Red Chilli turns up the heat in Santa Gertrudis steers at Sydney Royal

The feature breed at this year's Sydney Royal Show made an impact on Thursday, with 11 Santa Gertrudis steers taking to the ring.

The eventual champion, Donasville Red Chilli, exhibited by Lily Moore, Ilford, was described as an "absolute beauty" by judge Scott Hann, Truro Whiteface, Bellata.

The milk-tooth steer was by Munnabah P2818 and weighed 518 kilograms. He scanned 10 millimetres rump fat, 7mm over the rib, 4.3 per cent intramuscular fat, and 100 square centimetres eye muscle area.

Mr Hann said his data and type made him a standout, and his judging took into consideration both EMA and fat distribution.

"He's an absolute cracker and a clear winner," he said.

"He's pretty even and 100 in the EMA - that's tremendous for a calf of that weight.

"When you look at that calf, he's easy on the eye too.

"He's good up on top, he springs off the rib, and look at the hindquarter - you can see the carcase hanging off."

His breeder, Deon Moore, Donasville Santa Gertrudis, Ilford, said his daughter, Lily, was the driving force to take a team to the show.

He said the steer had been a standout from the get go.

"The only reason he's a steer is because he's got horns," he said.

"He was always a good doing calf and he was quiet."

It was exciting to be the feature breed for the show.

"It's a good bit of advertising for them - I do like the breed and I've had them a long time," he said.

In reserve was Denngal Goliath, exhibited by Dennis Moxey, Forbes. The steer placed second to the champion in the midweight class.

The 580kg steer was by Denngal Ronald R10 and scanned 10mm and 7mm over the rump and rib, respectively, with 4.7pc IMF and 87sq cm EMA.

Mr Hann praised the steer, but noted his EMA was lower.

Spring Creek Vegas V68, exhibited by PLC Armidale and bred by Spring Creek Santa Gertrudis, was selected as the third member of the Stan Hill team.

He was 536kg with 7mm rump, 6mm rib, 3.9pc IMF and 92sq cm EMA.

The lightweight steer class was won by Spring Creek Vegan Converter, by Spring Creek Prophet and exhibited by Andrew and Angela Doering, Spring Creek, Tansey, Qld.

The steer, 492kg, scanned 14mm rump, 8mm rib, 5.3pc IMF and 87sq cm EMA.

Mr Hann praised the steer's adequate fat cover, good EMA, and noted his cover over the top and hindquarters.

In second was Victor, exhibited by Saint Ignatius College Riverview and bred by Waterloo Santa Gertrudis. The 476kg steer was by Talangi Jango and scanned rump and rib fats of 8mm and 6mm, respectively, with 3.9pc IMF and 83sq cm EMA.