Smith v The Rest “Whose Goldie is it anyway?”

Smith v The Rest “Whose Goldie is it anyway?”

Wairarapa tonight fields its greatest-ever hope of a home-region win in the Golden Shears Open final – but for the might of two-metre Hawke’s Bay giant and World champion Rowland Smith.

Hot favourite Smith, paying $1.30 at the TAB, was top qualifier, but also in the top six were Wairarapa hopes Dion King, recently moved from Hastings to a farm near Alfredton, east of Masterton, Pongaroa farmer David Buick, and former Dannevirke shearer Paerata Abraham, now based in Masterton.

The other two finalists are four-times winner John Kirkpatrick, of Napier, and Invercargill shearer Troy Pyper, who was sixth in his first Golden Shears Open final last year.

Meanwhile, former World champion woolhandler Joel Henare, of Gisborne, is well-placed for a fourth consecutive Golden Shears Open woolhandling title, but in tough company. Also qualifying are Ronnie Goss, Keryn Herbert and Sheree Alabaster, all of whom have represented New Zealand at World Championships.

ENDS

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