NEW TRAINING FARM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27376, 15 June 1954, Page 5

NEW TRAINING FARM

[ MR R. A. MCKENZIE’S 1 PROJECT (New Zealand Press Association) j WELLINGTON, June 14. Mr R. A. McKenzie, of Lowry Bay, is establishing in the Trentham district a ■ private training farm. The ultimate aim k is that it shall develop into a small - breeding stud. In the meantime, young ‘ horses will be trained under J. S. Hunter, who will be trainer and farm manager. ■ Mr McKenzie, whose father is Sir John McKenzie, a leading trotting owner and ’ breeder, has purchased 30 acres from the Craig Estate. The property flanks the r Hutt river on the Moonshine road. I Earth-moving machines have completed ; the formation of a half-mile track through native bush. The scheme is only in the developmental stage at present, but, in time, when permits for capital improve- . ments are available ranges of boxes and a farm manager’s home will be erected. ' For the time being, accommodation, for horses is temporary. Of his new venture, Mr McKenzie said he did not envisage anything that would rival Roydon Lodge (his father’s breeding establishment at Yaldhurst). Jack Hunter has trained horses for t me with some success,” said Mr Mc- ‘ Kenzie, “and he will have charge at the new farm, where we hope to start off with a few already in training and de'Velop some young horses each season.” Owns Highland Kilt Mr McKenzie is the owner of the highclass trotter Highland Kilt, one of the best horses of his gait at present in training. This horse may be given a season at the stud on the property, tnough at present it is not proposed to have a sire permanently quartered there. Hunter, who lives at Taita and trains at Hutt Park, has won races for Mr McKenzie with Roaming and Rocky Reef. In addition to this pair. Hunter wHI handle for Mr McKenzie a two-year-old by Light Brigade from Madam Dicta-

tor, and a four-year-old by Highland Kilt from Princess Gaillard. Also, for Mr p R. Vance, he will have a filly by U. n Scott from Esprit. a Hunter’s own horses are Royal Charge, , winner of a double at the recent Welling- ’□ ton winter meeting, and Quite Right. » The foundation brood mares on the " new property will be Madam Dictator (Josedale Dictator—Bingen Reel) and f Mary Wootton (Springfield Globe—Pari.j sienne), a half-sister to La Mignon, winfl ner on Saturday of the New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton in the colours of Sir John McKenzie.