Find out who's headed to Bendigo: Merino pairs and groups judged at Sydney

A New England ram and ewe are headed to the Australian Sheep and Wool Show after winning the national pair of the year at Sydney Royal on Friday.

Airlie stud, Walcha, got off to a cracking start in the first class in this year's Merino judging, finishing ahead of two pairs exhibited by Grathlyn, Hargraves.

The judges were Joe Carlon, Queenlee, Salisbury Plains, in the ultrafine ring, Warren Russell, Melrose, Nurrabiel, Vic, in the superfine, Kip Gray, Stockman, Melton Mowbray, Tas, in the fine, David Zouch, Crookwell, the fine/medium and Henry Armstrong, Pemcaw, Dundeoo, in the medium/strong.

There were 10 August-shorn pairs in the initial lineup before the judges narrowed it down to a final six.

Mr Gray said the lineup presented a real challenge for the judges, but it was Airlie's bulk and size that put them ahead of the rest.

"We just thought they stood up a little bit better," he said.

Airlie 20022 measured 18.6 micron fibre diameter, 2.6 micron standard deviation, 13.7 per cent coefficient of variation, and 99.7pc comfort factor.

Its pair, Airlie 20029, was 17.9 micron with 2.5 micron SD, 13.9pc CV, and 99.7pc CF.

RAS pair of the year

Conrayn, Berridale, rose above the rest to claim the RAS Pair of the Year.

There was a strong selection of March-shorn pairs on the mat, which were also assessed by all five judges.

Conrayn's pair finished ahead of Thalabah, Laggan, in second and Merryville, Boorowa, in third.

Conrayn 22128 measured 15.3 micron, 2.1 micron SD, 13.5pc CV, and 99.9pc CF, while Conrayn 22110 was 17.2 micron, 2.3 micron, 13.6pc CV and 99.8pc CF.

Mr Russell said it was a difficult decision for the judges, but he said Conrayn's matching wool quality, size, and conformation was slightly better.

He praised Thalabah and said the Merryville pair was also impressive, but the wool quality did not match quite as well as those placed above.

Bruce Merriman Memorial

The Bruce Merriman Memorial Perpetual Trophy, which is comprised of August-shorn teams of three rams and two ewes, was won by Grathlyn.

Mr Carlon said the team were peas in a pod, and praised the consistency of the wool and the team's depth.

The winning team was made up of Grathlyn 20518, 20515, 20514, 20521 and 20524.

Alfoxton, Armidale, was second, and Mr Carlon said the team looked the part and had good consistency throughout.

Merryville was third, and he noted it was a big, upstanding team.

Otway Falkiner

The Otway Falkiner group of five, which was the best exhibit of Poll Merinos, was won by Alfoxton.

The same team was also second in the Bruce Merriman - a repeat performance on last year's show.

Mr Armstrong said the group was very even with good, well-nourished and well-defined wool.

The team was made up of Alfoxton 20113, 20125, 20115, 20131 and 20129. All were by Roseville Park 171133.

Stonehaven Cup

The Stonehaven Cup, for March-shorn groups of five, was won by Conrayn.

In second was Merryville and Thalabah, third.

Mr Zouch said it was a pleasure to judge the competition, and praised Conrayn's evenness and consistency.

The sheep "cut right down to their toes", he said.

The team was made up of Conrayn 22129, 22128, 22128, 22117, and 22110.

Merryville's team had great size and wool production, he said.