They are the Romney hoggets and two-tooths of 3237ha Alpha Burn Station, situated above Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka.
The McRae family coaching team of Duncan, Don and Vicki have been preparing their sheep for months in readiness for the South Island and New Zealand sheepdog trial championships, which began yesterday and run until Saturday.
The stars are the dogs - some worth $10,000, some flying baggage class from north of Auckland, and hundreds camped in the back of utes around Wanaka for the week.
But the condition of the sheep is of prime importance to the trialists.
Don McRae describes them as "pretty good" after a dry autumn.
His wife Vicki calls them "magnificent".
The sheep (not to mention the dogs and trialists) had a cold start yesterday morning after snow and rain overnight, but station owner Duncan observed the sheep were "coming right" as the sun warmed them up.
A lot of work had been done with the sheep, he said, but "nothing is guaranteed - sheep being sheep".
Trialists, says Don, are looking for sheep that are quiet, responsive, fit and healthy, and in preparation for the championships, the sheep were worked on the course last week, and they have been kept well-fed.
Vicki: "It's like an athlete.
"They've got to be fed the right stuff. You can't have a sheep that's a bit skinny."
Unsuitable sheep are drafted out but Don, a "passionate" dog trialer with 30 years of competing behind him, knows luck plays a part.
"There will always be some that don't perform. It's just the luck of the draw really.
"Some people will get really good sheep and the next one will get one that's a bit silly."
And a "dud" sheep can leave a competitor a little disappointed.
Asked if good humour always prevailed, Don replied with a laugh, "I would hope so".
Don is competing with two dogs, Peak and Tag, and son Duncan with Rue.
Don says he gets much satisfaction from his dogs competing to a high standard.
"The thing we all aim for is to send your dog up the hill and bring [the sheep] down as cleanly and smoothly as you can, and the same when you are hunting them up the hill."
The event involves 300 human competitors, 290 huntaway dogs and 260 heading dogs.
DOG TRIALS LEADER BOARD
TUX South Island and New Zealand Championship Dog Trials, Wanaka, leader board after first day's competition.
Long head. - J. Burrows, Pal; R. Peek, Jim; R. Sellars, Steel; B. Burger, Glide; T. Manson, Glen; R. Tweed, Vic; E. Stringer, Matt.
Short head and yard. - Eion Herbert, Storm; Jimmy Buttars, Steel; Clark Crystal, Boyd; Boyd Tisdall, Jackie; Mike Brown, Dave; Andy Clark, Jan; Paul Robinson, Libby.
Zigzag hunt. - J. Walker, Brin; Mark Porter, Moss; Jim Chaffey, Gus; Jason Gillespie, Sledge; Murray Kennedy, Stream; Russell Peak, Task; Matt Black, Guide.
Straight hunt. - Steve Kerr, Bully; Sam Duncan, Bell; Lindsay Wink, Thump; Dave Vaughan, Earl; Fin Rowland, Coke; Roger Tweed, Gemma; Robin McKenzie, Ned.
