Athletes Destiny and Jack Peris grab the major honours at a rain soaked Darwin Gift

Destiny and Jack Peris join Luke Griffin as $500 winners at the second Killara Gift

Destiny Peris, Luke Griffin and Jack Peris show their winning smiles after sprint wins in the Killara Darwin Gift. Picture: Tim Mason

THE Peris family dominated the second edition of the Killara Darwin Gift conducted on a rain soaked Nightcliff Oval on Sunday.

Torrential rain covered the 100m running track with more than three centimetres of water, but it failed to stop the speed of Jack and Destiny Peris over the sprint distance.

With $500 on offer to the winners and invitations to the prestigious Parkdale and Stawell Gifts in April, the runners defied the elements to produce some thrilling racing.

Destiny Peris won the Killara Indigenous Gift for female runners in a tight finish from up and coming 14-year-old runner Georgia Lynch.

It was enough to convince organisers to present her with a wildcard entry to both Gifts.

Jack Peris was a clear winner in the male race, running away from his rivals with consummate ease.

The all-comers was won by Luke Griffin off eight metres from last year’s winner Nathan Mu who started on five metres.

In controversial circumstances the first run was called a no race due to a breakdown and faulty equipment.

After a brief discussion the chief steward decided on a re-run, with Griffin winning by the closets of margins.

All winners received $500 and a sash and invitations to the Parkdale and Stawell Gifts.

Race organiser Tim Mason was still shaking his head after the rain interrupted racing.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like those conditions in a long history of conducting these events,’’ he grinned.

“Congratulations to the winners and we hope to see them progress further in this spectacular sport.’’