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Wroe the man to watch at Stawell

Australian 400m champion Sean Wroe has been marked with an ‘X’ on his back, as the man to beat at the 128^th running of the Australia Post Stawell Gift.

For the first time in the history of the event, Australia’s 100m, 200m and 400m champions, Joshua Ross, Aaron Rouge-Serret and Wroe will all race in the Gift at Central Park, and the three men met today to preview the weekend’s competition.  

Branded as one of the favourites following the release of the handicaps, Wroe will start off 4.5m with Rouge-Serret (1m) and Ross (scratch) chasing him from behind.

Wroe was wary of the talented field and played down his favouritism.

“It will be my first time at Stawell, my first time to run on grass and my first 120m race,” Wroe said in an attempt to divert attention away from his chances.

“They are all quick guys.  You never know who is ahead of you (at the start) - they are the ones you have to look out for.”

However the $40,000 prize on offer for the winner is certainly a major carrot for Wroe and the other 169 entrants chasing the richest prize in Australian athletics.

“I see that $40,000 cheque and I would like a piece of that."

2008 Stawell invitation backmarkers champion and Australian sprinter of the season Rouge-Serret is hoping to continue his good form at Central Park this weekend but is aware of the threat Wroe creates.

“The great thing about Stawell is that it’s anyone’s race, but Sean off 4.5m will be tough for anyone to run down.

“To win at Stawell would be almost as good as national’s.  It has a great history; a lot of great names have won at Stawell.

Two-time Australia Post Stawell Gift winner Joshua Ross is chasing history and won’t be lying down to the likes of Wroe.

“It would be an absolute dream to win the Gift three times.  It would be a real honour to produce my own piece of history.

“Every time I step onto the track I am there to win.

“He (Wroe) could be a threat, but he has never run on grass.  I think he can make the finals.”

A win this Easter Monday would make Ross the only man to win the Australia Post Stawell Gift on three occasions, and to win twice off scratch. 

Major sponsor, Australia Post, has again supported the Australia Post Stawell Gift ensuring it remains Australia’s richest footrace with a $60,000 prize pool.

Australia Post’s Commercial Manager Vic/Tas Peter Lavis is thrilled to be involved for the 15^th year running.

“The Gift, which has been held in all but four years since 1878, has long been a premier event on the Australia Sporting Calendar,” Lavis said.

“As Australia’s longest continually operating organization it is fitting that we have partnered with Australia’s most prestigious footrace.  Australia Post has been the naming rights sponsor of the Gift for 15 years, making it our longest ever sponsorship.”

The 2009 Australia Post Stawell Gift carnival kicks off with a punter’s dream at the Calcutta and Call of the Cards on Friday night and is followed by three days of thrilling racing, stunning ladies day fashion and family entertainment, culminating in the 128^th running of the Australia Post Stawell Gift.