Domaschenz, running off 61m, opened her account for the season in the open 400m handicap, while McGrath (26m) had his first taste of success in the Val Stewart Memorial backmarkers’ 400m handicap.

The Ballarat duo provided a big finale to the two-day carnival for coach Peter O’Dwyer, who earlier on Sunday was presented with a certificate by the Australian Athletic Confederation recognising his achievement as national coach of the year for 2014-15.

Domaschenz said while reaching gift finals was always a priority, she was becoming more suited to 400m.

She said she was getting stronger as each season passed and the longer distance suited her a long stride, particularly since returning from hamstring trouble.

With just 0.376 seconds separating the first five, Domaschenz said the home crowd had played a significant part in getting her across the line in a race she also won two years ago.

“It’s always great to run in front of family and friends, and all the POD Squad.

“It’s a really motivating.”

She had no doubt having this type of support improved her performance.

McGrath edged out stablemate Stuart Aberdein by 0.088 seconds to experience his maiden Victorian Athletic League victory in his second season on the circuit.

The 20-year-old described the achievement as “massive”.

”It’s unreal. It’s taken a lot of hard work, six days a week.”

McGrath said he had taken up running seriously after getting a taste of it as part of his training for the St Patrick’s College rowing program. He was captain of boats at St Pat’s.

McGrath grabbed the lead in the shadows of the tape after gaining what looked like being an unlikely  inside run in the home straight.

He said he looked like being blocked for a run on entering the run to the line before it opened up for him.

While he saved ground, Aberdein was forced to go around the field and stake his claim down the outside.

The POD Squad rounded out the carnival by taking out one of the fun events of the meet – the men’s stable 4.x200m relay.

WHILE Ballarat distance runner Nathan Hartigan did not get to stand on top of the podium, he put in two of the most impressive runs of the Ballarat Gift Carnival.

Coming off backmarks, Hartigan signalled a return to something like his best with a third in the open 3200m on Saturday and second in the open 1600m on Sunday - finishing hard on each occasion.