A YOUNG heifer rose through the ranks at the Beef Shorthorn judging at the Royal Melbourne Show today to collect the supreme champion gong.
The 18-month-old entry, Morningtime Soldier's Blossom 38, was exhibited by David Ashley, who runs the Morningtime Beef Shorthorn Stud at Spring Hill, near Kyneton.
"I'm really happy with her performance today," he said.
The 558 kilogram white heifer was by Spencer Family Soldier Boy, one of the first bulls that Mr Ashley had purchased in 20 years.
"I bought him because we were looking for something a bit different," he said. "And we've had some great successes as a result."
In addition to producing the 2015 supreme Beef Shorthorn exhibit, the bull's offspring also includes the 2013 junior and grand champion female at the Royal Melbourne Show, the 2014 senior and grand champion female at the Sydney Royal, the junior and grand champion female at Melbourne in 2014 and the junior champion heifer at Sydney in 2015.
Morningtime Soldier's Blossom 38 has previously been shown at the 2015 Sydney Royal, where she acquired the reserve junior champion heifer broadribbon.
She managed to edge out the Spencer Family's junior and grand bull, Spencer Family Kasper, in the supreme champion line-up.
Judge Peter Sykes, Mawarra Herefords, Longford, described the 19-month-old bull as a powerful sire.
But he singled out Mr Ashley's heifer for the top gong, praising the entry for her capacity, carcase attributes, and structural soundness.
"She's carrying plenty of muscle, but she's still got that softness that I love," Mr Sykes said.