Ballarat Gift: mates help Wiltshire over line

By Melanie Whelan
Updated November 2 2012 - 4:14pm, first published May 1 2011 - 11:59am

PUMPING his fist as he crossed the gates, Matt Wiltshire achieved exactly what he had set out to win at Eureka Stadium.Wiltshire’s win in the $1000 restricted 120-metre handicap completes a novice double, following his breakthrough win at Stawell last week.It has been a big week for the Alfredton sprinter, trained by Peter O’Dwyer, who reached the semi-finals of the Stawell and Ballarat gifts.“I’ve hit my prime at the right end of the season and have been feeling really good, the best I have all year,” Wiltshire said.“I was really going for this one (the novice) but wanted to do well in the Gift too.“I was second in my Gift semi and just couldn’t get there in the end.”Wiltshire, off the 7.75m-mark, was clear winner across the line in a time of 12.43.Werribee’s Chris Hargreaves (8.25m) was second with Queenslander Ben Mispelhorn (6.5m) third.Wiltshire edged out Hargreaves in qualifying heats on Saturday.The restricted 120m event is open to runners who started the VAL season with novice status, even if they had won a title since.Wiltshire, aged 19, entered the final as firm favourite and was thrilled to capture the sash.“It’s fantastic. I’ve still got butterflies actually,” Wiltshire said when he stepped off the podium.“I was most nervous at the start with everyone watching me.“A couple of mates had money on me, too. I didn’t want to let them down.“My odds were too short by the time I had a look, making me favourite. My mates put too much money on me.”The restricted 120m sash is named in honour of Hec Wilson, who trained Wiltshire’s grandfather John Wiltshire, which the young Wiltshire said was a nice touch.

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