The 34-year-old said he had been feeling the pressure of not having won one of the “big ones” – fearing time might run out.

He said he was sure he would now begin to enjoy his running much more, agreeing that taking out the $12,500 Freight Bar and Restaurant Ballarat Gift at the Eastern Oval was a monkey off his back.

“I’m really thankful. It’s a top race, a quality field,” an emotional Angelakos said as he struggled to find the words to describe how he felt.

Angelakos (11.5m) from East Keilor ran down Darren Whittaker (12.00m), with Dean Dobric (10.25m) third in a 120m dash dominated by the outmarkers in 12.627 seconds. He went through the Gift unbeaten – winning his heat on Saturday and semi-final earlier on Sunday.

The Ballarat Gift title comes in what is proving to be easily his best season in a career going back more than 15 years. He also has a win in the Rye Gift and seconds in the Maryborough and St Albans Gifts.

Angelakos said Rye had been his biggest success up to Ballarat, which he put in another class.

Three Ballarat athletes advanced from Saturday’s heats into the semi-finals – Liam Procaccino, Rob Lehmann and Shane Woodrow – after being among the best losing times. They all drew the semi-final won by Angelakos.