District dog triallists stay on leaderboard

Allen Irwin from Te Karaka (pictured above left in action at the titles) featured for a couple of days in the top seven in the zig zag hunt.

Half-a-dozen dog triallists from this region remained in the running in three events when the Tux South Island and New Zealand dog trials ended for the day yesterday in Blenheim.

Waimata’s Merv Utting and Prince came on to the top seven leaderboard in the short head and yard yesterday.

Utting and Prince finished runners-up in the New Zealand final at Pouawa last year.

He joined Mangaheia Station manager Leo Edginton and Dave from Tolaga Bay in the leading group in that event.

“It’s a beautiful sunny day down here, after another frost this morning,” Merv Utting said this morning.

“The championships are running smoothly, and the sheep have been pretty good.

“It’s good to be on the board again. Prince went very well.

“All the Gisborne and Wairoa competitors are doing well,” Utting said.

“Leo’s run in the short head and yard on Monday was a very good one.”

Edginton also came on to the leaderboard in the long head this morning with his dog Kim.

Te Karaka triallist Allen Irwin and Chase remained in the top seven in the zig zag hunt when competition ended on day two yesterday.

Unfortunately, Irwin’s other dog Buster was eliminated from the leaderboard during the day.

David Scragg and Kate from Wairoa also remained in the hunt in the zig zag hunt last night.

Rebecca Baynes with Tom, from Wairoa, joined the top seven yesterday afternoon in the straight hunt.

She joined Gisborne’s Colin Bayliss and Bully, who remained in the seven.

The South Island championships are a prelude to the New Zealand championship run-offs later in the week. The top seven combinations in the South Island event will vie for the national titles.