THE REDWOOD STUD FARM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1790, 27 December 1883, Page 2

THE REDWOOD STUD FARM.

We think it will be generally conceded, not, only by the settlers of Waikato,; but by visitors to the district from all parts of the Island, more especially those concerned in the improvement of the respective breeds of our horses, that the district of Waikato* holds a foremost position in respect to its equine st >ck. Not only is the district possessed of a fairly large quota of blood and pure-bred stock of a very superior standard, but the stojk imported during s the season from outside districts places our settlers on a level with aim wt' any other district in N3\v Zealand. The object of this article is more immediately identified with our local stock, and the establishment and existence of the above stud farm, which, we think, is one of the first of its kind in the district, and is the result of individual -enterprise. Its establishment is of a recent date ; indeed, until the present season its existence has not come under the notice of the public. Efforts of this kind when they manifest themselves deserve to be chronicled, and if we can in any way forward the interest of th<Ke who undertake them in our midst, our end will be fully served. As moot of our readers are aware, the Redwood Stud Farm is situate about two miles from Cambridge, on the line of railway, aud is the property of Mr J. Allwill, one of Waikato's most enterprising ".sports." Sometime ago, it will be remembered, on Mr JR. H. D. Fergusson disposing of his interest in the Gorton estate, the thoroughbred entire horse Feve, well-known throughout the province, became the property of Mr Allwill. The success of the colt Victory and the filly Victoria in racing circles put a high value on F&ve stock, and brought the horse more prominently before the public. Mr Allwill being pleased with the performances of the above young.^teis, became determined to have the sire, and in purchasing him we feel sine did not in any way ovetrate his value. Having possessed himself of the sire of some good lacing blood, Mr Allwill's next move was to procure some of the be^t puro-bred Clydesdale blood obtainable in the colony ; and witli this object went down Houfcl), believing the Canterbury and Otago districts the most likely to afford a good choice. The result of this trip was the importation of Bonnie Prince and Young Piincj Charlie (at present known as Nugget.) Bonnie Prince was the property of Mrs Nimnio, of the Change, Taieri, near Dunedin, and was evidently a great favourite in that district, being the winner of no less than eleven first prizes — in fact he has never been beaten. He was landed at Auckland at a cost of neaily £400. By competent judges ho is said to be the best horse of his class in the province, and is now only about four years old. His pedigree is an excellent one. Though his trips through the district this season have been very limited, he has been vei y extensively patronised, and stands in high favour with local hoi -,e-breedeer->. Nugget (now travelling in the Whatawhata, Alexandra, and Te Awamutu districts), is also of the pure Clydesdale breed, and is an exceedingly handaome and compact little hoise. Before passing into the hands of tin 1 present owner, he was the property of Mr Stark, of Christclinich, and during his stay in that district is said to have thrown some excellent stock. Like his companion ho boasts of an excellent pedigree, and has now reached his seventh year. Mr Allwill is entitled to much credit for the enterprise he has shown in introducing Mich excellent pure-bied Clydesdale sires into the distnet, and theieby improving our local stock. Nugget was specially picked for the draught stock of this district, and being a .small, compact horse, with pood bone and muscle, should be admirably suited to the leggy mares of Waikato. Redwood boasts of three good thoioughbred mare-, in Memento, Clipper, and Polish, their stock having already made good names for themselves in the racing calendar of the province. Clipper is the mother of Fear Not, well-known in the Waikato, and now doing good woik on the turf down South. She is .also the mother of Victory, who has alieady made a good name on the turf ; and Victoria, who is out of Memento is likewise well-known in racing circles having some good performances to her name. Tins mare has now a foal at foot to Sterliugwoith; and the futuie of the youngster should be a very promising one. Polish, which is by Day-and-Mai tin out of Maichiouess lecentiy slipped her foal to Sterlingworth, and his no other stock on the farm. Theie are at piesent no les 1 ? than four Storlingwoith foals, one being out of Clipper and another out of Memento. The favourite steeplechaser (^uilp, who is now beginning to make a score for himself on the turf is at present at Redwood, and as Mr Allwill now keeps an experienced trainer on the farm, we have no doubt that his raciug stock are properly looked after. Fred Goldsmith is fit present in charge of Feve, and C. Lake in chaige of Bonnie Prince, young Peaison, otherwise known as " Chum " being Mr Allwill's light weight rider. A training couise has been made on the farm, upon which, during the visit of our reporter, Victoria, Victory, and Quilp were .sent for a '-pin together. All thiee looked in very fit condition and should give an account of themselves at tho Cambridge New Year's Meeting. Victoria and Victory were euteied for the Auckland Dei by, but owing to a mistake) did not aaoo^t in time. The ground hove is dry and level, aud much more pieferable for training on than the Cambridge course, which is now exceedingly sloppy and heavy in places. The stewards of the Cambridge Club would do well to lay off a proper training ground inside the course, erecting a dividing rail between both. During his visit to the South Mr Allwill procured one of Andrew and Bevin's chaff cutting machines, the best machine of its kind extant, together with a patent corn and bean crusher, both of which aw? worked by fcteani power. Not only aie there serviceable in .supplying his own stable with properly prepared feed, but he has received large orders from various parts of the district. We shall refer more fully to this machine in a future issue.