A record crowd lined the famed Central Park straight on Easter Monday as the Stawell Gift delivered everything it’s known for – drama, legacy, and elite athleticism on Australia’s most historic grass track.
Photos by Luke Hemer courtesy of Stawell Gift
In the Women’s Gift, Olympic semi-finalist Bree Rizzo stunned the field and etched her name in Gift folklore, becoming just the second woman to claim victory from the scratch mark, emulating the feat of former Australian 100m record holder Melissa Breen in 2012. Her storming run from the back of the field not only showcased her class but also marked a personal milestone — she now joins husband and 2017 men’s Gift winner Matt Rizzo as the first married couple to both hoist the winner’s sash.
“It’s such an honour to win this historic and prestigious event,” Rizzo said.
“To win off scratch is just amazing. I’m sure Matt and I are going to put both our sashes together on the wall at home.”
Behind Rizzo, Chiara Santiglia (13.55 off 7.75m) and Jemma Stapleton (13.67 off 11m) completed the podium in a blanket finish that captured the essence of Gift racing.
In the men’s edition, John Evans improved from round to round, blasting to victory in 11.94 off a 9.75m handicap. The South Australian powered through the rounds, knocking out pre-race favourite Gout Gout in a stacked semi-final before holding off fast-finishing duo Jasper Thomas (12.07 off 6.5m) and Mitchell O’Neill (12.12 off 4.75m) in a tense finale.
Evans’ win carried extra weight for his coach Paul Young, who celebrated 40 years since his own Stawell triumph in 1985. In a poignant twist of fate, Young — mentored in his day by the late Ferg Speakman — now sees his own athlete claim the trophy that bears Speakman’s name.
“I’ve dreamt of this moment for 27 years as a coach,” said Young. “To see it finally happen on this stage, with a kid like John who’s worked so hard, it’s just perfect.”
There was more heartbreak for sprint prodigies Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy, who both bowed out in the semi-finals of the Backmarkers Invitational 120m Handicap, upstaged by 2023 Gift champion Ryan Tarrant, who surged home ahead of last year’s women’s winner Chloe Mannix-Power.
Olympic 800m semi-finalist Peyton Craig capped off the day in style with a polished win in the Invitational 1000m Handicap. Guided by distance icon Craig Mottram, Craig (off 3m) tracked rising 17-year-old Daniel Williams (6m) before timing his final move to perfection to win in 2:19.24.
“I know Dan’s in good form and I knew he’d be a good person to follow,” Craig said post-race. “Coming off the final bend I was pretty confident I could kick clear — it’s a great feeling to win here.”
As the sun set on Central Park, the 2025 edition reaffirmed what the Stawell Gift continues to represent: where history meets the next generation, and where even the brightest stars must earn every step on the sacred grass.
