Runners head for the line in last year’s One Mile Gift handicap race at the Ipswich Turf Club.
The two main foot races being conducted on Saturday afternoon at the Ipswich Turf Club.
$5000 One Mile Gift at 3.25pm (sponsored by St. Andrews Ipswich Private Hospital). Handicaps in brackets.
Jack Anstey (45): 19 year-old, trained by Tom Bradbury. State 1500 champion with a personal best of 3.48. The class runner of the field. Still a chance off the back mark.
Glen Yarham (60): A 3.51 runner over 1500m who won this race in 2011 when off the back mark. He was third here in 2012 but is returning from an injury. Don’t discard.
Brendan Press (70): 20 year-old trained by Pat Clohessy, with a PB of 3.54 for 1500m. On the way up and is a good chance.
Jay Twist (80): A noted 10km runner. May find these a bit too quick.
Josh Nolan (90): 29 year-old school teacher from Victoria. He was a finalist at 2016 Stawell Mile final. Distance no worry.
Callum Davies (115): Student trained by Brian Chapman who has a stable of many winners at middle distance. Should be one tough cookie.
Daniel Parnell (140): 2015 One Mile Gift winner. Each way chance even with a tougher handicap.
Chevy Black (155): Has a PB of 4.05 a few years ago for 1500m. Can still make it hard for the back markers.
Clay Dawson (175): Self-trained school teacher distance runner. An experienced runner on this track. An each way chance as he finished fifth in the One Mile Gift of 2014 and also sixth in 2012.
Murray Goodwin (185): 2015 Stawell gift winner coached by Brett Robinson on the Gold Coast. The fastest man in the race but will he have the endurance?
Jack Warner (190): Has been the runner up of this race for the past two years. Maybe this could be his time of glory.
Aidan Hobbs (200): Distance runner trained by Pat Clohessy stable. May find others a bit quick but the handicap does help here.
Andrew Dey (215): Another winner of this race in 2013 and knows the track well. A big chance by finishing fifth in 2015 and the same placing in 2012. Having another crack at the major end of the prize.
Caleb Sadler (220): Won the Junior Mile Gift in 2014 but may find the older runners a bit stronger.
Lucinda Crouch (220): The current open 1500m champion. She will ensure no-one can rest on their laurels. A great chance.
Ryan Bidner (265): Was the runner up in the Mulgowie Mile Gift in 2015 so the distance is not a worry. Well experienced.
Tamara Carvolth (285): Was the inaugural Junior Gift winner in 2006. Competed for Australia in World Cross Country events. Must be a chance off this mark.
Larissa Chambers (300): A top sprinter but has never raced past 400m. Will be tested over this distance.
Kevin Grace (300): A farmer from Boonah who has won the 1996 Ipswich Lightning Gift of 110m. He is now running in masters races with some success.
Melissa Roberts (300): Likes the longer distances of 5000m races but this handicap will be of great assistance on the sand track.
SELECTIONS: Tamara Carvolth 1st, Jack Warner 2nd, Clay Dawson 3rd, Jack Anstey 4th.
Open 300m Gift at 1.25pm (sponsored by Queensland Athletic League). Handicaps in brackets.
Mitchell Williams (7): Former Stawell gift winner of 2011 coached by Brett Robinson on the Gold Coast but likes races over the shorter journey. Will find the distance tough. Beach sprinting is his favourite.
Leslie Snuderl (22): Has won several gifts over the last few years and was third in the Gold Coast 120m Gift for 2016. Will be running on at the finish.
Scott Tuohy (24): Was the 2012 Mulgowie 120m Gift winner and has run some good 400m races. Was second here in 2013 and won the prestigious 550m King of the Hill at Griffith University Brisbane in 2015. Should finish hard if fit.
Alex Swainston (31): The darkhorse of the field, training hard. Should be thereabouts.
Chris Nobbs (33): Another runner whose form is hidden but is off a good mark. Should be in the firing line at the finish.
Lorenz Ryan (38): Has been training hard for this but new to the sand track. This may test him at the finish.
Larissa Chambers (42): A specialist female sprinter who will be in this for a long way.
Steven Graham (43): A Masters athlete who does a lot of crossfit workouts and should be fit enough. The sand track will test.
Wayne Adams (48): Ran in the 2015 One Mile Gift and in the 2012 300m Gift. Could be a good chance off this mark.
Erica Hungerford (51): New here and may find this a little tough against such strong opposition.
Harley Wilkinson (53): May find the back markers roaring pass in the last few metres.
Elizabeth Melrose (62): Has trained especially for this and wants to let the back markers know that they have some opposition.
Paul Adams (115): A 79 year old veteran who will be in front for a long way. Ran in this race in 2013 and was run down when off 95m.
SELECTIONS: Wayne Adams 1st, Lorenz Ryan 2nd, Paul Adams 3rd, Leslie Snuderl 4th.
The Junior One Mile Gift is being run at 2.45pm.
