The Victorian Athletic League (VAL) has announced handicaps for nearly 1000 athletes set to compete in the 2025 Powercor Stawell Gift, running from Saturday, April 19, to Monday, April 21, at Central Park, Stawell.
Now in its 143rd year, Australia’s richest footrace will attract the nation’s fastest sprinters, some making their debut on the historic grass track. The three-day carnival culminates on Easter Monday with the iconic Powercor Stawell Gift and Powercor Women’s Gift, each awarding $40,000 to the winner.
Following the Australian Athletics Championships in Perth, standout names include Lachlan Kennedy (0.25m), Gout Gout (1m), Jacob Despard (1.75m), Jack Hale (2m), and Bree Rizzo (0m), all preparing to challenge seasoned pros from the backmarks.
Defending champions Jack Lacey and Chloe Mannix-Power return, aiming to achieve what’s only been done once in event history – back-to-back wins. Lacey will start from a 6m mark, while Mannix-Power, after an exceptional amateur season, will also begin from scratch (0m).
Lacey sees the challenge ahead and believes Ballarat’s Patrick ‘Paddy’ Martin (8.5m) will be one to watch: “We have great talent coming with Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy,” said Jack. “But there are many great contenders from the Victorian Athletic League this year – Dash Muir (7.75m) from Melbourne, John Evans (9.75m) from Adelaide, but my pick is Patrick Martin.”
Kennedy, whose rise from rugby to athletics has turned heads, is ready to embrace the challenge: “Competing at Stawell has always been a goal of mine. The event’s rich history and the opportunity to compete for a big prize purse is exciting. I’m running well and give myself every chance for a win in Stawell.”
A highly anticipated matchup between Kennedy and teenage sensation Gout Gout is set to thrill fans, with both athletes displaying outstanding form this season.
Athletes with higher handicaps are also expected to make their mark. Gold Coaster Tim Delahunty (8.25m), Newcastle’s Jasper Thomas (6.5m), and from John Evan’s stable South Australians Jesse Cordoma (8.75m) and Corey Baker (9.5m), are all in strong contention.
Facing off against Kennedy and Gout, some competitors shared a mix of admiration and nerves: “Pretty scary, to be honest,” said John Evans. “They both have been running extremely well, so it’s going to be intense trying to hold them off for as long as I can.”
“Absolutely terrified! Gout’s a superstar!” said Jesse Cordoma. “It will be incredible to see him race in person, and honestly, an absolute honour to line up alongside him.”
“Gout Gout is such an extraordinary talent and a gift to Australian sprinting,” said Corey Baker.
2018 Stawell Gift champion and Australian relay team member Jacob Despard agrees the pressure will be on: “I’m excited to race Gout and see if the hype is real. Gout is an incredible talent, but he’s only 17 and hasn’t proven himself against the men yet. We need to remember he is still a kid. Let him develop and grow without putting too much pressure on him.”
In the Powercor Women’s Gift, Bree Rizzo and Chloe Mannix-Power will chase down a strong field including 2019 winner Lexi Loizou (2.75m) and Queenslander Jess Mead (7.25m).
Jess credits her improvement to training with Mannix-Power: “Chloe has been a huge help. She’s given me advice that I’ve taken on board and taken into my running. What she did last year – winning from the back mark – was really special. It’s inspired me so much. But at the end of the day, I just want to run my own race and be the best I can be.”
She also praised Rizzo’s presence: “What Bree does in this sport is really cool and inspiring. Having her compete at Stawell alongside us will be exciting.”
With her form building at the right time, Mead heads into Easter Monday confident and composed.
2019 champion Alexia Loizou also returns with strong form, following a standout run at the Rye Gift in January – her fastest ever over 120m. With only one woman, Sue Carr, having ever won the Women’s Gift twice, Lexi has the chance to make history.
Other women in the mix for Easter Monday’s final include Nyajima Jock (3.5m) from Ballarat, Olympian Ellie Beer who will also contest the Lorraine Donnan 400m (6m), Kayla Montagner (7m) from outside Cairns, Clare de Salis (7.75m) from Canberra and Jemma Stapleton from Melbourne (11m).
“It’s always so exciting when the handicaps are released for the Powercor Stawell Gift, and this year it has gone up a notch!!” said presenter Jason Richardson. “The chase is on!!
“The best sprinters from our nation like Lachie Kennedy, Gout Gout, Bree Rizzo and defending champion Chloe Mannix-Power will be roared on by a capacity crowd as they chase some quality middle and front markers! It’s awesome to have these young guns competing in our most historic and iconic event!!!” commented Richo.
Vikings Athletics coach Brett Robinson, who has trained a record six Stawell winners including Mannix-Power, sees promise in the returning stars: “In the right semifinal, I think Bree and Chloe, running from the back, can get themselves through to the final.”
As for the Women’s Gift outcome? Robinson says it’s wide open: “The girls’ field is as open as I have seen for many years. Hallie Martin has caught my eye for the last couple of seasons and I think that this year could be her turn. She comes from a great squad (POD Squad Ballarat) that knows how to stage their run in.”
He’s also looking forward to the men’s showdown: “It’s amazing to have Gout Gout at Central Park, he is such an entertainer. I think he will have his work cut out for him to challenge the lads (with handicaps above) 8m.
“Both Tim Delahunty and Pat Martin seem the most ready to go. From the back marks, Jack Hale will be the most dangerous and I would love to see him final. As a Gold Coaster, if we aren’t in the mix I would love to see Delahunty salute on Easter Monday.”
2017 champion Matt Rizzo is excited to see new talent emerge: “It’s fantastic to see that Kennedy and Gout Gout will be making their debut at this year’s Stawell Gift. They’re both world class athletes, and if they arrive in top form and hungry to win, they’ll be a real handful off the scratch mark all weekend.
“However, middle markers like Jasper Thomas and Tim Delahunty are likely to make a strong impact early and will certainly provide a challenge to the back markers. But if Kennedy and Gout show up in personal best shape, we’re in for an electrifying and tightly contested Stawell Gift weekend.”
Rizzo also praised his new wife, Bree (Masters) Rizzo: “It’s fantastic to see Olympians like Bree entered in this year’s Women’s Stawell Gift. Her speed is certainly world class, and with her background as a former beach sprinter, the grass surface really plays to her strengths. She’s a natural chaser, and when the crowd gets behind her, she always seems to find another gear.
“She’ll be coming home fast from the back mark while closing the gap on the front markers. Of course, as her husband, I know just how focused and capable she is and if she executes her rounds well, she’s a genuine contender.”
For the full list of handicaps visit the VAL here >> https://val.org.au/index.php?id=27
Please note that handicaps are subject to change based on any new or undeclared performances prior to the start of the race.
The 2025 Powercor Stawell Gift will run from April 19 to 21. Alongside elite racing, the carnival offers family-friendly entertainment, with Fashion’s Day on Easter Saturday and Family Day on Easter Sunday. The finals of both the Powercor Stawell Gift and Women’s Gift will be held on Easter Monday.
All events will be broadcast live and free on 7Plus across the weekend, with live coverage on Channel Seven from 11:30 am AEST on Easter Monday. Tickets are available now via Ticketek.
By Stawell Gift
Posted 16/4/2025
