Avondale Heights 400m

One of the bigger 400m races around and a good guide to the potential finals later in the season. Who do we like?

final:

newman
rooke
yorke
phelan
kerr
downes
gill-valance
rosen
stephens
haigh

winner: rosen

Lol @ GLPR. Rosen will not be trying to win this

While the voting is fun I enjoyed just posting my notes last week so here is a few more. I guess you could call it a form guide of sorts.

Glen Stephens
After a year or 2 in the wilderness “moving pictures” is back. Prominent in Wangaratta 400m final before getting a late split in Ballarat 400m frontmarkers final and sprouting wings for a close 2nd.

David Page
Won his former home state Latrobe 400m in December. Starting to re-discover that form with fast finishes for 3rd at Wangaratta 400m and 4th Ballarat 400m frontmarkers finals. In last year Stawell 400m final.

Arron Downes
3nd Castlemaine 400m in slick time after running and winning 300m masters final in fastest time of the year. Franked the form with fast closing finishes in both Wangaratta 400m final and Ballarat 400m frontmarkers final.

Maurer
Loomed at Castlemaine in a fast 400m race as well as Ballarat backmarkers 400m final. Still a young veteran so can contend.

Magree
Won Maryborough 400m and looked the winner at Castlemaine 400m before Mitchell swooped and got him. Has since made Rye and Ballarat 400m finals. Won Trinity 120m gift on weekend so definite contender here.

Sabbatucci
Don’t know much about him and this may be a little from left field but have noticed he is starting to bob his head up by making Ballarat 400m backmarkers final. Strapping looking lad but whether he can run it out we will see.

Brennan
Had 34m in Stawell 400m backmarkers final now has 38m. Also made veterans 100m final at Stawell the year after coming 2nd in the backmarkers 1600m at Stawell. Extra speed will only enhance his middle distance prospects.

Rooke
2nd in Stawell 400m backmarkers final. Can’t possibly be as bad as he is currently looking on the circle track. Made Trinity 120m gift final on weekend so maybe a turnaround in form is coming. Gift next year, 400m now?

Rosen
Made Stawell 400 frontmarkers final last year so if the 'Lord of the Gifts' has his mind on this distance is capable on his day. May fancy his chances in the Don Furness instead.

Bramham
Good early last season winning Terang 400 and Warrnambool 550. Bobbed up at Trinity and made the 400 final under a strong hold. 47m is a big mark for a young bloke so the VAL 400’s are his oyster.

Newman (either one, only their mother can tell them apart)
I think I like the look of Jack more. He ambled around in the St Albans 300m heat in 2nd gear and simply refused to pass Vine. (Leaving Vine to run another 300 which was quite funny). Can win just about anything over any distance up to 400m.


Mentioned last week for Trinity but still holding the same currency.

Andrew Drummond
In last year’s Stawell 400m final. 3rd Ballarat frontmarkers in a welcome return to form. Is also starting to sprint well. Had time up after 400m heats at Stawell and Ballarat. If he runs he wins.

Carrick Gill-Vallance
3rd in Stawell 400m frontmarkers last year. Was devastating in winning St Albans 300m beating subsequent Ballarat gift winner before idling around in Wangaratta 400m heats. Must have been tired at Wangaratta. St Albans form has him winning this. 4th Trinity 400m.

Jack Anderson
2nd Ballarat backmarkers. Young up and comer with a bit of class who made Stawell 550m final last year. Looks a real thoroughbred (sorry for the horse reference her no Winx intended). Will be mixing distances between 400m and 800m so should be able to round the field up here on the soft spongey track. Will be prominent in feature events over the next few years.

Callum James
Good form in Tasmania before a 2nd at Rye and a 3rd in Ballarat backmarkers. Starting to sprint well in gifts. Is my favourite for Bendigo Opal so will not run here. As I said in another post he is trained by an astute trainer, enough said. Someone mentioned his 3rd at Trinity 400m and questioned his coach and my comment. Did he win it?

David Haigh
4th in last year’s Stawell 400m final. 3rd at Rye, 2nd at Wangaratta after leading into the straight on both occasions and being run down. Due for a change of luck. Seems to be Drummond’s bunny having been beaten by him in fastest heat time at both Stawell and Ballarat. 3rd Trinity 300m.

Ollie Wurm
The Human Lumbricina was 2nd in the rich Devonport 400m Gift at Tassie Christmas carnival. Been quiet since but did pop into the Rye final. If he re-produces the Tassie form then he beats most of these.

Tom Hecimovic
Starting to get back out to his Avondale 400m winning handicap from last year. Final at Ballarat & Wangaratta. Is very tough to run down and may just take the opportunity to pinch this one.

How's that? Good luck

Nice work again Mex.
13 of the 19 you named ran in the heats. You got the first 6 in the final. Impressive considering there were 8 heats with only winners through.

Carrick Gill-Vallance – 1st
David Page – 2nd
David Haigh – 3rd
Glen Stephens – 4th
Arron Downes – 5th
Brett Maurer – 6th

Rooke – 120m open final
Sabbatucci – close 2nd in heat
Brennan – close 2nd in heat
Rosen – close 3rd in heat
Wurm – over 2 secs from fastest heat
Bramham – over 2 secs from fastest heat
Hecimovic – close 4th in heat


Magree - scratched
Newman - scratched
Andrew Drummond - scratched
Jack Anderson - scratched
Callum James - scratched
Ollie Wurm - scratched