Tasmanian sprinters Jack Hale and Jacob Despard advance to Stawell Gift semi-finals

Tasmanian sprinter Jack Hale has flown into the finals of the Stawell Gift in a time faster than teenage sensation Gout Gout. What he said after winning his heat of Australia’s richest sprint race.

STAWELL, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Jack Hale wins heat 18 of the Powercor 120 Meters Handicap during the 2025 Stawell Gift at Central Park on April 19, 2025 in Stawell, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

A blistering run by Jack Hale rocketed the Tasmanian sprinter into the finals of the Stawell Gift on Monday alongside the likes of Australia’s teenage sensation Gout Gout and reigning world indoor 60m champion Lachlan Kennedy.

Starting as the back marker, Hale, 26, of Hobart, won heat 18 in 12.25 seconds, which was faster than Gout Gout’s win in heat 21, the 17-year-old clocking 12.31 in his first run on grass.

Fellow-Tasmanian, Jacob Despard, who won the Stawell Gift in 2018, finished second in his heat in a time fast enough to send him through to the semi-finals on Monday.

Tasmanian sprint kings Jacob Despard and Jack Hale. Picture James Bresnehan

The stage is now set for a block buster showdown in Australia’s richest sprint race.

Hale, who won the Tasmanian 100m sprint title in 10.43s last month, looked confident in his race and is now well in the mix to make the final, having finished third in 2016.

“I definitely had a good crack and I’ve got a bit more left there, but not a crazy amount more,” Hale said.

“It felt really nice and comfortable.”

Hale’s preparation wasn’t the best for the heat run.

“I only got in last night – I had a late flight from Hobart to Melbourne and a long drive up and didn’t get in until about 9pm,” he said.

“It was not an ideal preparation so now the heats are over I’ll be able to get my body right for Monday and we’ll be laughing.”

STAWELL, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 19: Gout Gout waves to the crowd after winning Heat 21 of the Powercor Stawell Gift Handicap during the 2025 Stawell Gift at Central Park on April 19, 2025 in Stawell, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/Getty Images)

Easter Sunday will be one of rest.

“I’ll spend the day doing the least amount I can,” Hale said.

“That might me just lying in bed watching Netflix or doing a bit of uni work and just mentally focusing on the race and running right.”

A large crowd turned out for the Gout Gout show.

“It was fantastic,” Hale said.

“The crowd rocked up to see the show and he definitely put one on.

“He’s going to be a good threat in the semi-finals and I’m sure he’s got more there to give.”

Despard was one of the 25 fastest non-winners to progress to the semis.

“He made it through pretty comfortably,” Hale said.

“He looked nice and cruisy in his race so I’m sure he’s got a lot more there to give on Monday as well.”