MELBOURNE Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne shapes as the favourite to take out the Ballarat Sportsperson of the Year award on Wednesday night.
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Payne’s miraculous victory in November last year might be enough to get her across the line against a host of outstanding candidates, in one of the biggest award nights in Ballarat sport.
President of the Ballarat Sportsmen’s Club Paul Bilson told The Courier Payne had accomplished something special.
“It was a huge effort, to be the first woman to win at the Melbourne Cup,” Bilson said.
“To actually get a gig is hard enough, but to then win was outstanding. It's an international event seen all around the world.”
Despite the incredible achievement, Payne faces stiff competition for the prestigious award.
Those nominated include Payne and athletes Collis Birmingham, Jared Tallent and Grace O’Dwyer, as well as star table tennis player Rory Carroll.
Birmingham is the most recent winner of the award. He claimed bronze in the World Relay Championships and has qualified for the World Indoor Championships in 2016.
Tallent’s history in the award is remarkable, having won it five times, while O’Dwyer rose to fame with her incredible victory as a 15-year-old in the Stawell Gift last year.
Meanwhile, Carroll received entry into the Rio Paralympic Games after acquiring a gold medal in the Thailand Open. He also claimed silver in the Spanish table tennis Para Open in Barcelona.
Bilson said it was one of the strongest fields in a long time.
“It’s incredible, the quality of achievements this year – these are world class results,” Bilson said.
“It reflects what Ballarat sportspeople can do. I'm particularly proud of the fact that we can acknowledge these people for their excellence.
“This is the biggest night honouring sport in Ballarat. We believe sport is an integral part of the fabric of Australian communities and this night celebrates that.”
Four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson is a guest-speaker at the event. Bilson said he expects Clarkson to provide a fascinating insight for aspiring sports stars.
“He was schooled in Ballarat, became a coach and went to the top,” Bilson said.
“It should certainly provide inspiration to our younger nominees, that if you're passionate enough, you'll get there.”
