Gout Gout’s Stawell Gift Dream Derailed Amid Handicaps and Chaos
What a wild turn of events at this year’s Stawell Gift. If you were expecting a fairytale ending for teenage sprint prodigy Gout Gout or crowd favorite Lachlan Kennedy, well, you probably felt the collective gut-punch on Easter Monday just like the rest of us. All eyes were on these two as they headed into the semi-finals, but what unfolded was more heartbreak than highlight reel.
Both Gout and Kennedy were handed incredibly tough handicaps—basically sprinting mountains they were never going to conquer. Gout was tasked with overcoming an 8.75m deficit, going up against none other than John Evans, who had already posted the fastest time in the heats. The result? Gout ran a solid 12.34, but it wasn’t enough. Evans blazed through in 12.10, and only the winner of each semi made it to the final. Same fate for Kennedy—he pushed hard but came second to Dash Muir, a fellow 17-year-old, in what turned into a stunning upset.
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And just when you think that’s the worst of it, cue the weather. Torrential rain turned the track into a soggy mess. On a surface where every fraction of a second counts, the wet grass was a nightmare. Fans weren’t shy in voicing their frustration, calling out the organisers and questioning the logic of the draw and handicapping system. Many believed it bordered on self-sabotage—why pit Gout against Evans in the same semi, when only one could advance?
Despite the chaos, Gout remained all class. After missing the final, he still jogged over to the crowd, high-fived fans, and held his head high. It wasn’t a total loss for him—rumor has it he earned a $50,000 appearance fee from a local businessman. Not bad for a 17-year-old.
Meanwhile, the final went on without the two fastest young stars. John Evans, the 28-year-old schoolteacher from Adelaide, capitalised on his generous 9.75m handicap and stormed home in 11.94 seconds to claim the 2025 men’s Stawell Gift. He later admitted that racing against talents like Gout and Kennedy was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and now he’s got the ultimate bragging rights.
Over on the women’s side, Bree Rizzo delivered one of the day’s biggest moments. Running from scratch, she powered to a historic win in 13.52 seconds, joining her husband Matt Rizzo as a Stawell Gift champion. Her victory wasn’t just emotional, it was downright legendary—fastest ever by a woman on that track.
As much as the finals crowned new champions, the real story might just be what could have been. Fans came for Gout Gout and Lachlan Kennedy, and while they didn’t leave with gold, they left with unforgettable drama. One thing’s for sure—this year’s Stawell Gift will be talked about for a long time.
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