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Star Performers
In Sheep ,
Dog Trials
The National Sheep Dog Trials
commenced at Manuka Oval yesterday,
when 22 dogs competed
for the Duke of Gloucester Sash,
The Johnny Cup and other
events for maiden dogs.
Highlights of the day were the
performances of Lock, owned by
Mr! H. Lawton, of Gunning, and
Bill, owned by Mr. H. Harris, of
New Zealand.
Look, leads- in the open championship
with 94 points in completing
the course of three obstacles
in 11.27 minutes.
Bill a maiden performer, secured
93 points at his first trial
under Australian conditions and
gave an outstanding exhibition
over the bridge with three difficult
sheep.
Mr. Harris said later that the
dog was working a bridge for
the first time, but came through
the trial successfully by very
close compliance with signals.
Bill is unlikely to be beaten
in the Maiden Championship and
has a good chance of winning the
Open.
Wyalong Toney, owned by Mr.
A. Meacharn, of Wyalong, was
another dog to show promise,
completing the course in 10.4 seconds
by 19 points, which was
equalled by Mr. G. Stanyer's
dog, Blue Bennett.
Mr. Harris' champion short
haired Border Collie, General
Haig, who has won 18 first prizes
in seven years of trials in New
Zealand, will participate to-day.
The dog arrived last week and
has been feeling the cold, buT
gave an exhibition of tricks for
a group of students from the
Canberra Grammar School.
Another New Zealand dog,
which is expected to finish well
is Border Fay, who was second
last year.
Border Fay won in New Zealand
shortly after the last trials
in Canberra, but has competed
on few occasions since.
Keenest competition is expected
to come from Ned, which experienced
judges claim is the
best sheep dog in the Commonwealth.
Owned by Mr. S. McMaster,
of Warialda, and with a pure
lineage that can be traced back
for 50 years, the kelpie holds
championships won at Moree,
Boggabri and south-west Queensland,
being beaten for the North-
west championship of N.SW. at
Bourke by his sire, Blue.
Blue" will also be competing
and has won nine' major trials
as well as several minor events.
Victorian dogs," Boveach Belle,
Winterega Angus, and Annandale
Ben, have arrived with outstand-
ing records while Mick, owned
by Mr. J. Casey, of Orange, has
established the reputation, of a
champion at district trials.
Many dogs were disqualified
for crossing, leaving only nine
to finish the course.
The judge, Mr. R. Coleman
Noakes, said that the main fault
was that dogs rushed the sheep
to the casting line and had difficulty
in controlling the frightened
animals thereafter.
The trials will continue this
morning at 8 o'clock. The seven
leading dogs after the heat will
contest the final, course.
Results:
Lock (owner H. Lawton) 94
points; Bill (Mr. H. Harris, N.Z.)
93, Wyalong Toney (Mr. A. Mea
chem) 89, Blue Bonnett (Mr. G.
Stanyer) 89, Curly (Mr. C. Butt)
87, Trigger (Mr. H. Small) 83,
Scout (Mr. J. Dale) 82, Auburn
Rex (Mr. J. Dale) 78, Mae (Mr.
C. Butt) 75.
One hundred and six dogs
have been entered for the Kennel
Show, commencing at 1 p.m.,
which is being run in conjunction
with the trials.
Several Sydney Royal Show
winners will be shown including
champion spaniels owned by Mrs.
A. Case, of Pennant Hills, the
samoyed, Viking Droskl, owned
by Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Winter,
of Canberra, and several Victorian
champions.
Seventeen breeds will be represented
with cocker spaniels the
best contested classes.
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