PALMER WINS HIS THIRD FLAGSTAFF HILL GIFT
Evergreen sprinter David Palmer became the first ever back to back winner of the Flagstaff Hill Gift last Friday night, in what was the 3rd time he has taken out SA’s final 120m Gift before the Easter Stawell Gift. In what turned out to be a terrific battle of two dual winners of the race, Palmer added to his 1999 and 2007 Flagstaff Hill Gift victories by narrowly defeating 1997 and 2004 winner Aaron Harrison. The consistent Shaun Ryder also ended up on the dais, while the final also featured recent Nippys Loxton Gift victor Ben Koschade (5th) and Glenelg Gift title holder Wallace Long-Scafidi (8th).
Another evergreen veteran, Geoff Troiano, finished on top of the dais in the 550m Open John Dawkins Memorial after a gutsy front running display. A runner-up in the race behind Leon Burckhardt in 2007 and a winner of the 2004 version of the race, Troiano gave no one else a chance to win his second 550m Open final for the season.
The women’s races were won by Kim Letton (120m) and Zoe Kennedy (400m), Letton creeping closer to the Women’s Sprinter of the Year award and Kennedy continuing her good form after her recent win in the Camden Women’s Classic Consolation.
A definite highlight of the night was the 400m Novice final, where race favourite Euan Currie paid the price for trying to emulate Duncan Tippins’ Camden Classic victory, with the hot early pace allowing Flagstaff Hill runner Ben Crawford to time his run to perfection to break his novice status. SA Athletic League President Brendan Golden maintained his solid form to battle on well for second.
Other races saw victories to quality veteran David Wujek (70m Over 35s), newcomer Ben VanDerVlag (70m Under 20s) and recent Ararat mile winner Gregor Dingwall (1600m Over 35s). On an evening which will be remembered for its chilly conditions, those in attendance will also remember a significant moment in the sport, with SA Athletic League Life Member Brian Hart presented with a sash acknowledging his 30 years of starting.
RESULTS
mhm Business Solutions 120m Open Flagstaff Hill Gift
1st – David Palmer (11.75m)
2nd – Aaron Harrison (11.25m)
3rd – Shaun Ryder (12.25m)
Time: 12.52secs
Jackson Auto Repairs 550m Open John Dawkins Memorial
1st – Geoff Troiano (72m)
2nd – Mark Beveridge (55m)
3rd – Bryce Watkins (22m)
Time: 1min 13.23secs
70m Open
1st – Aaron Harrison (6.75m)
2nd – David Gross (6.5m)
3rd – Michael Coughlan (9.25m)
Time: 7.64secs
70m Over 35s
1st – David Wujek (5.25m)
2nd – Ali Saliu (9.75m)
3rd – Paul Brattoli (10.5m)
Time: 7.94secs
70m Under 20s
1st – Ben VanDerVlag (8.5m)
2nd – Jordan Tronnolone (4.0m)
3rd – Ben Kelly (7.5m)
Time: 7.74secs
120m Women’s Gift
1st – Kim Letton (14.5m)
2nd – Zoe Kennedy (15.5m)
3rd – Alicia Wrench-Doody (7.75m)
Time: 14.22secs
400m Women
1st – Zoe Kennedy (43m)
2nd – Lauren Hyde (43m)
3rd – Courtney Evans (30m)
Time: 56.51secs
400m Novice
1st – Ben Crawford (40m)
2nd – Brendan Golden (55m)
3rd – Euan Currie (28m)
Time: 50.73secs
1600m Open
1st – Gregor Dingwall (235m)
2nd – Christopher Ross (185m)
3rd – Matthew Fenech (135m)
Time: 4mins 17.13secs