Ararat Gift returns to a December date like it was when Ted Marantelli won in 1952!

Interesting that for the first time for several decades that the Ararat Gift will be run in December (30th Dec 2012). The Ararat Gift was regularly conducted until the 1950's in late December - around the 26th to the 28th.

Here's an extract from the Argus newspaper from 27th December 1952 - 60 years ago when 27 year old Ted Marantelli won the Ararat Gift.

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Ararat Gift to Marantelli

The Argus
27 December 1952

Melbourne. - Twenty-seven year old Ted Marantelli won his 14th professional footrace in five years when he captured the £120 Ararat Gift.

In a thrilling final the tall blond Marantelli (5¼ yds) beat plucky 5ft 2in Laurie McDonald (6½) by 4ft.

Marantelli's time was 12.7 sec; 0.2 sec. slower than the time McDonald clocked in his semi-final.

Marantelli's own semi- final time was 12.9 sec, but his robust build gave him a big advantage when the finalists had to fight against a strong head-wind.

McDonald, the shortest pro-athlete in Victoria, had the crowd's sympathy, but lacked the power to resist his rival's challenge over the last 40 yards.

Third and fourth place getters were C. Nash (8.) and J. W. Bouchier (8¾) respectively.