Mr Slater, 85, of Murrumbateman, and his border collie Wondara Jules, outclassed a strong line-up in the Pedigree and Nature’s Table Three Sheep Trial.

The trial drew over 100 entries and was run over the three days of the Henty Machinery Field Days from September 18 to 20.

Mr Slater was fresh from winning the improver class at the 2018 NSW State Championships, along with the Henty titles in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

He finished on a total score of 256 – one point ahead of John Perry, Bredbo, in second place with his dog Jazz.

Julie Burkitt, from Young, was third on 253 points, while fourth was John Perry and his dog Rapper on 243 points.

Geoff Gibson, from Warwick in Queensland, filled fifth place and Paul O’Kane, from Cobram, was sixth and seventh.

Co-ordinator Paul Darmody said the event was a great way to bring kelpies and collies together to expose the sports to mainstream spectators.

Mr Darmody said judge Peter Oxley, of Bathurst, was tested over the three days, not only by a close field of entrants but also by a swooping magpie.

“Jules did Laurie Slater proud and worked exceptionally well,’’ he said.

Mr Slater bred the eight-year-old bitch himself and believed she could be in pup for the first time.

She had been crowned Port Fairy Working Sheep Dog Trials Dog of the Year before coming into Henty.

“She did well although she was out of condition as I had a car accident in April, breaking two vertebrae in my back,’’ Mr Slater said.

“Jules worked no differently than any other day but you always hope for the best.

“It is important not to frighten the stock, the less talk the better and give not too many commands to the dog.

“I don’t whistle as my teeth were knocked out as a young fellow.’’

Mr Slater, who started trialling in 1983, had four dogs at Henty and is off to the Supreme Championships at Hawkesbury.

Meanwhile, the Murray Valley Yard Dog Championships were dominated by Robert Cox, of Manildra, and his dog Karrobar Captain under the eye of Chris Sellars.

The event drew 157 runs across four events.

Mr Cox won the event with the four-year-old dog, qualifying for the NSW Yard Dog Championships at Taralga in January.

“The sheep were tricky and the dogs had to be a little sensitive,’’ he said.