The World sheep shearing record attempt by Te Kuiti shearer Stacey Te Huia has been abandoned with the target of 721 having slipped out of reach by lunchtime.
But it's far from the end of the road for the 36-year-old Te Kuiti gun, who heads back to his Australian baseto start preparing for a merino record next month near Dubbo.
After five and a half hours of the nine-hour day, Te Huia was 13 down on the pace set by Hawke's Bay shearer Rodney Sutton when he set the record eight years ago.
Te Huia shore 155 in the opening two hours, and 140 and 132 in the next two runs of 1hr 45mins each to reach 427, which compared with Sutton's 158, 140 and 142 for a total of 440 at the same stage.
Discussions entering the lunch break at Te Hape Station, east of Benneydale, led to the decision to pull-out, and which was announced by co-judge Paul Harris.
Te Huia, whol holds two other World shearing records and was making his second attempt at the solo nine-hour tally, has been training for eight months.
Neil Fagan, one of the support crew, said: "It takes a special man to break this record - it takes a special man to try it."
Still looking fit and fresh, but mildly emotional, the disappointed Te Huia told about100 helpers and spectators: "Thanks to everyone who's helped over the year. We had a go, but it didn't work out. We'll just move on with the next one."
