Running from a mark of 50m, The Mike McKenna- trained athlete came home with a wet sail and snatched the lead in the final metres for an impressive win.

Midway Point's Ben Covington (55m) was a close second and Kenyan backmarker Elijah Kiptoo (20m) finished third.

The four Kenyans ran well from the back marks moving up through the field to be up at the bell.

Kiptoo was particularly impressive taking the lead in the straight in a battle with Covington and Reeves but it was Reeves's final kick that proved decisive.

Reeves won the same event in 2008 and was successful in the Devonport Gift in 2011 and was runner-up last year.

"I'm pretty happy and the 800m is my favourite race," Reeves said.

"I had a tough heat but luckily Alex Rowe scratched himself to run the 400 and I had a sore quad after the heat but to come back and win is really good."

Rianna teenager Madeleine Murphy backed up from her women's mile win to take out the women's 800m.

The 16-year-old Mike Gunson runner found a second kick to grab victory from Burnie's Jacqui Dalwood (70m) and last year's winner and back marker Nicole Perry in 2:04.64.