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Awards for top pair at shearing contest

Two of New Zealand's top blade-shearers will receive special recognition when they join other competitors at the Waimate Shears this weekend.

Up to 120 entries are expected for the event, which started last night and concludes with finals tonight.

Entries are on a par with last year and include both top blade and machine shearers, some fresh from success at last weekend's New Zealand merino shearing championships at Alexandra.

But it will be a special occasion for Billy Michelle (Timaru) and Peter Race (Twizel), who will be presented with master blades shearer awards tonight.

The prestigious awards have to meet strict criteria, with the contribution to shearing of the recipients recognised and accepted by their peers.

Wool handling heats start at 7.30am today at Russell Hart's shearing shed.

Shearing heats start at the stadium at 7.30am with the blades.

Junior and teams shearing finals will be held later in the afternoon, with all other finals from 7pm.

One shearer who will be familiar with his surroundings is Nathan Stratford, who will be seeking his seventh Waimate Shears' open machine title.

He first won the event in 2001 and has also won it for the past five years.

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