Gift champion aims to go back-to-back

Reigning Be Active Mullewa Gift champion Sophie Watts aims to retain her title tomorrow.

The Gift is a handicapped 120m sprint successfully revived by the Mullewa Agricultural Society in 1986.

Watts thrilled the crowd last year as she dug deep to win by under four-hundredths of a second.

She believes she can emulate the modern Gift’s only other back-toback winner — John Manus (1993 and ’94).

“I’ve been training for a few months and I’m injuryfree so hopefully in form,” Watts said.

“I’m 18 now and stronger than last year, technically I think I’m pretty good though I still need to refine my start.”

Watts’ improvement has been noted and she expects a tougher mark than last year’s 26m.

“I think I’ll be around 24m, so it will be hard and there are some really good runners this year but my aim is to get to the final and have a crack,” she said.

Another to watch is former firstclass fast bowler Burt Cockley, who is loving the chance to compete again at a high level.

“At NSW (with their Shield team) I was joint record holder of the 20m sprint in 2.83sec. with electronic timing gates,” Cockley said.

“Obviously it’s different with blocks and a starting gun, but it will still come down to who best executes on the day.

“It’s similar to fast bowling — you need to put it together every ball and perform under pressure and in sprinting you have one moment but again have to perform under pressure.”

Other contenders include Rhys Davies, a proven item at the distance, WA under-16 sprint champion Cody Beattie and 2013 winner Adrian Pelzer.

Gates open at 9.30am. Tickets are $15 each for adults and $5 for seniors and children under 16.

Other attractions include monster trucks, quick shears, fireworks, sideshow alley, exhibitions, art show, farm Olympics, baby animals and wildflower show.

The Gift program starts at noon. Other events are a 70m handicap, Be Active Novice Sprint and Buranda Hill 550m Handicap.