Riverside sprinter Laura Downie has cast aside her aversion for running laps to claim one of Victoria’s most prestigious 400-metre races.
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Downie pocketed $3500 for winning the Black Pearl on women’s night of the International Madison carnival in Bendigo at the weekend.
The talented 25-year-old favours less bends akin to the 100m, even 200m, in her burgeoning athletics career.
But Downie may now have changed her view based solely on her superb come-from-behind breakthrough win.
“I’m lost for words,” an ecstatic Downie first told Fairfax Media on Saturday night.
“I came to Bendigo for the first time last year and made the women’s gift final.
“I never really expected to do well in the 400m.”
Starting the grass race off a 24m handicap from scratch, Downie stormed home over the straight to reel in Meg Deane (34m) in the shadows of the post.
She crossed the line in 53.79 seconds and is looking at building towards the performance for bigger and better things ahead.
“I’ve entered for the 70m and also the women’s gift at Stawell,” Downie said.
“Whatever I do at Stawell will be a bonus after this win.”
Downie enters the Easter carnival of Australia’s richest footrace confident in the knowledge she has form as a past Launceston Gift winner.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
