Mr Gilmore's dog Anne was just 0.6 of a point behind the winner, Tim Stevenson, of Taihape, with Cruze, while Palmerston triallist Russell Peek and Roam were fourth.
The long head championship was won by Murray Child and Dice, from Whangarei. The finals of the zigzag hunt and the short head and yard will be held today.
Results and leaderboard.-New Zealand championship straight hunt: Tim Stevenson's Cruze (Taihape) 195.5 1, Zac Gilmore's Anne (Middlemarch) 194.9 2, Clark Chrystal's Nell (Tutira) 194.5 3, Russell Peek's Roam (Palmerston) 193.7 4, Bryce Jenson's Forste (Inglewood) 192.8 5, Michael McMillan's Base (Wairoa) 192 6, Samantha Shaw's Breeze (Gisborne) 178.2 7.
South Island championship long head: Graham Wellington's Murphy (Wanganui) 95 1, Neville Child's Harry (Whangarei) 92 2, Kevin Lamont's Trump (Cheviot) 91 3, Murray Child's Dice (Whangarei) 90.5 4, Stuart Millar's Rain (Darfield) 90.2 5, Eion Herbert's Storm (Wakefield) 90.1 6, Paul Evans' Richie (Kimbolton) 90 7.
New Zealand championship long head: Murray Child's Dice 185.5 1, Stuart Millar's Rain 182.2 2, Graham Wellington's Murphy 178.5 3, Paul Evans' Richie 176 4, Eion Herbert's Storm 175.1 5, Kevin Lamont's Trump 167 6, Neville Child's Harry 139.
South Island championship zigzag hunt: Hamish Parkinson's Shake (Owhango) 96 1, Dave Stuart's Gus (Ashhurst) 95.5 2, Alex Matthews' Rex (Wanganui) 95.25 3, Simon Prouting's Vince (Dannevirke) 95 4, Troy MacDonald's Jude (Hunterville) 94.75 5, Steve Kerr's Sam (Fairlie) 94.5 6, Mark Mallinson's Yeti (Geraldine) 94 7.
Short head and yard leaderboard: Ginger Anderson's Don (Omarama), Leo Edginton's Deal (Tolaga Bay), Dave Wallace's Toi (Kotemaori), Scott McRae's Skeata (Wellsford), Gavin Drake's Clyde (Hunterville), Lloyd Smith's Check (Palmerston), Jeremy Berry's Moon (Napier).
Dog of the Day: Opal
Three-year-old huntaway owned by Richard Hore, of Beaumont Station
Greatest trialling achievement: Won trophy at Otago championships for dog with the most points that started as a maiden at the start of the season. Another highlight was qualifying for New Zealand championships.
Worst habit: "The kids drag her around all the time.''
