THE 62nd Keilor Gift on Saturday was memorable for what it did produce – thrilling races, fervent spectators, and a veteran finally breaking through for his first Keilor Gift victory – and for what it didn’t produce – the forecasted gloomy weather.
Despite the forecast of rain, the sky was clear and the sun was out. The wind was strong during the afternoon, and some runners commented that it was like trying to run through a wall, but the breeze vanished by the evening when the feature races were run.
The crowd swelled for the main finals, beginning with the 400m novice at 7.30pm and ending with the men’s Gift at 8.45pm, with a packed crowd cheering on seasoned runner Robert Lehmann, who held off last year’s winner Cam Dunbar in a thrilling sprint.
The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky, and the event was declared a raging success.
