Prior to the show all the whispers were about the Kamballie ram and whether it would take out the coveted award, after gathering many admirers following its recent showing at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Victoria, last month and its success at this year's Wagin Woolorama.
The ram was named Scofield after the famous escapee on TV show Prison Break due to its numerous escaping and jumping escapades at home, which included a more than 20 kilometre breakout attempt the night before last year's Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days.
Scofield certainly didn't escape the judges' eyes with its wool quality and size in the judging ring.
But it didn't have it all its own way and there were definitely a few anxious occasions for Kamballie stud principal Shayne Mackin during the judging.
But he need not have worried as the judges had picked Scofield as a clear standout from the beginning and Scofield lived up to his favouritism like Usain Bolt did in the 100 and 200 metres events at the London Olympic Games.
The win for the Mackin family's Yorkrakine-based stud marked the first time it had taken out the top award at the Katanning event and followed on from exhibiting Scofield as their first supreme exhibit at this year's Wagin Woolorama.
Scofield was challenged strongly for the title by Claypans's top medium wool Poll sire and a young March-shorn Merino ram from the East Mundalla stud, Tarin Rock and another strong wool ram from Kamballie.
In winning the supreme award it also meant the Kamballie ram became the WA Ram of the Year and earned the right to represent WA in the national judging next week at Dubbo.
But after being sold in the sale to the East Mundalla stud, Tarin Rock, for $15,000, both studs agreed the ram would not be going to Dubbo and as a result Claypans' grand champion Poll Merino ram will represent WA in the national judging.
On announcing the Kamballie ram as the supreme exhibit, strong wool judge Rod Butcher, Hurstdene stud, Mukinbudin, said it was hard the fault and looked the part right through the judging, making it hard to go past.
"He is something out of the box," Mr Butcher said.
"He is a big, upstanding ram with excellent structure just like we need for the industry.
"Coupled with this he carries a very good, strong wool fleece all over. Not only is its wool quality good, but there is plenty of it.
"He is awesome, just a great all round sheep with everything you look for in a Merino today."
Also standing in the supreme line next to Scofield and the Claypans Poll Merino sire was a well-balanced superfine wool Merino ewe from the Misty Hills stud, Kojonup and an extremely even and well-made medium wool Poll Merino ewe also from the Claypans stud, Corrigin.
Prior to being sashed the supreme exhibit, Scofield made it easily through the early championship judging to be sashed the grand champion Merino ram and grand champion August shorn Merino ram.
The run to the top for Scofield started when it was sashed the champion August shorn strong wool Merino ram, ahead of two other entries in one of the opening classes of the day.
The six-tooth, 161kg (at June 30) ram which was sired by Woodyarrup Lionel and out of a Barloo Impact 76 ewe, measured 21.8 micron, 3.3 SD, 15.1 CV and 98.8pc comfort factor.
In the prestigious Elders Field Day Four Competition it was the Barloo stud, Gnowangerup, which reigned supreme in the Merino section ahead of a team from the Woodyarrup stud, Broomehill.
In the Poll Merinos it was a classy team from the Kolindale stud, Dudinin, which came out in front over a team from the Anglesey stud, Gnowangerup.
The Landmark Production Class was won by a Merino ram exhibited by the Angenup stud, Kojonup, while second place went to a Poll sire from the Eastville Park stud, Wickepin.