and was not liable for any accident which may happen due to a defect in the tracks or from, by or through the negligence of the club, its officials or servants.’
The financial cost of the decision to cancel has not been ascertained but it is expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars – reimbursing the food hall vendors alone will cost $2000 and electrical and other contractors need to be paid.
‘I wouldn’t want to guess at the loss – it might frighten me,’ Mr Munday said.
Food hall chairman John Medwin
Carnival program tells competitors that the club does not guarantee the tracks on which they complete are safe and was not liable for any accident which may happen due to a defect in the tracks or from, by or through the negligence of the club, its officials or servants.’
The financial cost of the decision to cancel has not been ascertained but it is expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars – reimbursing the food hall vendors alone will cost $2000 and electrical and other contractors need to be paid.
‘I wouldn’t want to guess at the loss – it might frighten me,’ Mr Munday said.
Food hall chairman John Medwin……..
Sprinter remains luckless
GOLD Coast sprinter Austin Weir just can’t seem to get a run in the Burnie Gift.
Weir an accomplished and experienced professional runner, could only walk the waterlogged track yesterday due to the cancellation of the annual Burnie New Year’s Day Carnival.
He made the trip to Burnie from sunny Queensland with his partner Carla Stevenson – the third time the 34-year-old has entered the Burnie Gift. However, he’s never actually run in it.
On two previous trips to the Coast, Weir injured his hamstring before competing at Burnie. ‘The last two times I’ve come to Burnie I’ve pulled a hamstring the week before or a couple of days beforehand. I still came down both times because I booked the flights and I was with a group of runners, but I didn’t compete,’ Weir said. This time, I’m fully fit, no injuries, and then the Heavens open and the carnival is cancelled.’ While Weir didn’t rate himself a chance of winning the $15,000 gift he just wanted to live the Burnie Gift experience, a race he rates very highly. Weir would’ve been more of a thread to the locals and fellow interstate runners in the 400 metres handicap yesterday, due to jump from the blocks from 34 metres in the fourth heat. He has an extensive list of professional carnival victories to his name, including the widely targeted 200 metres and 400 metres handicaps at Stawell.
Yesterday was a new experience for the seasoned runner. ‘I’m quite surprised really because I’ve been running pros for years and this is the first time I’ve ever come to a pro race that has been cancelled because of the weather,’ he said. ‘It’s a pretty empty feeling because it would be nice to have a race on the track. It’s probably one of the best tracks on the circuit really. I just wanted to have a run’.
Weir and Stevenson will spend a few days touring the State making the most of their trip, with a visit to Stevenson’s family in Hobart on the agenda.
AND IT HAPPENED IN 1937
EXTRACT from 1937 – The Advocate - January 2, 1937.
Rain Causes Abandonment of Burnie Carnival. First time in 52 years it has lapsed. Cost to Club will be 400 Pounds: Rain Insurance Realises 200 Pounds.
For the first time since the Burnie New Year’s Day carnival was inaugurated 52 years ago as a picnic sports conducted by the united friendly societies, it had to be abandoned yesterday because of heavy rain.
The Burnie Athletic Club, which has raised the carnival to one of the leading athletic fixtures in the Commonwealth, is a heavy loser as a result, the preliminary expenses and cost of bringing runners, riders and special attractions to Burnie totalling 400 Pounds. Of this, however, 200 Pounds was recovered from rain insurance policies.
Despite the rough weather a large number of people arrived by train and road to attend the carnival, which would doubtless have been a record but for the rain.
2004
Stawell Gift winner Josh Ross wins Burnie off Scratch!
NEW South Wales sprinter Joshua Ross elevated himself to superstar status last night, becoming only the second scratch man to win the $15,000 Hahn Premium Light Burnie Gift in the race’s 117-year history.
His Burnie triumph capped one of the most successful individual seasons ever, adding last night’s title to the $50,000 Stawell Gift at Easter and the $16,000 Latrobe Gift last week.
It confirmed the common belief Ross would run for Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a feat achieved by the last sprinter to win Burnie Gift from scratch, Dean Capobianco (1991).
Ross, from Maitland, edged out West Australian duo Andrew McMahon (two metres) and Rod Buchanan (4.5 metres), stopping the clock at 12.8 seconds into a strong headwind.
Ross joined Smithton 15-year-old Madelin Poke and Australian Graeme Brown in the spotlight last night, with Poke winning the Women’s Burnie Gift and Brown cruising home to win the Burnie Wheel.
Controversy dogged the cycling scene at yesterday’s carnival, with a fist fight breaking out between members of the United States and British cycling squads, with police called in to settle the matter. However, the glory and the spotlight belonged to the heroes, with Ross at the top of that list. ‘I’ve got nothing left, that’s all I had,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t feel real, it’s an amazing feeling.
Poke (15) wins star-studded Women's Gift
SMITHTON teenage sprinting sensation Madelin Poke has stunned a star studded field of Burnie Women’s Gift finalists to win the event at her first attempt. The 15-year-old ran second in her best to 2003 Latrobe Gift winner Morgan Whiley and won her semi-final ahead of carnival veteran Emma Marshall to qualify for the final.
Poke was over the moon with her win. ‘I can’t believe it, it’s awesome,’ Poke said. The final started dramatically with 2000 Burnie Gift winner Melissa Kay breaking for the third time this season, taking her mark back to 2.25 metres, behind Morgan Whiley.
Poke held off the fast-finishing Whiley, who finished in second place running from 2.75 metres, with the penalised Kay running hard into third place.
Poke said the break did affect her nerves on the blocks but she was able to block it out before the restart. ‘It makes you a bit nervous but you get your focus back after a while so it’s alright,’ Poke said. Poke said she had been training since October for the national youth championship and the carnivals had helped over the summer.
The Tasmanian under 16 100 and 200 metres champion remembered her place on the carnival food chain and paid tribute to Whiley. ‘She’s a great runner,’ Poke said. ‘It’s good to run with people like that. ‘They were all so good.’
Poke is trained at Smithton by her father, David, who said he was very relieved and happy for his daughter. ‘I know if she got a good start and could get out and get with them she’d be in with a chance,’ David said. ‘She’s very focussed so she shows how to get on with the job and we leave it up to her and she likes to do the run.’
After celebrating with a good night’s sleep, Poke is going to concentrate on the looming national youth championships, where she will run in the 100 and 200 metres with renewed confidence after her stunning victory in the yellow vest.
2004 results
$15,000 Hahn Premium Light Men’s Burnie Gift:
J.Ross (scr) 1: A.McManus 2.0m, 2: R.Buchanan 4.25m 3: Other finalists: C.Tuohy 6.50m, S.Stevenson 8.50m, A.Wilcox 8.50m. Time: 12.80.
B & E Ltd Women’s Burnie Gift:
M.Poke 5.75m, 1: W.Whiley 2.75m, 2: M.Kay 3.25m, 3: Other finalists: E.Marshall 1.50m, O.Scott 9.50m, M. Hinds 11.50m. Time: 14.26.
Toll Tasmania Women’s 70m Handicap:
M.Hines 8.0m, 1: M.Kay 3.50m, 2: A. Fairweather 8.50m, 3: Time: 8.66.
RACT Men’s 70m Handicap:
C.Yorke 5.50m, 1: D.Downie 5.50m, 2: A. Walsh 6.0m, 3: Time 7.84.
PFD Food Services / Peters Ice Cream Men’s Maiden 90m Handicap:
J.Taylor 4.0m, 1: P.Gellert 4.50m, 2: M.Parker 4.0, 3: Time: 10.20.
Fairford Encouragement 1600m Handicap:
M.Stevenson 125m, 1: S.Ferguson 135m, 2: G.Penney 155m 3:. Time: 4:05.43.
Burnie Trophy Centre Masters 300m Handicap:
P.Viney 1: T.Fairweather 2:, T.Hayes 3: Time: 34.32.
William Adams / Elphinstone Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
A.Jones 85m, 1: R.Young 110m 2: J.Chugg 75m 3: Time: 4:03.06.
SERS Women’s 400m Handicap:
K.Nicholson 26m, 1: C.White 25m, 2: L.Kenny 25m, 3: Time 54.43.
Cripps Nubake Men’s 400m Handicap:
M.Jones 28m, 1: L.Burkhardt 22m, 2: T.Philpott 32m, 3: Time: 46.52.
PHOTO: STUNNING: Madelin Poke (centre), of Smithton, storms home to win the Burnie Women’s Gift last night. It was the 15-year-old’s first attempt at the event. Picture: Stuart Wilson.
LARGE PHOTO: New South Wales sprinter Joshua Ross is all smiles after winning the Burnie Gift last night.
2005
Whitney wins race of his life
HOBART runner Luke Whitney was recovering yesterday from the race of his life as well as the victory celebrations.
The 22-year-old achieved his childhood dream on Saturday night by winning the prestigious
men’s 120-metre Burnie Gift.
Whitney, who was in bed before midnight on New Year’s Eve, was finally able to let his hair down after Saturday’s win. Whitney took a break from running two years ago after he was diagnosed with arthritis in his shoulders and hips.
However, he went to watch a Grand Prix series and ‘realised I wanted to be out there’, he said. ‘Coming back was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life.
“I couldn’t walk for a week after my first training session. ‘There were times when I thought it was too hard but winning this has made it all worth it – It’s been my dream since I was a boy.’
Whitney’s trainer Ray Quarrell had plenty of reasons to join the celebrations. He was presented with a national coaching award just half an hour before the gift final. ‘This is the third Burnie Gift win the stable has had in 10 years,’ Quarrell said. ‘We’re going to bring more runners back next year and hopefully get another one through.’
Quarrell said it was good to see Tasmanian athletes performing so well in this carnival series. ‘The standards of the stables have lifted,’ he said. ‘It’s best I’ve seen it – there’s some very good juniors coming through.’
2005 results
Men’s Maiden Handicap:
B.Groom 4m, 1: C.George 4m, 2: S.Fielding 3.5m, 3: Time: 10.25.
Women’s 70m Handicap:
F.Fagan 10m, 1: Alison Fairweather 8.75m, 2: K.Rootes 8.25m, 3: Time: 8.30.
Men’s 70m Handicap:
B.Bianco 3.5m, 1: C.Tuohy 3.5m, 2: T.Philpott 8m, 3: Time: 7.45.
Encourage Handicap 1600m:
S.Ferguson 155m, 1: G.Mace 110m, 2: T.Shore 120m, 3: Time: 7.45.
Women’s 400m Handicap:
K.Pedley 12m, 1: C.White 21m, 2: G.Plattern 26m, 3: Time: 54.20.
Men’s 400m Handicap:
M.Swain 28m, 1: T.Philpott 24m, 2: G.Plattern 26m, 3: Time?
120m Backmarkers Invitation Sprint:
J.Ross (scr) 1: C.Tuohy 5m, 2: L.Vaessen 8.25m, 3: Time: 12.72.
Women’s 120m Gift:
M. Hines 11.5m, 1: F.Fagan 13.75m, 2: M.Poke 4m, 3: Time: 14.48.
Men’s 120m Gift:
L.Whitney 9.25m, 1: M.Nichols 10.25m, 2: T.Scott 7.75m, 3: Time: 12.66.
1600m Tasmanian Handicap:
S.Ferguson 150, 1: R.Young 75m, 2:, T.Jackson 105m, 3: Time:?
PHOTO: ALL WORTH IT: Burnie Gift winner Luke Whitney, of Hobart, takes a much-deserved break in front of the TV yesterday morning after his big win on Saturday. Picture Stuart Wilson.
2006
Yorke pips local – Nigel Tapp
Devonport front marker Budgeon fails to hold out WA sprinter
GALLANT Devonport frontmarker Brett Budgeon failed by only millimetres to hold off Cameron Yorke in the $15,000 Tasmanian Banking Services Burnie Gift.
Budgeon had fought hard throughout the journey to keep Yorke at bay but the West Australian with the unique running action could not be denied.
The 29-year-old who gave successful WA coach Matt Barber his fourth Burnie Gift revealed that he had not considered himself much of a chance at the start of the day and had considered the 70m his best option before chatting with Barber.
PHOTO: TIGHT FINISH: Winner of the Burnie Gift Cameron Yorke, of Western Australia (left),
2006 results
90m Maiden Handicap:
McDonald (Old Beach) 4m, 1: P.J. Stanley (Burnie) 4.5m, 2: B.Eaves (Burnie) 4.5m, 3: Time: 10.42.
Women’s 70m Handicap:
S.Preston (Davenport) 6.25m, 1: F.Fagan (Davenport) 9.75m, 2: O.Scott (Launceston) 8.25m, 3:
Time: 8.52.
Men’s 70m Handicap:
J.Taylor (NSW) 7.5m, 1: R.Thompson (ACT) 6.5m, 2: B. Leather (W.A.) 7m, 3: Time: 7.68.
1600m Handicap:
T.Shore (Burnie) 135m, 1:, P. Taafe (NSW) withheld 2: K.Bell (Burnie) 175m, 3: Time: 4:10.79.
2007
Just unbelievable
Ross storms into Burnie record books
JOSH Ross created history last night by becoming the first man to win Bendigo Bank Burnie Gift twice from scratch but only after a nervous wait as judges separated him and Sam Crosswell.
Ross was eventually given the nod by 2 cm the width of a finger in 12.04 secs after Crosswell fought back when Ross first hit the lead.
Crosswell was re-handicapped a metre yesterday morning after winning eh 400m Devonport Gift last week and also the Devonport 200m. That metre would have led to a very different result.
Relieved Ross, along with Crosswell, had an agonising 45-second wait for the colours to be semaphored.
The dual Stawell Gift winner described the victory as ‘unbelievable’. ‘That was awesome. It was a great race. He (Crosswell) came back at me, that was his 400 metre strength.’
Ross who won Burnie in 2004 and this was his first trip back since then, was impressive in winning his heat but some judges favoured Crosswell after the semis when Ross appeared off the boil.
‘I just got my race place backward in the semi, I tried to hit top gear too early. ‘But in the final the race went more or less perfectly for me.’ Ross said he ranked the win alongside his other successes.
While a little disappointed Crosswell admitted that he had exceeded his expectations given he is a 400m runner. ‘My first aim was to just get through the heat and to then get to the final, I could not ask for any more given that I have only been running for a year and a half now,’ he said.
Crosswell had no qualms about pulling out of the 400m to prepare for his first 120m final.
Class act Ross near his best Gift win
A METRE may not seem very far but for rising Tasmanian sprinting star Sam Crosswell it was the difference between a $10,000 cheque and the glory of winning the Burnie Gift or second no real glory and a cheque for $1400.
Crosswell’s form in his first carnivals campaign, which has included two wins over 400m and now over 200m, gave Tasmanian Athletic League handicapper David Downie no choice but to shave his mark.
Crosswell still ran the fastest semi and an impressive heat to become something of a favourite after scratchman Josh Ross was less than impressive in his semi. But Ross is a class act and class runners know just how to get to the line. Perhaps it was this experience which told in the end. Ross appeared to lunge at the line and Crosswell was more upright. The judges gave the official margin as two centimetres or the width of a finger.
Ross has now won two Burnie Gifts from scratch along with two Stawell Gifts, one from scratch. He is clearly running near his best and has certainly progressed since coming under the guidance of Emile Rizk, in Sydney.
Ben Swain was not far away in third either with all runners very close. It was the sort of race that will bring crowds back to the carnivals.
2007 results
Maiden Handicap:
M.Gray 1:, A. Eiszele 2:, K.Perry 3: Time 9.68.
Encourage 1600m Handicap:
N.McKenna 1: A. Spinks 2: T.Beard 3: Time: 4.20.
Junior 1600m:
D.Hamerlock 1:, J.Langham 2: L.Hollinger 3:
Men’s Gift:
J.Ross 1: S.Crosswell 2: B.Swain 3: Time: 12.04.
Women’s Gift:
M.Kay 1: K. T.Rootes 2: M.Whiley 3: Time:?
Men’s Handicap:
P.Viney 1: J.Whiteroad 2: B.Groom 3: Time: 45.88
Women’s 400m Handicap:
N.Perry 1: C.Oakley 2: M.Davis 3: Time: 53.92.
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
D.MacFarlane 1: S.Ferguson 2: L.Kearney 3: Time: 3:59.18.
PHOTO: AWESOME: Burnie Gift winner Josh Ross snatches the 2007 Gift win off the scratch mark.
2008
Tippins may end career on Burnie Gift high
Duncan Tippins was a surprise winner of the 2008 Burnie Gift, after a some family issues that could see his career soon come to an end.
The South Australian said his wife Deborah, was pregnant and due to give birth in June, which meant he was unlikely to be able to continue his running career. ‘She’s been supporting me for years’ he said. (‘It’s good) to finally reward her with a win like this.’ Tippin’s who turns 33 in 17 days – said he was pleased to beat a talented field, which included Stawell Gift winner Adrian Mott and 2001 Burnie Gift winner Craig Brown. ‘I’ve been tempted to come down many times before,’ he said. ‘But because I’m South Australian, the focus has been on Bay Sheffield.’ He said having won the Burnie Gift it was time for him to hang up the boots – probably. ‘I’ll never say never, because I’ve retired once before,’ he said. ‘(But) my wife is pregnant, and I won’t be able to compete (how I’d like to).’ Liam Shepherd finished second while Burnie’s Ben Englund was third.
Hometown boy Englund said the third placing was the best result of his career. ‘For sure, I got a win at Hobart last year, but ever since then things have been pretty quiet,’ he said. Englund said he had been focussing on getting his body and technique right for this time of year, and it had paid off.
He missed out on making the Latrobe Gift final by 1/100th of a second to Adrian Mott – a man he pipped for third last night.
The Gift capped of a great night for the Burnie Carnival. Hot weather and a crowd of 4000 brought an atmosphere to the event, while the athletes and cyclists impressed, in the heated conditions.
Men’s Gift:
Duncan Tippins off 5.25m (SA) 1: Liam Shepherd off 8m (Vic.) 2: Ben Englund off 12m (Wynyard) 3: Time: 12.38. Adrian Mott off 2.5m, Craig Brown off 4m, Daniel Summut off 9.5.
Mills’ decade of hard work pays off
Runner finally cracks Gift in new home town
OLIVIA Mills has just become an official Burnie resident, and after 10 long years of hard work, has cracked a carnival Gift – at her new home town in the Stage Door Ladies 120m Gift.
Mills (formerly Scott), originally from Launceston, then Queensland, has recently moved to Burnie and bought a house with her partner and coach, Milton Saltmarsh. ‘It’s a very sentimental win. Milton’s father and grandfather both trained Gift winners,’ Mills said after her win. It wasn’t the only reason she wanted to win of course, but she said it came up in conversation fairly often in the lead-up.
‘It (Burnie Gift) has been a goal of my coach’s and mine for the last eight or nine months,’ she said. The seasoned sprinter said her life had been a whirlwind recently with the move, a new job and now this win after years of hard work.
‘It is the biggest win of my career …. I’ve probably been in every big final, but I’ve never come through with the goods.’
Mills has had a good season over the carnivals, with third in the Gift finals at Rosebery and Latrobe and a spot in the final of the 200m at Devonport.
She put her win down to finally getting the right mix of mind and body. ‘I set a good example for myself in the heats (with a win). I have always been second before (in the heats this season). It’s all up here,’ Mills said, tapping her head. ‘You’ve got to think you can win, or you never will.’
It was an extremely close race. Mills (10.5m) made a final metre thrust to pip Launceston’s Danielle Taylor (5.75m) by a few centimetres with Morgan Whiley (2.75m) snatching third. ‘The tracks is uphill and into the wind – I’m tailer-made physically for that. I enjoyed it, if you can really say that,’ Mills said of her ability to push through in the last moments of the race.
She praised the closeness of the heats and finals of the Gift. The other finalists were Ramona Casey, off 8m, Holly Baxter, off 9m, and Abby Chapman, off 10.5m.
And what will Mills do with her $3600 winnings? ‘Well we’ve just bought the house and I’ve been dreaming of a new car. So bills, I guess.’
2008 RESULTS
Little Athletics 120m Handicap:
Race 1: Joshua Burns 1, Race 2: Ben Clarke 1, Race 3: Gabe Dennison 1, Race 4: Mariah Payne 1, Race 5: Matthew Harvey, Race 6: Samantha Koch, Race 7: Zachary Sheehan.
Little Athletics 90m Handicap:
Race 1: Joshua Burns 1, Race 2: Ben Clarke 1, Race 3: Gabe Dennison 1, Race 4: Mariah Payne 1, Race 5: Matthew Harvey, Race 6: Timothy Sheehan, Race 7: Zachary Sheehan.
Junior 1600m Invitation Mile:
Jillian Lyle 1: Ryan Liston 2: Sam Rice 3:
BAC Invitation Sprint:
Matthew Stewart (West Launceston) 1: Matthew Hargreaves (Vic.) 2: Luke Whitney (Midway Point) 3: Time 13.22.
Masters 300m Handicap:
Jennifer MacGibbon (Vic.) 1: Mick Potter (Wynyard) 2: David Symons (Youngtown) 3: Time: 46.72.
Ladies 400m Handicap:
Kerryn Aitken (Ulverstone) 1: Michelle Davis (Barnes Bay) 2: Kristy Rootes (Acacia Hills) 3: Time: 53.90.
Men’s 400m Handicap:
Robert Garland (Vic.) 1: Andrew Howell (NSW) 2: Torin Philpott (Youngtown) 3: Time: 3.46.72.
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
Lachlan Chisholm (NSW) 1: Lachlan Carter (Vic.) 2: Sam Fergusson (Burnie) 3: Time: 4.00.11.
Encourage 1600m Handicap:
Jane Engwerde (Burnie) 1: Nathan Morey (Rosetta) 2: Josh Harris (Invernay) 3: Time: 4.09.25.
Open 90m Handicap:
Julie Swain (Somerset) 1: Kerryn Aitken (Ulverstone) 2: Daniel Sammut (NSW) Time: 3.9.62.
Maiden Handicap:
Maverick Weller (Burnie) 1: Clinton Brown (Burnie) 2: Joel Morrison (Launceston) 3: Time: 3.10.82.
Junior 1600m Invitation Mile:
J.Lyall 1: R.Liston 2: S.Rile 3:
BAC Invitation Sprint:
M.Stewart (West Launceston) 1: M.Hargreaves (Victoria) 2: L.Whitney (Midway Point) 3: Time: 13.22.
Master’s 300m Handicap:
J.MacGibbon (Victoria) 1: T.Potter (Wynyard) 2: D.Symons (Youngtown) 3: Time: 31.92.
Ladies 400m Handicap:
K.Aitken (Ulverstone) 1: M.Davis (Barnes Bay) 2” L.Rootes (Acacia Hills) 3: Time: 53.90.
Men’s 400m Handicap:
R.Garland (Victoria) 1: D.Howell (NSW) 2: T.Philpott (Youngtown) 3: Time 46.72.
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
L.Chisholm (NSW) 1: L.Carter (Victoria) 2: S.Fergusson (Burnie) 3: Time: 4:.00.11.
Ladies Gift:
O.Mills off 10.5m (Burnie) 1: D.Taylor off 5.75m (Blackstone Heights) 2: M.Whiley off 5.75m (Devonport) 3: Time 13.68. Other finalists: R.Casey off 8m, H.Baxter off 9m, A. Chapman off 10.5m.
Men’s Gift:
D.Tippins off 5.25m (S.A.) 1: L.Shepherd off 8m (Victoria) 2: B.Englund off 12m (Wynyard) 3: Time 12.38. Other finalists: A.Mott off 2.5m C.Brow off 4m, D.Sammut off 9.5m
Encourage 1600m Handicap:
J.Engwerda (Burnie) 1: N.Morey (Rosetta) 2: J.Harris (Invermay) 3: Time: 4:09.25.
Open 90m Handicap:
J.Swain (Somerset) 1: K.Aitken (Ulverstone) 2: D.Sammut (NSW) 3: Time: 9.62.
Maiden Handicap:
M.Weller (Burnie) 1: C.Brown (Burnie) 2: J.Morrison (Launceston) 3: Time: 10.82.
2009
Watkins takes out men’s Gift
A 21-year-old who believes he’s more suited to the 400m made it a South Australian double by taking out the Burnie Gift last night.
Clay Watkins joined fellow Adelaide natives Alicia Wrench-Doody in the winner’s circle as he beat a strong field to take out the rich footrace. Watkins, a backmarker starting off five and a quarter metres, held off 2006 Gift Winner Cameron Yorke, who looked strong in earlier semi-finals and heats.
John Jakeman, of O’Connor, rounded out the placegetters.
Watkins’ win means he has now completed a prestigious double in just three years, after he won the Bay Sheffield as an 18-year-old. ‘I felt terrific running here tonight. I got away well and had a strong middle section which set it up for me,’ he said.
Amazingly, despite last night’s result and fourth place in last week’s Bay Sheffield, Watkins still classifies himself more suited to longer distances. ‘My main aim is to run as fast as I can over 400 metres,’ he said. ‘That’s more my natural distance but this is a great launching pad for me.’
Like the women’s Gift winner Wrench-Doody, Watkins also found the Burnie night to be bracing, describing it as a ‘shock to the system.’ He said he had no plans of what he would do with the $11,000 purse, although he hinted that a new care might be on the shopping list.
Earlier in the day the semi-finals saw highly fancied Victoria Matt Hargreaves dispatched by Launceston’s Monbo Jetoh, while in the day’s quickest semi-final, last week’s Latrobe Gift winner Peter Walsh was sent home by Robbie James.
SA runner storms home in Women’s Gift
SOUTH Australian student Alicia Wrench-Doody described the last five days as a ‘whirlwind week’ after she took out the Women’s Gift in chilly conditions last night.
Starting off five-and-a quarter metres Wrench-Doody held off the challenge by Launceston’s Danielle Taylor to finish comfortably ahead.
Burnie teenager Sandy Loring, running in only her second Gift, put in a commendable effort, finishing in third place. The trophy and the $3600 in prize money made it a successful few day for the 22-year-old Wrench-Doody after she took out the Bay Sheffield in her home state on Sunday. She said she had given herself a chance coming into the race, but hadn’t expected to have to brave the cold along with her fellow competitors. ‘I’m freezing but very happy,’ she said. ‘I wouldn’t normally go outside in this sort of weather, but it’s really good to come interstate and win.’
Wrench-Doody’s rich vein of form is especially amazing as this is only her second year back in competitive athletics. She said she had only recently felt like she was getting back to her best form.
Last night’s final had always been sharing as a head-to-head battle between Taylor and Wrench-Doody after the two had earlier coasted through their semi-final side by side.
Wrench-Doody’s triumph also made it a mainland clean sweep of the Coastal carnivals after Victorian Tabitha West triumphed in both Devonport and Latrobe over the last week.
Happy new year for interstate athletes in Burnie
MAINLANDERS plundered the major prizes at yesterday’s Burnie New Year’s Carnival with the men’s and women’s gifts and wheelraces all going interstate.
South Australians recorded a double in the gifts, with Clay Watkins, 21 winning the Men’s Gift and Alicia Wrench-Doody backing up her Bay Sheffield Gift win in Adelaide on Sunday by taking out the Burnie Women’s Gift last night.
West Australian Douglas Repacholi held out a charge of the backmarkers in the Men’s Wheel denying crowd favourite and Coastal Olympian Mark Jamieson of a second successive wheel and his third win in the coveted race.
In the Women’s Wheelrace, 14-year-old Kalya Salopek stunned the field with a great effort off the front to look a winner more than a lap from the line.
A crowd estimated by carnival officials at about 4000 people braved cold and blustery conditions to witness the program, in stark contrast to last year’s heatwave conditions.
Burnie distance runner Sam Fergusson backed up his win in the 1600m at Devonport on Tuesday night with an impressive win by more than 30m in last night’s Tasmanian 1600m.
Wood chopping was again a crowd favourite, with the traditional tree felling in the centre arena featuring a win by Burnie frontmarker Glenn Grandfield.
Deloraine teenager Luke Gutt, son of multiple world tree felling champion Matthew Gutt, won the main event in the wood chopping arena, the William Adams 300mm Standing Chop, proving himself literally a chip off the old block.
PHOTO: LAST-GASP VICTORY: Winner Clay Watkins (far right) gets away in the dying strides of the Burnie Gift from a tight field comprising (from left) Ben England, Cameron Yorke, Mombo Jetoh, Robbie James and John Jakeman. Picture: Katie McDougall.
LARGE PHOTO: STRONG TRIUMPH: Alicia Wrench-Doody (fourth left) romps home to victory in last night’s Burnie Women’s Gift, ahead of (from left) Sandy Loring, Abby Chapman, Kimberly Bush, Danielle Taylor and Morgan Whiley. Picture: Katie McDougall.
SMALL PHOTO: POPULAR WINNER: Alicia Wrench-Doody is mobbed after victory.
PHOTO: THRILLED: Clay Watkins can’t keep the smile off his face after his Gift win. Picture: Katie McDougall.
2009 RESULTS
Fairford Encourage 1600m:
D.Hamerlok (Burnie) 130m, 1: D.Reeves (Burnie) 135m, 2: D.Garland (Wynyard) 125m, 3:
Final Open 90m:
R.James (SA) 4m, 1: D.Hicks (SA) 7.5m, 2: B.Englund (Burnie) 9m, 3:
Final Maiden Handicap:
R.Mason (Hobart) 6m, 1: R.Jetoh (Launceston) 1m, 2: B.Struthers (Qld) 2m, 3:
Veteran’s 300m:
S.Taylor (Victoria) 28m, 1: D.Nettleton (Victoria) 50m, 2: D.Symons (Launceston) 32m, 3:
4x200 Interstate Realty Challenge
(SA) 1: (Vic.) 2: (TAS) 3:
Celebrity Race:
Libby (SEAFM) 1: R.Forrest 2: S.McGaffin 3:
Final 120m Women’s Gift:
Wrench-Doody (WA) 5.25m, 1: D.Taylor (Launceston) 5m, 2: S.Loring (Burnie) 12m, 3:
Final Burnie Gift:
C.Watkins (SA) 2.75m, 1: C.Yorke (WA) 5.75m, 2: J.Jakeman (TAS) 5.75m, 3:
Final 400m Women’s:
K.Rootes (Acacia Hills) 1: K.Parish (Launceston) 2: F.Fagan (Devonport) 3:
Final Men’s 400m:
N.Magree (Vic.) 1: C.Brown (Burnie) 2: J.Boden (SA) 3:
Tasmanian 1600m Handicap:
S.Fergusson (Burnie) 75m, 1: D.Brown (Hobart) 210m, 2: T.Atkins (Devonport) 115m, 3:
2010
Gift from heaven
Super Sandy’s carnival blitz – by Jonathan Mallinson
PHOTO: SERIES DOUBLE: Sandy Loring last night made a spectacular statement in Coastal carnivals history, winning two gifts in one season. She added the Burnie Gift to her win on Boxing Day at Latrobe. Picture: Katie McDougall.
BURNIE’S Sandy Loring capped off a stellar Basslink Carnival Series by taking out the prestigious women’s Burnie Gift yesterday as a part of the Basslink Carnival Series. Lorin, one of 11m, put in a scorching performance over the 120m distance to take the win just in front of Launceston’s Laura Nicholson and spring star Danielle Taylor. ‘This is so much better than Latrobe,’ Loring said. ‘It’s my biggest win by a mile.’
To page 10.
Boring night turns into a ripper of a day
Teenager sacrifices night out for Gift – By Martin Agatyn
Teenage Victorian runner Ollie Wurm admitted his most boring New Year’s Eve ever was spent watching Seinfeld in a Burnie motel room on Thursday night.
But the 19-year-old sprinter made up for it last night at the Burnie New Year’s Day Carnival with a stunning come-from-behind win in the $15,000 State Door Promotions Burnie Gift.
Starting from the middle mark of 8m, Wurm wasn’t able to keep up with the early leaders and looked to be spent by the half-way mark. But with about 30 metres to go, Wurm hit the after-burners and fought back to reclaim the lead and win from fellow Victorians Shaun Hargreaves and Matt Callard, with the time of 12.50 seconds the fastest run of the day after headwinds affected the heats and semi-finals.
An unexpected winner trained by Vasily Grischenkov, Wurm also denied yet another victory to runners from the powerful Victorian John Henry stable who have been trying for a number of years to snare the prestigious gift, last night finished second and third again. Henry, and three runners from the final, with Rob Vidler finishing sixth.
Hobart sprinter Jarred Gilroy was unable to improve on his great second in last Saturday’s Latrobe Gift, pulling a hamstring in his semi-final and limping from the track a shattered athlete. But it was all joy for Wurm last night in what was only his second attempt at the Burnie Gift. ‘It’s a big shock to me to be honest,’ Wurm said. The Melbourne teenager and reigning Australian under 20 400 metre champion raced at the Bay Sheffield Gift in South Australia on Monday and struggled through his heats. ‘Thankfully it was enough to freshen me up for Burnie,’ he said.
WOMENS GIFT
Gift from heaven
Super Sandy’s carnival blitz
BURNIE’S Sandy Loring capped off a stellar Basslink Carnival Series by taking out the prestigious women’s Burnie Gift yesterday as a part of the Basslink Carnival Series. Lorin, one of 11m, put in a scorching performance over the 120m distance to take the win just in front of Launceston’s Laura Nicholson and spring star Danielle Taylor. ‘This is so much better than Latrobe,’ Loring said. ‘It’s my biggest win by a mile.’
Loring took out her semi-final with ease from second-placed Nicholson, but all her biggest challengers were all in the first semi with Taylor and Ulverstone’s Abbey Chapman in good form.
Loring broke the finishing tape in a very brisk time of 14.20 seconds, which was one of the quickest seen in several years and beating last years’ time of 14.22 seconds, set by Victorian Alicia Wrench-Doody. ‘It’s actually the best feeling to win on my home track ,’ Loring said.
Loring said that her goal was to just to run some personal best times on the track throughout the carnival series. Backmarker Taylor off 5.5m pushed hard but the race was up front with Nicholson and Loring battling it out. Chapman finished in fourth place followed by Westbury’s Abbey Walters and Hobart’s Amy Nicholson.
Burnie trainer John Maquire has now added a third Burnie with Loring’s win yesterday. After her stunning victory in the Latrobe Gift on Boxing Day handicappers pulled Loring back a metre. The result from Latrobe mirrored the Burnie Gift with Loring winning off 12m, Nicholson and Taylor filling the minor placings in a timing of 13.72m.
PHOTO: SERIES DOUBLE: Sandy Loring last night made a spectacular statement in Coastal carnivals history, winning two gifts in one season. She added the Burnie Gift to her win on Boxing Day at Latrobe. Picture: Katie McDougall.
Acacia Hills pair take out 400m races – By Jonathan Mallinson
Acacia Hills runners have shared in the spoils winning both the men’s and the women’s 400m at the Burnie’s New Year’s Day carnival yesterday.
Carmen Oakley capped off a consistent carnival series taking out the women’s 400m handicap off 31m. Oakley powered past Victorian Stephanie Jinks, who finished second, followed by Launceston’s Courtney Lockett in third.
Devonport Gift finalist Mark Brownrigg went one better in Burnie, taking out the men’s race. Brownrigg looked gone with 50m to go, but held on to run in the arms of wife Kristy Rootes over the finish line.
Earlier the John Henry stable scored a rare triple when the Victorian’s Kevin Britian, David Tinney and Peter Walsh dominated the BAC Invitational Sprint.
Six of the best sprinters in Tasmania and the mainland were invited to line up on the start line. Launceston sprint sensation Mombo Jetoh led early but the Henry-trained trio powered in front.
Britian won comfortably off 5m from Walsh off 6m and Tinney off 6.25m. Another Henry-trained runner , Rob Vidler , proved too strong in the 90m open handicap.
2010 RESULTS
Men’s Gift 120m:
O.Wurm (Victoria) 8m 1: S.Hargraves (Victoria) 6.75m, 2: M.Callard (Victoria) 8.75m, 3: C.Yorke (WA) 8.5m, 4: J.Jakeman (ACT) 5.75m, 5: R.Vidler (Victoria) 6m, 6: Time: 12.50.
Men’s 400m:
M.Brownrigg (Acacia Hills) 43m, 1: A.Glorie (WA) 18m, 2: M.Nichols (Hobart) 32m, 3
Open 90m:
R.Vidler (Victoria) 4.5m, 1: C.James (Launceston) 7.25m, 2: R.O’Halloran (Launceston) 9m, 3:
Women’s Gift 120m:
Sandy Loring (Burnie) 11m, 1: L.Nicholson (Launceston) 10.25m, 2: D.Taylor (Launceston) 5.5m, 3:
A.Chapman (Ulverstone) 7.5m, 4: A.Walters (Westbury) 11.75m, 5: A.Nicholson (Hobart) 9.25m, 6: Time: 14.22.
Women’s 400m:
C.Oakley (Acacia Hills) 31m, 1: Stephanie Jinks (Victoria) 33m, 2: Courtney Lockett (Prospect) 38m, 3:
BAC Invitation Sprint:
K.Britton (Victoria) 1: D.Tinney (Victoria) 2: P.Walsh (Victoria) 3:
Maiden Handicap:
J.Englund (Wynyard) 8m, 1: J.Gilroy (Hobart) 4m, 2: G.Sharman (Victoria) 4.5m (re-handicapped to 3.75m after false start) 3:
Tasmanian 1600m:
G.Penney (Victoria) 130m, 1: N.Morey (Hobart) 90m, 2: A.Humphrey (Hobart) 135m, 3:
Encourage 1600m:
D.Reeves (Burnie) 130m, 1: S.Morey (Hobart) 155m, 2: H.Plapp (Devonport) 215m, 3:
Veterans’ 300m:
T.Potter (Burnie) 14m, 1: G.Mann (Austins Ferry) 42m, 2: S.Taylor (Victoria) 24m, 3:
Junior 1600m:
G.Dennison 1: C.Adams 2: E.Saint-John 3:
2011
Narrow win for South Australian Robbie James
Official Gift results delayed after trio cross finish line together
A THRILLING finish to the 2011 Stage Door Promotions Burnie Gift saw South Australian Robbie James narrowly defeat Charlie Leak and Jarrod Gilroy.
Commentator Brian Paine couldn’t pick the winner as the field of six flew across the line with the James, Leek and Gilroy finishing wining a whisker of each other.
It was South Australian James who looked like he may have just held on, he raised a finger indicating he believed he had taken out the race.
A few tension filled moments saw Brian Paine become the Burnie Carnival’s version of Andrew G from Australian Idol, as he announced the official results. The three runners stood hands on hips, until Paine confirmed that James had indeed held on.
James allowed a smile to creep across his face as he made his way over to the media scrum, while receiving pats on the back. ‘It feels amazing,’ James said. ‘I felt awesome all day. I was lucky enough to have a little bit of an easier heat and semi, saved it up for the final and luckily I got up in the end.
‘I am ecstatic I wanted this for the past year. I’ve been training for it. Youngy has got me up for December or early January and it worked. ‘I ran at the Bay on the 29th made the final there, didn’t run the final I would have liked so I came here pretty confident and then executed it well in the final luckily enough.’
There was no doubt in James’ mind that the victory was his biggest win by far. ‘I won Loxton in 2005, I came second in the Bay last year, fifth this year and I won this and it takes the cake by a mile.’
James was just as aware of those at West Park of Charlie Leek’s effort to snatch victory from his grasp in the final stages of the race. ‘I could see him from the corner of my eye coming and I though ‘Oh no’, James said. ‘I think it was yellow, I am not sure of his name, he certainly gave me a scare.’
As for what to do with the prize money, James had a few ideas. ‘I bought a house in August so a bit will go on the mortgage, my Mrs rides horses and she wants a horse float so I think I might be giving her a little bit of money, if she is nice enough I might take her out to dinner,’ he said with a chuckle.
James will now turn his attention to trying to improve ahead of the nationals. ‘I head home to Adelaide tomorrow, I really want to run amateurs I really want to get my PB (personal best) down a bit and then head to nationals and see what happens there.’
Gaffney’s win another Women’s Gift for Maguire
SOMERSET teenager Morgan Gaffney has capped off an outstanding season taking out the 2010 Burnie Women’s Gift on Saturday.
Gaffney is coached by Burnie’s John Maguire, which makes it two Burnie Women’s Gifts in a row after Sandy Loring took out the last year’s event.
The final field was one of the best Burnie has seen in recent years and included Tasmanian star Danielle Taylor, Ulverstone golden girl Abbey Chapman, Latrobe Gift winner and national 100m champion; Melissa Breen.
Gaffney started off a mark of 9m and started extremely well, her biggest threat, Breen, started from scratch and was very strong winning heat. It wasn’t until the last 40m that Gaffney really put the hard ones in to break clear of the field and win by a big margin.
‘It is just awesome, such a great feeling and backing one up for John (Maguire),’ Gaffney said. Gaffney has had a solid Basslink Carnival Series after finishing second in the Latrobe Gift Behind Walters and winning the 70m at Devonport.
‘It was one of my better runs, I was running scared with Melissa Breen coming up behind,’ Gaffney said. Gaffney said that she wasn’t sure if she had a chance in the Gift or not as anything could happen on race day. At just 18-years-old, Gaffney still has her best running days ahead of her.
After the Burnie Carnival, Gaffney will focus on the rest of the Basslink Series with Hobart and St Helens before concentrating on the state championships in March. “Hopefully at states I can defend my 100m and 200m titles’ she said.
2011 results
Open 90m Final:
J.Trannolone (S.A.) 7m, 1: L.Storta (NSW) 6.5m, 2: A.Walters (Westbury) 16.5m, 3: Time: 9.94.
Open 1600m Handicap.
S.Morey (Hobart) 170m, 1: J. Morey (Hobart) 290m, 2: J. Harries 225m, 3: Time:?
Invitational Sprint:
J.Jakeman (Victoria) 1: B. Mathews (ACT) 2: L.Storta (ACT) 3: Time: 13.46.
Veteran’s 400m:
D.Brown (West Moonah) 48m, 1: K.Rootes (Acacia Hills) 32m, 2: J.Swain (Somerset) ?m, 3: Time: 36.39.
Women’s Gift:
M.Gaffney (Somerset) 9m: 1: A.Chapman (Ulverstone) 8.25m, 2: M.Breen (ACT) scr. 3: Time 14.44.
Men’s Gift:
R.James (S.A.) 5.5m, 1: J.Leek (Hobart) 2: J.Gillroy (Launceston) 3: Time: 12.96.
Women’s 400m:
B.Connolly (S.A.) 17m, 1: A.De Le Motte (Launceston) 2: K.Rootes (Acacia Hills) 35m, 3: Time 53.73.
Men’s 1600m Tasmanian Mile:
D.Hamelok (Burnie) 120m, 1: D. Reeves (Qld) 155m, 2: G.Page (Hobart) 3: Time: 3.59.
Burnie Gift:
B.Cole (ACT) 5.25m, 1: E.Gates (TAS) 8m, 2: A.Mott (Victoria) 4.75m, 3: Time 12.129.
Women’s Gift:
L.Hilditch (Victoria) 9.25m, 1: M.Breen (Victoria) 10.25m, 2: C.Oakley (TAS) 10m, 3: Time 14.3.
Maiden 90m Handicap:
J.Sheppard (TAS) 5m, 1: C.Gray (Victoria) 4.75m, 2: A.Riddell (TAS) 4.5m, 3: Time: 9.975.
Open Handicap 90m:
J.Hilditch (Victoria) 17m, 1: E.Gates (TAS) 6m, 2: T.Sclanders (S.A.) 6m, 3: Time: 9.43.
Encourage 1600m:
K.Seaman (TAS) 135m, 1: R.Hage (S.A.) 125m, 2: D.Overton (TAS) 130m, 3: Time: 4.04.08.
BAC Invitation Sprint:
J.Ross (NSW) 0m, 1: C.Leek (TAS) 5m, 2: C.Hargreaves (Victoria) 3: Time: 12.4547.
Veteran’s 300m:
C.Brown 1: J.Hilditch 2:, D.Brown 3: Time 35.46.
PHOTO: BY A WHISTKER: Back marker Robbie James (right) wins the 2011 Burnie Gift from (left to right) Jarrod Gilroy, Charlie Leek, Lachlan Taylor, Max Waldron and James Boden.
SMALL PHOTO: An emotional James is congratulated by a member of his running stable. Pictures: Stuart Wilson.
PHOTO: A GOOD SEASON: Women’s Gift winner Morgan Gaffney.
2012
2012 RESULTS MISSING - see website
Desperately close to being first Coastal winner in 14 years
Not brooding over close finish to Gift
Philosophical in defeat, Highclere runner Eddie Gates was not interested in contemplating what could have been following Sunday night’s second placing in the Burnie Gift. Just three one-thousandths of a second separated Gates from Australian sprint champion, Brendan Cole, in what will go down as one of the closest Gift finishes in history of the Burnie New Year’s Day Carnival. ‘It was definitely a good race,’ Gates said yesterday. ‘I’m happy with how I went...... there were some pretty good runners in the field.’ Gates would have become the first Coastal winner in 14 years, since Somerset’s Shaun Turale won off 8.75m, back in 1998. Unfortunately, Sunday night’s results fell the same way so many others have for Gates over the past months. So far this season, Gates has finished second in a total of six races, including the Roseberry Gift along with the 200m and 400m handicap events on the same day, the Devonport Gift last week, the Open 90m handicap on Sunday, and of course the Burnie Gift just hours later.
‘I haven’t had a win but I’ve had a good season,’ he said. ‘It would have to be my most successful carnival so far.’
Reliving Sunday night’s race, Gates admitted he thought he had claimed the title minutes after the race. ‘I got off to a good start,’ he said.
20120005 - Gift just another second for Gates – from page 40
‘Then at about the halfway point I saw a (Cole’s) shadow coming up to me so I thought I better move a bit quicker. I lunged over the line and looked to my left and saw him cross the line too but it looked like I had him. Obviously it would have been good to win, but I’m happy with how I went.’ A strong talent on the Coast hockey scene, playing with the City Marians, Gates took up running four years ago mainly to keep fit for the sport and has been a regular at the Basslink Carnivals since.
Gates has been under the guidance of Coastal running veteran John McLaren, who coached 1984 Gift winner Gary Wescombe. While admitting there was a sense of disappointment for the young athlete, McLaren said there were plenty of positives to take from the experience. ‘I’m elated he run so well, he has worked hard for it,’ McLaren said. ‘The judges gave their decision and there was no point jumping up and down about it. You win some, you lose some, and there are still plenty more races on the horizon for him. He is a nice young lad who does as he is told, has good family support and works hard, so provided things stay on track, who knows what he can do.’
PHOTO: Win some, lose some: Edward Gates contemplates his season of six seconds, including his narrow defeat in the Burnie Gift. Picture: Kelly Slater.
Burnie Gift final makes athletic club officials earn their keep
Judges juggle footage by Shannon Shepherd, Burnie Gift
BURNIE: Athletics Club chief judge Joe Vaszocz believes if the finish of Sunday night’s Gift had occurred 15 years ago. It would have been called a dead heat.
Tasked with the job of determining who out of ACT runner and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brendan Cole and local sprinter Eddie Gates had crossed the line first, with Cole eventually deemed the winner by three one thousandths of a second. Vaczocz admitted it was the closer final he had overseen in over 20 years in the role.
‘We were fully aware people were awaiting the result, but with so much money and prestige on the line, we wanted to make sure we got it right,’ he said yesterday.
‘After consulting with my fellow judges, whose opinions I get straight away, there was some division over who had won, so that’s when we viewed the two photo finish cameras and the automatic time.
‘There are cameras on either side of the finish gates and once we had viewed the finish from both angles, we were able to make a decision.’ ‘It was desperately close but luckily for Cole, he had the perfect finish and got it 100% right, whereas Eddie got it 99.9% right.’
Vaszocz said with technology now allowing judges to view footage within thousandths of a second, gone were the days of re running races. ‘Driving home, I remember thinking to myself, the days of dead heats are probably gone,’ he said.
‘15years’ ago, this race would have been called a dead heat but due to the technology we have available to us, it’s possible to determine the narrowest of margins.’
Voices of carnivals choose their highlights
THEY are the voices who call all the actions at the Basslink Christmas Carnival Series.
From thrilling finishes to nasty crashes, Brian Paine and Steve Daley have called it all over the past week. Here they share their highlights from the 2011-2012 Coastal carnivals.
Brian Paine – Running
For me, the stand-out at Latrobe was the close finishes to both of the Gifts and wins to local runners Carmen Oakley and Andrew Robinson. It’s always goo to see our local athletes win in front of their home crowds. Sam Fergusson winning the Mile was just first class pole vaulting, there was something going on all of the time, which was a feature for me and a sign Devonport is moving with the times.
An exciting finish to the 800m men’s handicap was a highlight n night two with Alex Thomas only just beating Aaron Humphrey on the line. But the run of the carnival, if not the series for me, was Abbey de la Motte’s win in the women’s Gift. She is a fabulous little runner and we will see more of her in the future. Burnie turned on a fabulous day for spectators, with lots of highlights.
Of course the finish of the Gift was a stand out. It is the closest Gif I have called and it seemed to take a good 10 minutes to decide the result. While it would have been good to see the local boy (Eddie Gates) get up, Brendan Cole is a great runner and the win, no matter how narrow, was thoroughly deserved.
It was great to see crowd numbers up and people showing interest again and I think carnivals are turning the corner and will continue to see crowd numbers grow in coming years.
PHOTO: FINISH: After the close final of the Burnie men’s Gift, judges eventually decided the winner was ACT runner Brendan Cole, who just pipped Eddie Gate. Picture: Kelly Slater.
2013
NO STORY FOR 2013 - See website
2013 results
90m Maiden Handicap:
M.Brooks 1: B.Robinson 2: T.Mernt 3: Time: 10.42 (get handicaps)
Under 14/16 Girl’s 800m:
B.Howard 1: S.Freeman 2: S.Hammond 3: Time: 2.31.23.
Under 14/16 Boy’s 800m:
S.Pulford 1: J.Purten 2: G.Ferguson 3: Time: 2.01.58.
90m Open Handicap:
J.Usoalil 1: C.Cranfield 2: J.Howe 3: Time 10.11.
Under 14/16 Girl’s 400m:
J.Gome 1: A.Potter 2: O. Okingston 3: Time: 55.59.
Under 14/16 Girl’s 400m:
J.Downey 1: A.Hill 2: B.Randall 3: Time: 52.92.
120m Invitation Sprint:
C.Morehouse 1: A.Robinson scr 2: J. Usoalil 2.5m, 3: Time: 13.56.
1600m Junior Handicap:
W.Cleaver 1: G.Ferguson 2: R.Powell 3: Time: 4.44.73.
Masters 300m Handicap:
H.Jones 1: M.Browning 2: A.Bates 3: Time: 36.72.
Youth Girl’s Gift: Final: L.O’Toole 1:
Youth Boy’s Gift: Final: D.Murray 1:
Women’s Burnie Gift:
M.Gaffney 7.25m, 1: M.Breen scr. 2: K.Hubbard 6.25m, 3: Time: 14.14.
Men’s Burnie Gift:
J.Despard 8m, 1: A.Mott 4.25m, 2: M.Zeed 8.75m, 3: Time: 12.70.
Men’s 400m:
B.Robinson 23m, 1: J.Englund 31m, 2: J.Collier 24m, 3: Time: 46.87.
Women’s 400m:
S.Sinclair 35m, 1: S.Jinkes 35m, 2: S.Lonng 34m, 3: Time: 54.26.
Men’s 1600m Tasmanian Mile:
K.Seaman 135m, 1: M.Marantelli 100m, 2: B.Covington 110m, 3: Time: 4.03.04.
2014
Coote reigns
Win ranks with AFL grand final, says football umpire - By Brad Cole
A WET and windy West Park is a long way removed from grand final day at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, but for Adam Coote, they both comfortably ranked alongside each other yesterday.
The AFL boundary umpire pulled off the biggest win of his professional running career when he comfortably won the 2014 Legendary Men’s Burnie Gift.
The 31-year-old from Victoria is used to the big stage, having officiated in five AFL grand finals and didn’t let a false start from the lane beside him, stop him from defeating a class field in a time of 12.78 seconds. ‘It’s right up there, it’s the biggest win of my career,’ Coote said. ‘I’ve won a big 400-metre race at Bendigo and I’ve umpired some AFL grand finals on the boundary which is also an unbelievable achievement, but this is as big as those,’
Starting from an equal front mark of 9.5m, Coote’s win was delayed when fellow Victorian Maxim Mishchenko false started, sending him back a metre. From the restart, Coote was quickly out of the blocks and had the race in his keeping by the halfway mark. He beat home the only Tasmanian in the field, Hobart backmarker Jesse Usoalil (4m), with Carl Morehouse (6.5m) finishing third.
The win was also a triumph for is coach, Mark Hipworth, who was a fellow Burnie Gift winner, but had experienced little delight in the race since.
‘Mark won it in 1986, but hasn’t had a male gift winner since he has been coaching, so it’s great to win for him,’ Coote said.
‘It’s a very special race for Mark and his stable.’
2014 results
400m Junior Handicap:
L.Evans 20m, 1: E.Bell scr. 2: O.Ollington 35m, 3: Time: 57.85.
1600 Junior Handicap:
G.Ferguson scr. 1: T.Singleton 320m, 2: B. Saint-John 170m, 3:
120m Junior Girl’s Handicap:
L.James 10m, 1: O.Ollington 11m, 2: E.Bell 7m, 3:
120m Junior Boy’s Handicap:
L.Evans 6m, 1: S.Davey scr. 2: L.O’Toole scr. 3: Time: 16.10.
90m Men’s Maiden Final:
D.Murray 1: B.McCarthy 2: A.Toussaunt-Hill 3:
90m Open Handicap:
L.Stevens 1: A.Coote 2: C.Cranfield 3:
120m Invitation Sprint:
M.Hargreaves 5.5m, 1: C.Cranfield 7.5m, 2: L.Whitney 5.25m, 3: Time: 13.22.
Masters 300m Handicap:
H.Jones (TAS) 1: S.Sinclair (NSW) 2: M.Nicholls (TAS) 3: Time: 35.43.
Women’s 120m Burnie Gift:
C.Boustead (Victoria) 12m, 1: L.Castle (TAS) 9.25m, 2: A. de la Motte 7.25m, 3: Other finalists: A.Corbett (TAS), S.Loring (TAS), K.Chambers (TAS). Time: 14.56.
Men’s 120m Burnie Gift:
A.Coote (Victoria) 9.5m, 1: J. Usoalil (TAS) 4m, 2: C.Morehouse 6.5m, 3: Other finalists: M.Mishchenko (Victoria), L.Stevens (Victoria), S. Fitzpatrick (Victoria). Time: 12.78.
Women’s 400m Final:
N.Penny (TAS) 25m, 1: C.Theile (Victoria) 35m, 2: M.Davis (TAS) 32m, 3: Time: 54.51.
Men’s 400m Final:
J.Gilroy (TAS) 22m, 1: C.Gook (TAS) 47m, 2: M.Bragg (TAS) 20m, 3: Time: 47.85.
Burnie Mile:
M.Marantelli (Victoria) 90m, 1: E.Kiptoo (Ken) 20m, 2: A.Rowe (Victoria) 45m, 3: Time: 4.00.
PHOTO: CLEAR WINNER: Adam Coote wins yesterday’s Burnie Gift. Other final runners are (from left) Simon Fitzpatrick, Maxim Mishchenko, Luke Stevens, Carl Morehouse and Jesse Usoalil. Pictures: Stuart Wilson.
SMALLER PHOTO: MOBBED: Burnie Gift winner Adam Coote is mobbed by is coach and stablemates after yesterday’s in at West Park.
2015
2015 story missing see Website
Victorian frontmarker takes Gift in a thriller
PHOTO: FRONTMARKER: Simon Fitzpatrick, from Victoria, pips backmarker Jacob Despard, of Hobart, in a thrilling Burnie Gift at West Park last night. Others in the final were John Howe, Ross Lovell, Matt Hargreaves and Brady Lehman.
Geelan breaks through – Women’s Gift
Hobart sprinter never headed in her third gift final appearance – By Jordan Abell
It was a case of third time lucky for Hobart sprinter Kimberley Geelan as she led from start to finish to claim the Stubb’s Construction Women’s Burnie Gift (120m) last night. Entering the final as warm favourite, the front marker off 9m showed no signs of nerves and was never headed, stopping the clock in a time of 14.45 seconds.
Melanie Purkiss (6m) narrowly finished second with Andrew Sparrow (7m) in third. A clearly relieved Geelan was glad to have been crowned champion after two finals appearances in Burnie previously. ‘I can’t believe I won,’ she said. I knew that I had to go hard and finally I’ve pulled one off after six years (I’m) so happy. ‘It’s definitely the biggest (win) I’ve ever had. I’ve been trying for quite a while. I’ve been in three Burnie Gift finals, and today it’s been my day.’ Geelan said after a poor performance in the Latrobe Gift earlier in the Christmas carnival series, she gave herself no chance of banking the $2300 winner’s cheque at West Park. But some timely advice from coach Wayne Mason helped instil the 25-year-old with the confidence she needed. ‘I ran terribly but I put it all together today,’ Geelan said. ‘At Latrobe I lost my form halfway down the track. My coach said to me that I had to have my blinkers on and keep going, and I did that today.’ Geelan said the triumph was ‘easily’ the biggest of her career, trumping her fourth placing at the Stawell Gift last year.
The handicaps of local hopes Morgan Gaffney, a two-time winner (3.25m), and Brook Jones (7.25m), proved too great to overcome.
2015results
Maiden 90m Handicap:
S.Bryan (TAS) 2m, 1: B.McCarthy (TAS) 12.5m, 2: J.Potter (TAS) 17.5m, 3: Time: 10.54.
Invitation 120m Sprint:
L.Stevens (Victoria) 1: J.Hale (TAS) 2:, M.Zeed (Victoria) 3: Time: 12.89.
Masters 300m:
A.Phillips 43m, 1: M.Nicholls (TAS) 6m, 2: J.Hilditch (Victoria) 3: Time 36.72.
Women’s 400m:
M.Davis (TAS) 30m, 1: S.Loring (TAS) 35m, 2: A.Pedder (TAS) 29m, 3: Time: 53.71.
Men’s 400m:
M.Gowen (TAS) 22m, 1: D.Lawson-Matthew (NSW) 15m, 2: C.Gill-Vallance (NSW) 40m, 3: Time: Unknown
Under 16 Girl’s Gift Final:
O.Ollington (TAS) 3m, 1: E.Saint-John (TAS) 5m, 2: R.Bourn (TAS) 12m, 3: Time: 15.07.
Under 16 Boy’s Gift Final:
A.Toissant-Hill (TAS) 6m, 1: J.Colegrave (TAS) scr 2: J.Richardson (TAS) 6m, 3: Time: 14.19.
Burnie Women’s Gift:
K.Geelan (TAS) 9m, 1: M.Purkiss (Victoria) 6m, 2: A. Sparrow (S.A.) 7m, 3: Other finalists: L.Nicholson 8.25m, B.Jones 7.25m, M.Gaffney 3.25m. Time: 14.45.
Burnie Men’s Gift:
S.Fitzpatrick (Victoria) 9.5m, 1: J.Despard (TAS) 4.5m, 2: B.Lehmann (NSW) 8.75m, 3: Other finalists: Matt Hargreaves 6m, R.Lovell 5.75m, J.Howe 4.75m. Time: 12.78.
Men’s Mile:
K.Adams (TAS) 85m, 1: D.Kenzie (TAS) 150m, 2: D.Hamerlok (TAS) 90m, 3: Time: 4.01.41.
2016
Winner shows Gift field Howe to do it
APPROACHING the Men’s Gift final at the Burnie Carnival at West Park, it seemed the prestigious 120 metre race was shaping up as a battle between two men, Aaron Stubbs and Jack Hale.
But no-one gave John Howe that script, with the policeman who used to call Penguin home upstaging that dual in the biggest moment of his running life.
Howe (12.63) snuck home over Hale (12.69), with Alec Eiszele finishing third in 12.71.
Stubbs, the 2009 Stawell Gift winner, was fourth in 12.80. Howe who had a handicap of 5.25 metres, qualified fastest in his semi with a time of 12.73.
‘This is the best field we have had here in a long time, with the likes of Jack, Josh (Ross), Stubbsy and Robbo (Stawell Gift winner Andrew Robinson), so you couldn’t really ask for a better field.’ Howe said post-race.
‘I really just go for broke out there’. ‘The start is the best bit of my race and any ground I can make up in that first 50, I win, so I managed to hold on against those fast finishing guys.’
‘I’ve won Latrobe before and a couple of smaller ones but I had aimed on winning Burnie at some stage in my career, but thanks to Ray (coach Ray Quarrell) we got it done earlier than I thought.’
But the 30-year old is not letting the magnitude of his win go to his head, feeling there is room for improvement. ‘I still think I have a bit to go, as before the Christmas Carnivals I had some calf problems. ‘So I think with my coach Ray we can start improving again after this and build up towards state titles.’
Howe’s success capped off a sensational day of running in the Men’s Gift, with runner-up Hale providing the biggest highlight pre-final.
After breaking and then being penalised, Hale was forced to run off 5 metres in his semi-final, but put that disadvantage to one side to finish second in his semi behind Eiszele to qualify for the final.
Stubbs showed his class winning his semi final after running off scratch in a time of 12.79.
Two-time winner and Stawell and Bay-Sheffield victor Josh Ross failed to qualify for the final, but entertained the crowd non the less with a strong run in his heat, finishing second after running off scratch.
Gifts still coming after Christmas
Lilly Castle admits her win in the Devonport Gift gave her the self-belief that could back up that success at Burnie. That belief was not misplaced as the pocket-rocket from Hobart was able to outrun Kate Walters and Angela Phillips for her second big prize post-Christmas in a time of 14.44, running off a seven metre handicap. After shaking off a virus to win earlier in the week, Castle said she felt in a much better shape this time around. ‘I was on such a high off Devonport , and I was really strong coming into this, so I’m just stoked’, the Ray Quarrell-trained runner said.
‘That (Devonport) wrecked me completely, but I felt so strong all the way through that (Burnie). ‘(In between) I just ate lots and rested up and tried to mentally prepare myself. ‘I tried not to put too much pressure on myself. ‘I didn’t think I was capable of both of them until I got to Devonport and from there I knew my form was good enough.’
While the Devonport Gift was her main goal coming into the series, once she ticked that box, Castle focussed all her energy on Burnie, which paid off. Like at Burnie, she and her boyfriend Jacob Despard have a Burnie Gift each, after Despard’s win at West Park in 2013.
Castle’s win gave coach Quarrell the Gift double after John Howe’s win in the men’s race
2016 results
Open 90m Handicap:
J.Harvey (Victoria) 1: J.Colgrave (Burnie) 2: C.Cranfield 3: Time: 9.72.
Nu-Gen Girl’s 400m Run:
A.Stewart 1: A.Potter 2: R.Phillips 3: Time: 57.49.
Nu-Gen Under 13 400m Run:
S.Grave 1: J.Eldershaw 2: D.Cahill 3: Time: 1.00.86.
Invitation 120 Sprint:
R.Lovell (Launceston) 1: C.Cranfield (Berriedale) 2: A.Robinson (Riverside) 3: Time 13.00.
Masters 300m:
M.Nicholls (Bellerive) 1: T.Potter (Wynyard) 2: M.Zegveld (Launceston) 3: Time?
Women’s 400m:
S.Loring (Penguin) 1: E.Bell (Port Sorell) 2: C. Stanley (Legana) 3: Time: 53.87.
Men’s 400m:
D.McRae (Burnie) 1: J.Gilroy (Hobart) 2: D.Anastasio (Tranmere) 3: Time?
Burnie Women’s Gift:
L.Castle (Triabunna) 1: K.Walters (Deloraine) 2: A.Phillips (Victoria) 3: Time: 14.44.
Burnie Men’s Gift:
J.Howe (Bellerive) 1: J.Hale (Claremont) 2: A.Eiszele (Sandy Bay) 3: Time: 12.63.
Burnie Mile:
D.Hamelok (Ulverstone) 1: D.Reeves (Burnie) 2: R.Gregson (Victorias) 3: Time?
PHOTO: ACROSS THE LINE: Alex Eiszele third, Edward Gates, winner John Howe, Nathan Riall, Jack Hale second and Aaron Stubbs hit the line in Friday’s Burnie Gift final at West Park. Pictures: Jason Hollister.
2017
2017 RESULTS MISSING - SEE WEBSITE
Epic win for Englund in Burnie Gift
BURNIE’S Jorden Englund captured the biggest win of his eight-year running career when he crossed the line first in the 2017 Burnie Men’s Gift.
The local stretched his arms out in an emotional fashion as he crossed the line ahead of a strong field just got the better of carnivals regular Daniel Reeves and Victorian backmarker Joe Bee.
Englund ran off a mark of 10m and took the win in 12.85 and said he always felt like he had a chance once he made the final at West Park.
‘After the semi’s I knew I was in with a chance, I just knew I had to get out to a good start.’ Englund said. ‘My first race this morning I didn’t start too well. ‘I’m just really stoked to finally win it.’
Englund was embraced by friends and family as soon as he crossed the line and said it was a special moment not just for him, but for those who have supported him.
‘It means the world to not just to me but to the guys who I train with, my family, my coach. ‘I mean, I’ve been running for eight years and since day dot it’s the race you want to win. ‘It means everything.’
The Coastal football talent who plays with Wynyard featured a lot in finals over the Carnival Series.
He said while he wasn’t sure Burnie would be his event, he was just glad a local runner got the win. ‘I didn’t specifically time myself to win today that’s for sure. ‘I was trying to run as well as I could at every carnival as I always have and it just worked out on the day. ‘I knew I was just gonna get better as the day went on and thankfully it all worked out. ‘I’m just super stoked to keep it here in Burnie, one more for the Tasmanians.’
Englund blitzed his way into the final at West Park on Saturday with a time 12.81 ahead of fellow finalist Joel Bee. Daniel Reeves also stormed into the final and was among the favourites in the final running off a mark of 11m and finished second to Englund in a thrilling finish.
The win by Englund made it two for two on a local level as he followed Somerset runner, Morgan Gaffney in the women’s event.
History for Gaffney with third Women’s Gift
Morgan Gaffney became the only woman to win three Burnie Gifts as she crossed the line ahead of Olympian Morgan Mitchell on Sunday.
Gaffney held on to pip Mitchell to the line in the 2017 women’s Burnie Gift to claim her third win in the event.
The Somerset runner won the gift in 2011 off 9m and in 2013 off 7.25m but said her 2017 win topped the list.
‘You don’t get much better than that, I’m just really lucky’, Gaffney said. ‘And I won it from white, off 4.5m. ‘I think my other ones were off seven and nine but this is something special.’
Gaffney shared an emotional moment with her family following the race and dedicated her win to her coach Ricky Clarke.
‘It was more for my coach, the work that he puts into me and the sacrifices that he makes for his family. ‘I just really wanted to win this for him, and I have.’
Having the home crowd support spurred Gaffney on who said it just added to the occasion. ‘You don’t get much better than a home crowd.
‘People that don’t know you still cheer for you and I just love it.’ ‘I still can’t believe, I don’t have the words. ‘I don’t think it will sink in for another couple of days.’
Gaffney took the win with a time of 14.54 seconds ahead of Morgan Mitchell with Kiara Chambers in third. She said she could hear Morgan Mitchell coming in the last metres and the finish line couldn’t come quick enough.
PHOTO: EMOTIONAL: Jordon Englund fared his Burnie Gift win with his family as he stormed home to win on Sunday:
