Known winners add class to field

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Article by Cam Potter, 26th January 2018

THE 97th running of the Wangaratta Gift may have one of the strongest fields in its history.

Stawell Gift winner Isaac Dunmall (2016) and Wangaratta Gift winners Paul Tancredi (2015 and 2016) and Harrison Kerr (2017) will all race on Saturday night, a prospect that excites keen Wangaratta Sports Carnival organiser and sponsor Wally Pasquali.

“Isaac will be our fastest athlete competing here this weekend,” Pasquali said.

“Paul is a dual winner of the Gift and Harrison Kerr is coming back to defend his crown.

“In saying all that I think this year’s Wangaratta Gift favourite is a sprinter by the name of James Vine; he has been running really well.

“James is a big guy and should go in as a genuine chance.”

A former winner of the Wangaratta Gift, Pasquali said Adam Burchell is a genuine threat tomorrow.

“Over 400m, Burchy is flying,” he said.

“He is in winning form and aside from a judgement error in Castlemaine last weekend he could have won the race; but I know he is ready to perform in front of his friends and put on a show.”

“He won Rye a couple of weeks ago so he should be around the mark again.”

Wally and wife, Anna, are on the Wangaratta Sports Carnival incorporated committee and said the organisation of the carnival has been down to the work of a number of hard working people.

“Graeme Taylor has done a power of work and does so every year.” Pasquali said.

“Bernie Grealy, Glen Miller and Greg Vonarx, the rural city of Wangaratta groundsmen extraordinaires, who have put a lot of time into making sure the ground is up to scratch.

“The ground is looking in pristine condition for racing.”

The Pasquali’s will also be holding a function on the balcony of the AFL NEB building for all the sponsors of the carnival.

An auction will also be run on a number of sports memorabilia and dining vouchers for around Wangaratta with all the money raised going to the Sports Carnival.

Pasquali through his chain of Optus stores, has also put up an iPhone 6s plus as a prize for the winner of a competition as to who can take the best ‘selfie’ with a cut-out of Usain Bolt.

Racing starts from 5pm with wood chopping beginning from 2pm.