Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy will be looking to qualify for their first Stawell Gift final on Easter Monday – but their path to the showpiece 120-metre race will not be easy.
The pair dazzled in their respective heat races to book their spots in the semi-finals, which are set to take place from 12.43pm.
But Gout has been drawn in the same semi-final heat as 28-year-old John Evans, who was tipped by Stawell Gift expert Nick Fiedler to finish third in the final, while Kennedy has been drawn in the same semi-final heat as 17-year-old Dash Muir, who Fiedler backed to reach the final.
Six men – the winners of the six semi-final heats – will race in the final for $40,000.
Kennedy, who has a handicap of 0.25 metres, has been drawn in the first semi-final heat, while Gout will line up in the sixth semi-final heat off a mark of 1.00m.
Lachlan Kennedy and Gout Gout embrace following heats for the Powercor Stawell Gift.
Lachlan Kennedy (left) and Gout Gout embrace following their heats at the Stawell Gift. Getty
Evans set the fastest time of the heats when he clocked 12.13 off a mark of 9.75m.
Kennedy is not only set to race Muir, whose handicap is 7.75m, but 2018 champion Jacob Despard, who’s running off 1.75m.
Lachlan Kennedy (left) and Gout Gout embrace as the latter celebrates winning the 200m title at the 2025 Australian athletics championships. Kennedy was disqualified for a false start.
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Kennedy said he had more to give after racing in the heats and was hopeful he could “put on a show” once again on Monday.
“I’ve watched this Gift many times. Even before I started doing track, you always watch this as it’s a great event,” said Kennedy, who has a 100m personal best of 10.00 seconds.
“It’s got a whole lot of history behind it and I’m just honoured to be able to run here and be able to put on a show.
“I’ve got heaps more in the tank and hopefully we can go even faster in the semi and the final because I’m going to have to.”
Jasper Thomas was the second-fastest qualifier for the semi-finals and will race against 2023 Stawell Gift winner Ryan Tarrant.
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