Dave Shepherd and Hanny Allston remain in the lead after Easter Saturday, the first full day of competition at the Australian 3-Days, following yesterday’s prologue.

Shepherd won for the second time in succession, but had to work for his victory as he was behind for much of the course, following a one-minute error halfway around in the very fast terrain. Kerrin Rattray led for most of the way, but Shepherd finished strongly to pip him by three seconds. Grant Bluett was third a further 50 seconds back, on a day when the top ten were within 2.10 of the lead.

Allston’s run today was patchier than her dominant performance of yesterday, with two errors in mid-course after getting an early lead, and Elson got a break which was just enough to hold on, by three seconds. Kirsten Fairfax, in her best result for several years, completed the placings. Allston retains the overall lead, with Elson moving into second. Yesterday’s second-placegetter, Anna Quayle, was off the pace today, whilst Jo Allison did not start with a knee injury.

Simon Uppill was as dominant today as he was yesterday, and extended his overall lead to four minutes by finishing 2.20 ahead of a close bunch which included Murray Scown, Ryan Smyth and Chris Naunton. Sophie Barker, the pre-race favourite in W20E, who had a disappointing day yesterday, was much more convincing today and was also more than two minutes ahead there, with Heather Harding and Sarah Dunnage the next best. Kellie Whitfield is the overall leader from Heather Harding, but Barker has closed the gap from five minutes to two and will be one to watch.

Results (Winsplits, incomplete in some classes)