After finishing second in the women’s top sprint at Maryborough on New Year’s Day, Austin knew she was close – and that proved the case on Sunday, winning her heat and the final.

Austin, who ran a time of 12.36 seconds off 8.75 metres in the final, never thought she would achieve such results after a stint out of running.

A return to study to become a midwife put running on the backburner, but a desire to test herself quickly put it back on the agenda – Sunday’s result making the decision worthwhile.

"I had a pretty good year back in 2013, I actually wasn't going to sprint again with a few other things going on in my life,” Austin said.

"Coming out and winning out here makes it all worthwhile.

"All I wanted to do this season was be competitive and I sure did that so I'm stoked.

"I didn't think I would run like this again.

"I knew I was in the mix and ready to take a win so I was just doing my best until I got it.”

Austin thanked her team for preparing her for the event and she will now turn her attention to upcoming Gifts, racing in most meets on the calendar up until the Stawell Gift.