Duo in race for history at Stawell

REIGNING Stawell Gift champion Jacob Despard is confident he can become only the second back-to-back winner of Australia’s richest foot race despite being back marker for the sprint on Monday.

Despard and the Gold Coast’s defending women’s champion Elizabeth Forsyth will be attempting to do what only one athlete has achieved in the 137-year history of the Stawell Gift, when the great Bill Howard took consecutive wins in 1966 and 1967.

With a handicap of 0.75m, Despard, 22, is confident he can be at his best this Easter. Recent form says he will, having recently clocked a personal-best time of 10.40sec over 100m at the Sydney Track Classic.

“I’ve done the work and improved a lot since last season,” he said.

“Training is the best it’s ever been and I’m on track to really turn the heat up on Easter Monday and defend my title.”

It will be a new experience for Despard going to the meeting as defending champion.

“I’d comfortably say I’m the quickest guy in the field so I’m ready for the challenge,” Despard said. “When I was younger, as soon as the marks would come out I’d search through and see who the back marker was, and look up to that person over the weekend. “Now I am that person.” Despard won last year’s title in 12.11sec to bank the $40,000 purse for first place.

“Going back to back is something most winners would dream of, it would be unreal,” Despard said.

Heats start on Saturday, with finals on Monday.