Mason sizzles to second Arthur Postle Gift win

DEFENDING champion Max Mason added a gripping second chapter to the Arthur Postle Gift with an explosive victory in tonight's $5000 final at Club Pittsworth.

By Glenmccullough

2 min read

September 14, 2019 - 9:25PM

Chronicle

Max Mason (centre) celebrates his 2019 Arthur Postle Gift win with fellow race finalists Josh Cowley (left) and Kerryn Ryan. Picture: GLEN McCULLOUGH

Sport

Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.

DEFENDING champion Max Mason added a gripping second chapter to the Mark and Kate Droney Arthur Postle Gift with an explosive victory in tonight's $5000 final at Club Pittsworth.

Mason emulated his success in last year's race - named in honour of Pittsworth's legendary 20th Century sprinter Arthur Postle - with a flashing finish from the backmark to score in the final strides of the 75-yard dash.

The 19-year-old, off a handicap of two metres, arrived in a blanket finish to down 2019 Ipswich Gift winner and last year's Postle Gift runner-up Fejiro Omuvwie (also off 2m) and Josh Cowley (2.75m).

Mason's winning run of 7.18seconds compared with his 2018 time of 7.28 of 3.5m.

Mason made a speculative entry into last year's racing, admitting running was a lesser priority behind his preferred sports of rugby and cricket.

But 12 months down the track Mason has broadened his interest in sprinting including making an appearance at this year's inonic Stawell Gift.

"Last year I had no training going into the event,” Mason said after his victory.

"(But) Ever since I won it last year I've decided to pick athletics back up and I've been training pretty hard for the past few months.”

Mason's other 2019 results include an under-20 state championships win and national fourth placing over 100 metres.

A return to Stawell next Easter is amongst Mason's plans along with a three-peat attempt at Pittsworth in 2020.

"I'll definitely be here again next year - book it in,” Mason smiled.

Gold Coast sprinter Dianne Waight matched Mason's back-to-back Pittsworth victories with her win in the $5000 Inland Rail & Optus "Crimson Flash” Women's 75-year Final.

The 14-year-old, running off 8.25m, defeated Beth Underwood and Ashleigh Jones in a time of 8.25.

The Youths 75 yards field (from left) Letitia Fox, Will Kruger, Chukuma Udeh, Luke Scott, Josh Fabiani and Pat McGinn in full flight at Club Pittsworth tonight. Picture: Nev Madsen

Winner Will Kruger (green) heads for the finish of tonight's Youths 75 yards final at Club Pittsworth. Picture: Nev Madsen

Pittsworth student Pat McGinn received one of the biggest crowd receptions of the night in his appearance in the Cooks Softdrink Youths Under 18 75-yard Final.

McGinn won through to the final from his scratch mark but found the testing handicap too big to overcome in the decider which was taken out by Sunshine Coast-based Will Kruger from a mark of 8m in 7.88.

McGinn too is keen to return for next year's event.

"I ran well, so I was pretty happy,” McGinn said.

"I won my heat, coming off scratch which I was happy with.

"I was lucky enough to get into the semi and win that as well.

"It was a bit disappointing coming fourth in the final but I'm still happy.

"I'll definitely be back next year hopefully. It would be really good to win an event here in front of the locals.”

WINNERS

Arthur Postle Gift

75 yards

MAX MASON

2m, 7.18 seconds

Women's Gift