GALAXY Park secured its maiden Prime SAMM supreme champion win at the Royal with a classy April-drop ewe proving irresistible to judge Des Twartz, Deep Creek Prime SAMMs, Sutherlands.
Galaxy Park principal Geoff Gale said he was ''elated'' to take home his first supreme ribbon.
Sired by a Galaxy Park 110021, the ewe impressed Mr Gale from an early age.
"She stood out as a lamb, and while some of the other ewes have now caught her on growth, we know she's got that early maturing trait," he said. "She's got lovely wool as well, so she has both aspects going for her."
In sashing the supreme exhibit, Mr Twartz heaped praise on the ewe.
"She's a superb example of the Prime SAMM breed," he said. "She's very structurally correct, and has that wonderful combination of lots of meat and bright wool.
"You just have to look at that depth and length of body, and she's got superb neck extension.
"She has a long future ahead of her. Most of us can look forward to seeing her progeny doing well in the years to come."
Mr Twarte said the breeders of both the supreme ewe and champion ram were to be commended.
"These are the future SAMMs - they've got everything, and they'd be the envy of just about every breeder," he said.
Bruce and Debbie Nulty, Punari stud, Kingston, claimed their third straight champion ram broad ribbon with Punari Roger, a 138.5-kilogram 2011-drop sire.
Having been supreme exhibit in 2012 and 2013, Roger again stamped his authority in the showring, with his massive frame hard to ignore. He posted a fat measurement of 10 millimetres, eye muscle depth of 50mm, and 22.7-micron wool with 4.1 standard deviation, 18.1 coefficient of variation and 97.3 per cent comfort factor.
"He's such a sirey, proud ram," Mr Twartz said. "He stands well, and has beautiful wool with a body to match.
"All up he's what a ram should be."
Ms Nulty said Roger - sired by Jeffries 070013 - was a ''one in a million'' ram.
"He's the best I've had so far," she said. "Usually rams shine in their first year but then go off in their second year, but not him."
The reserve champion ram ribbon went to a Galaxy Park sire from the pairs class, with Mr Twarte impressed by its bright wool.
"It's got beautiful white wool - it's absolutely perfect and would be a real eye-popper in the bale," he said.
The reserve champion ewe ribbon also went to a pairs entry, this time from JN&SA Lawrie & Son, Lawral Park, Ungarra.
* Full report in Stock Journal, September 18, 2014 issue.
Jacinta Rose
Stock Journal's online editor.
Stock Journal's online editor.
