A STAR-studded line-up is expected to contest the final of Wangaratta Gift tomorrow night at the Norm Minns Oval.
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Spots in the 120m handicap final will be at a premium, with potential winners popping up across all heats.
Mt Martha’s Daniel Burgess will start off 2.25m in his heat and is rated the top back-marker.
But he will receive stiff competition from Hadfield sprinter Chris Tuohy, who has contested four Stawell Gift finals, and former Olympic 400m runner Robert Ballard from Albury.
Templestowe 16-year-old Scott Mace is also expected to give his elder opponents a run for their money after flying home to win the Maryborough Gift on New Year’s Day.
Rodney Mathews, who took out the Stawell Gift in 1999, is another dark horse while reigning champion Jason Boulton from Wodonga will return to defend his crown.
“The amount of entries we have had for the Gift and the cycling events has been staggering,” carnival chief organiser Graeme Taylor said.
“The class of the entries for the Gift is pretty impressive.”
The sports carnival has received a 10 per cent increase in entries for the wheel race and foot-running this year, despite the drought.
Mr Taylor urged the general public to support the two-day event, which kicks off at 7pm tonight with the popular CBD Criterium.
“We’re pretty pleased about the overall support from that side of things, considering the preparation of the grounds have been hindered somewhat by the drought,” he said.
“It’ll still be up to the normal standard that is expected for Wangaratta.”
Last year’s criterium winner Tim Decker is back to defend his title, while in the wheel race last year’s winner Jarrod Maroni will also return.
The wheel race final is scheduled for 9pm tomorrow night and the Wangaratta Gift at 8pm.