Melbourne Royal Show feature event: Andrew Lakin going for the double

Andrew Lakin is hoping to make it two on the trot when he exhibits his stud’s Suffolk ewes in the feature event at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show.

Andrew Lakin and partner Lauren Russell with a Suffolk ram and a seven-day-old lamb. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Sheep producer Andrew Lakin is hoping to make it two on the trot when he exhibits his stud Allanwood’s Suffolk ewes in the feature event at this year’s Melbourne Royal Show.

The 27-year-old Lancefield farmer won at last year’s show, but knows it’s tough for lightning to strike twice.

“It’s always great to win but it’s the Royal so it has more prestige,” he said.

“You never really know, you can go on form from previous shows from throughout the year, but each judge has their own opinion.”

But if you read Andrew’s form guide, you wouldn’t be afraid of taking a punt on the young gun.

One of his ewes went reserve champion at Bendigo’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show and at Sheepvention in Hamilton earlier this year, and he’s hoping for a triumvirate in Melbourne.

But more than just the prizes, the Melbourne Royal Show has been part of Andrew’s life since as early as he can remember, even though it looks much different now.

“My first Melbourne Show was when I was eight months old, my parents showed Clydesdales so I went every year. September school holidays was the Melbourne show, and that was our holiday — I loved it,” he said.

“It’s changed a lot from when I was a kid, it’s a lot shorter. But it’s got its own history, and even though numbers are a bit down on pre-covid times the quality of the sheep is still right up there.

“It’s the best way to benchmark your sheep and compare your best to everyone else’s.”

The Melbourne Royal Show kicks off tomorrow.