STAWELL GIFT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 12

STAWELL GIFT

160 ATHLETES ENTER AUSTRALIA’S BLUE RIBAND (By “Discus.”) The Stawell Gift, Australia’s blue riband for professional athletes, will lie staged by the Stawell Athletic Club on Easter Saturday and Monday. Allowing for several nominations which have been held over pending compliance with the rules of the Victoria Athletic League, over 16G entries have been received. It is one of the most representative entries for years, and includes C. H. Hearn (last year’s winner), L. Cooper (world's sprint, champion and winner in 1928), J. E. Curran (winner 1924), Tim Banner (N.S.W.), former world’s sprint champion and winner in 1925; Tommy Dunne (Kerang), runner-up to Miles in the 1927 .Jubilee Gift ; R. M. Johnson (a place-getter last year); S. J. Kenny, who on two occasions has been backed to win more than £300; Harry Moy, runner-up to Tim Banner; R. S. .Murphy (Q.), olio of the favorites for the “Mel bourne Thousand” two years ago; Frank Spmfell. a former place-getter and winner of the Laneeiield Gift ; R. J. Northeast, fourth last year; Austin Robertson, former Victorian public schools chain pion, runner-up to Lynch Cooper in the world's sprint last year, and winner of the Melbourne Thousand in 192-8; L. C. Bitgg (Tasmania’s big hope): R. Costin. runner-up in the . Melbourne Thousand last year); Harry Douglas, winner .of tpe Sale, Warrnambool and Jeparit Gifts ; R. B. Francis, a big favorite last year, who was run out in the semi-final by the winner; T. J. H.irvie, one. of .the favorites for the 1928 Gift; Charlie Milburn (former sprint champion of Victoria) ; J. J. O’Sullivan (winner of Hid Wahgar.ittii Gift on two occasions); L. It. Parker (a place-getter .in the 1929 Ararat Gift), and H. W. Porcival, the young bank clerk, who, a few years ago, caused a. sensation by his running, in Gippsland. The handicappers, Messrs. A- Boston and A. James, have had a difficult task, which lasted over a week.

Last year tlie total number of entries for all events was 879. but this year the 900 riiark will be exceeded.