MEDIA RELEASE
On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand
March 2, 2013
Kirkpatrick targets Golden Shears double
Golden Shears Open champion John Kirkpatrick has roared into contention for a major double as the 53rd championships end
in Masterton today.
A specialist on the second-shear sheep of the Open championship, the Napier shearer is also top qualifier for the mixed
breed ironman event of the Shears, the 15-sheep, 5-type PGG Wrightson National Circuit – having never before shorn in
that event’s final.
The TAB reacted quickly by slashing the odds on Kirkpatrick winning to $3.50, second-favourite behind Coster.
He qualified five points clear of 2009-2011 winner Tony Coster, of Rakaia, with another 2.5pts back to defending Circuit
champion Angus Moore, from Ward, in Marlborough, but now living at Kaitangata, South Otago..
The other finalists from the 12 who shore in the semi-finals this morning are World champion Gavin Mutch, a Scotsman
living on a farm at Whangamomona, Tony Nott, of Blenheim, and Grant Smith, of Rakaia.
The major surprise was the elimination of Invercargill shearer Nathan Stratford, but along with Kirkpatrick and Mutch he
is still in the running for the Open championship, as leading qualifier for that event’s semi-final this afternoon.
ENDS