Coach Cathy Heijden was one to enter the Victorian in Friday’s big race, in what was his pro-running circuit debut, a decision which paid dividends after he won the event from Jack Colgrave and Ryan Cooper, winning in a time of 12.11 and a handicap of 10.50m.

Will Johns, Ash Moloney and Cameron Cranfield also contested the final.

“I didn’t really know much about the pros, but my coach just invited me down here, so I just jumped on board and here I am,’’ he said.

“I wasn’t doing anything else in my Christmas break, so I thought I may as well come down with my squad and have a good time, so I’m really pleased.”

Napier set the pace all day at the Latrobe Recreation Ground, clocking 12.19 in his heat and 12.14 in his semi-final.

“Before the heat I didn’t know what to expect, but after that heat time that built up the confidence and I was feeling good that I’d be able to produce in the following rounds, and that came true,’’ he said.

“There wasn’t really too much strategy, as it being only 120 (metres) it is being flat out and as fast as you can go and focusing on that finish line.

“It means a lot to me and probably the biggest achievement in my running career so far.”

He is set to run in the 400m gift in Devonport and the 400m in Burnie, with Napier saying his win on Friday would give him a nice little confidence boost for the rest of the series. 

There was drama, with Jara Konteh seemingly hurting his hamstring in his semi-final, while Jack Hale didn’t defend his crown as a precaution ahead of the Devonport Gift.

Other athletic results on Friday at Latrobe saw Eve Bell take out the women’s 400m handicap final, with Michael Tsotsos winning the men’s race.