Hobart teenager Kiani Allen collects the biggest win of her career with the Burnie Gift

BIG MOMENT: Hobart's Kiani Allen was all smiles after her Burnie Gift win on Monday at West Park. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Kiani Allen sure did enjoy her first trip to the Burnie Carnival after claiming the Burnie Gift on Monday in a breakthrough performance.

It was a result that she said was completely unexpected for the 18-year-old from Hobart after she beat home three-time champ Morgan Gaffney and Maddie Coates home, with the field also featuring another Australian representative in Ashleigh Whittaker. Coates and Whittaker both ran off scratch.

It is just amazing.

Burnie Gift winner Kiani Allen

Allen had a handicap of eight metres, finishing the race in a time of 14.14.

“It is just amazing,’’ she said after a day of racing that was impacted by a headwind which was quite strong.

“It’s awesome and I’m really happy.

“This is one of the best wins I’ve had so far.

“I was aware of the head wind out and as this was my first carnival, I wasn’t really sure whether I would get into the final, and I just wanted to concentrate on running the best I could, and I would have been happy with that.”

Allen, who is trained by her boyfriend Brandon Clark (who finished third in the men’s gift), said it wasn’t until late in the race that she knew she had it.

“It was just before the finish line,’’ she said.

“I wasn’t sure whether they were behind me and I just kept pushing because they were right there.

“I was really nervous, but I was really excited to go out and try to run and my best.”

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