BORDERS sprinter Stacey Downie is heading to Australia despite narrowly missing out on a place in the Commonwealth Games team.

The 30-year-old PE teacher from West Linton, who is a former Scottish and Great Britain Under 23 champion, was unsuccessful in her bid to earn a relay place with Team Scotland.

But to make amends Stacey is still heading Down Under to compete at the world-famous Stawell Gift meeting this weekend before travelling to the Gold Coast to cheer on fellow West Linton athlete Chris O'Hare as he competes for Scotland.

The Stawell Gift meeting attracts thousands of spectators as well as the cream of professional athletes from across the globe.

Stacey told us: "I’ve entered because it’s very good timing.

“Handicapped running is not based on how well you run on times, but how well you run off your mark, so for me it’s a bit more competitive and that’s why I’m looking forward to it.”

This weekend's Stawell Gift meeting is one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events.

As well as the 120 metre handicap main races for men and women there are also supporting distance events.

Both the men's and women's sprints, which are handicapped and run on a grass track, carry prize pots of $40,000.

Stacey is no stranger to the event, which is televised live on Australian channels, having competed as a teenager.

She added: "I was only 17 and I made the semi-finals of the 120 metres and the finals of the 400 metres.

"It was the year Josh Ross won his second Stawell Gift and I would love to see him again.

“Pro running is popular in Scotland but our grass isn’t as good.

"I’ve always run in these events but the Stawell Gift is special.”

The only Scot to have won both the Stawell Gift and the coveted New Year Sprint in Edinburgh is George McNeill.

McNeill, who won on the Victoria track in 1981, remains the oldest ever winner of the race at 36 when he broke the tape from four metres to win in a time of 11.9 seconds.

The Stawell Gift meeting takes place this weekend.

The Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony takes place on Wednesday, April 4.

Borders members of the Scotland team include swimmers Lucy Hope and Beth Johnston, athletes Chris O'Hare, Guy Learmonth and Sammi Kinghorn, cyclists Grant Ferguson and Isla Short, hockey player Sarah Robertson, bowler Mike Nicoll, netball players Jo Pettitt and Emily Nicholl, and rugby players Darcy Graham, Nyle Godsmark and Lee Jones.