On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand

MEDIA RELEASE
 

On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand

December 18, 10am.

Scottish shearer and Taranaki farmer Gavin Mutch is about now starting the second run of a World lambshearing record bid with the odds against him after falling after falling five shport log of the opening two-hour target in a woolshed east of Stratford.

Chasing the eight-hour record of 736 held by Christchurch-based Irishman Ivan Scott, the 30-year-old Mutch shore 180 in the first two hours from 7.30am-9.30am at the Pohokura saddle woolshed of farmers Ken and Donna Lobb.

Scott started with 185 at Rerewkaaitu, near Rotorua, on December 19 last year when he set-out after Justin Bell's 2002 record of 731, Mutch started needing an average over 184 per run, and the early-morning deficit meant he needed to up the average by more than a lamb per run.

The second run was from 10am to midday, the third from 1pm-3pm, and the last from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Shearing commentator Koro Mullins reported from the shed that Mutch had, however, had no lambs ejected from the tally in the first two hours, watched closely by three judges appointed by the World Sheep Shearing Records Society, including one from South Africa.

Mr Mullins said the day opened fine, but it had become cold, leaving Mutch's support crew searching for ways to warm the open-faced romney lambs without breaching tightened rules governing sheep preparation.

ENDS

© Scoop Media