Some of Australia’s best professional runners are on their way to Keilor for Saturday’s 67th Keilor Gift.
The meeting is one of the most hotly contested race days on the professional running calendar, with events ranging in length from 70 metres to 1600-metre handicaps.
The main races, to be held during the night session, will be the men’s and women’s gifts.
A main contender in the men’s race is two-time previous winner Paul Tancredi, who returns in hot form having won last month’s Wangaratta Gift.
Joining him in the field will be Noddy Angelakos, runner-up in the Maryborough Gift on New Year’s Day.
Angelakos was also a winner of the Rye Gift in January and the Ballarat Gift earlier this month.
Also entered is New South Wales-based runner Will Roberts, winner of the Botany Bay Gift on Australia Day.
The women’s event, known as the Billie Jo Petersen Memorial, will be headlined by Grace O’Dwyer.
The speedster is a former winner of the Stawell Women’s Gift.
Local hope and defending champion Megan Mahon will also be in the field.
The day isn’t just about the racing, though, with the wood-chopping events always a crowd pleaser.
More than 70 axemen have entered this year’s fixtures, with finals to be held in the main arena during the night session.
The first races kick off about 1pm on Saturday at Keilor Recreation Reserve, Old Calder Highway, Keilor.
