Overview

• Gout Gout, running off a 1-metre handicap, won his heat in 12.31 seconds in his Stawell Gift debut.
• Lachlan Kennedy, starting from a 0.25-metre handicap, clocked 12.23 seconds to win his heat, the third-fastest time overall.
• John Evans (9.75m) was the fastest qualifier for the semifinals with a time of 12.13 seconds, while defending champion Jack Lacey (6m) also advanced.
• The semifinals and finals of the 120m handicap race, offering a $40,000 prize for each winner, will take place on Easter Monday.
• In the women’s event, Bree Rizzo (13.91s) and defending champion Chloe Mannix-Power (13.95s) won their heats off scratch.