Mascot in starting line-up for Woollymunchers

Famous Canterbury Crusaders rugby mascot, Larry the Lamb, will race at the famous NZ Woollymunchers Music, Fine Wine and Lambfest sheep races on January 13.

Larry is an icon of Canterbury and is keen to test his racing hoofs out against the highly trained sheep at Canterbury’s iconic festival at the Ashburton A and P Showgrounds.

But it will be no mean feat for the crowd pleasing lamb as he faces stiff competition from the likes of “King Woollymuncher”, who is a giant on the sheep racing circuit and rumoured to be insured for in excess of $100.
Sheep racing trainer and local farmer Mary Copland has put many hours into her prize racing sheep and promises the course will be longer, with more jumps this year.

She is confident that the Arthur Lydiard coaching method she used to build stamina amongst her flock, will see them leave Larry the Lamb and a little wool behind.

The sheep have been fed top quality high protein food from Golden Stockfoods and are now focusing on a carbohydrate diet in the lead up to the festival in order to build their muscles.

Indeed, if the lambs were analysed for meat quality, their shanks would be the very best on the restaurant menu, the committee of helpers believe.

Three sheep races will take place over the course of the day at 12.15pm, 2.30pm and 4.45pm. The public can bet on the outcome of all the races.
The festival itself will start at 11am with Jordan Luck and popular band dDub headlining the event.

Television celebrity chef Richard Till and Le Bon Bolli owner Phillip Kraal will start the day at 11am in the cooking demonstration tent.

In its third year the annual festival promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family with tickets just $22 for adults.

Other entertainment includes a celebrity BBQ cook-off starring Jordan Luck,
Mayor Bede O’Malley, Larry the Lamb and Rakaia MP Brian Connell, gourmet food and wine stalls and music from local band Tex Machine.

Organisers have put a cap on public through the gate and are advising people to pre-buy tickets to ensure they don’t miss out.

Woollymunchers will be held on Saturday January 13 at the Ashburton A and P Showgrounds and tickets are available from Camera World in Ashburton or online at ticketdirect.co.nz or by phoning 0800 TICKET. More information about the festival is available from the website, www.woollymunchers.co.nz.

ENDS

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