Runner disqualified following massive market move for 2024 Stawell Gift

The 2024 Stawell Gift has been hit with a betting scandal causing a runner to be disqualified after big moves in the betting markets, despite bookmakers being not allowed trackside this year.

An old-fashioned Stawell Gift sting has been derailed after the disqualification of a NSW runner who had been sensationally backed into favouritism.

Tom Pellow was the subject of a massive plunge on Saturday morning, coming in from $201 to $1.75 before the start of the heats at Central Park.

The Sydneysider, who was off the outside mark of 10m, then finished second in one of the quickest races of the day, clocking 12.25sec behind Brad Hunt (6.75m) 12.24sec.

This was when Victorian Athletic League officials made their move, disqualifying Pellow for inconsistent performances.

For more than a century, the beauty and mystic of Stawell has been about trying to beat the handicapper, with the secret to not run up to your full potential in lead-up races to ensure an exaggerated mark.

There have been many legendary stories about runners getting away with it and then cleaning out the bookies when they reveal their real form in Australia’s richest footrace.

The problem for Pellow, who ran the heat with a cap on backwards Lleyton Hewitt-style, was his impressive run was so dramatically better than his previous form throughout the VAL season.

He had been travelling down to Victoria regularly and running out the back in races, clocking between 14.1sec and 13.5sec, which is why when he was suddenly airborne at Stawell, improving by roughly 10 metres, the VAL called him in for a chat.

Betting on the Stawell Gift has been happening since its inception. Picture: Getty Images

Pellow was subsequently disqualified on Saturday night but then immediately launched an appeal.

This was heard on Sunday morning, with VAL officials rejecting it – meaning he won’t take his position in Monday’s semi-finals.

The new favourite to take home the $40,000 winner’s cheque is 20-year-old Hoppers Crossing sprinter Endale Mekonnen who easily registered the fastest time (12.07sec) of the 20 heats on Saturday.

This is not foreign territory for Mekonnen who was tipped as one of the favourites last year before finishing second in his semi-final to just miss out on the final.

While his handicap has come in from 8.25m to 7m this year, his form and preparation has been a lot better.

“It’s just mindset, that’s it,” Mekonnen said. “I know my mindset is strong and I have to be confident in myself.

“I knew I was one of the favourites, so I had to make a statement. I came here to win. I feel way better than I did last year, much stronger, so yeah, I’m happy with the run.”

Stawell history buffs will be cheering on Jake Ireland who ran 12.20sec to win his heat off 5.5m. His father, Todd, is a legend of Central Park having made three Gift finals with a best placing of third.

Ryan Tarrant and Bella Pasqualwere both under 19 when they won their respective Stawell Gifts in 2023. Picture: Getty Images

In the women’s Gift, Chloe Mannix-Power (4.25m) will also be chasing history for her coach after registering the fastest heat time of 13.34sec.

The 23-year-old is part of Brett Robinson’s Vikings Athletics training group and if she can win Monday’s final he is poised to claim the honour of training the most Gift winners - men and women - in history.

Mannix-Power almost quit the sport a couple of years ago before being talked out of it by Robinson.

“I’ve been with Robbo for two years, I had decided that running wasn’t enough but he came and told me that I wasn’t going to stop running,” she said.

“We’ve got goals together to achieve so I’m excited. I would obviously love to take home the $40,000 winner’s cheque, it’s what everyone wants to do.”

The next fastest from Saturday’s heats were Jemma Pollard (8.75m) in 13.48sec and Chloe Kinnersly (9.75m) 13.49sec.

Another highlight on Monday will be the appearance of Tokyo Olympic finalist Peter Bol in an invitational 1000m event where he will run off scratch, giving a 32m head start to a select field.

It will be Bol’s second race - he finished second in an 800m race in Bankstown last week - of his comeback following an injury-interrupted start to his Paris Olympic campaign.