Winner Cost Two Shillings.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 9

Winner Cost Two Shillings.

Gay Rebel, who won the principal event at the Westland meeting at Hokitika on Boxing Day, cost his owners, Messrs G. R. Hunter and P. C. Webb, the modest sum of two shillings. It was his first success in the South Island in nine starts. Mr E. G. Bridgens, the president of the Auckland Trotting Club, offered Messrs Hunter and Webb Gay Rebel as a gift, but the latter said they would each give Mr Bridgens a shilling, and the deal was completed. To Ride at Tauherenikau. W. J. Broughton has accepted engagements to ride at Tauherenikau on Saturday on the opening day of the Wairarapa Racing Club's meeting. Cheval de Volee. The feat of Cheval de Volee in winning the Auckland Cup two years in succession has seldom been accomplished. The first horse to gain the distinction was Ariel, who won in 1876 and then proved successful again in 1878 and 1879, making three wins in all. However, this performance was ecclipsed by Nelson, when he won three times in succession in 1885, 1886 and 1887. a record that will probably stand for all time. Others who have won the race twice in succession since Nelson> have been Blue Jacket in 1899 and 1900. All Red in 1908 and 1909, and Cuddle in 1935 and 1936. Te Kara, who ran a dead-heat for first with Muraahi in 1923, was successful outright in 1924. Cheval de Volee was trained by his owner, Mr A. Rowan, for both victories. and ridden by H. Long. The success of Cheval de Volee on Tuesday was his first since he won the Taranaki Cup in March, in which he was ridden by the apprentice K. James. Prior to his win yesterday Cheval de Volee had started four times this season, his only glimpse of form being given in the Bledisloe Handicap on the second day of the Avondale Jockey Club’s second spring meeting, when he finished second to Ivy Willonyx. Cheval de Volee, who was bred by Mr Rowan, is a six-year-old gelding by Vaals, whose stock are racing with marked success at all distances, from Freezia. by Marble Arch, from Pretoria, by Cuirassier from Winnie, by Kingfisher. Freezia was 19 years old when Cheval de Volee whs foaled, and the family has produced many good performers. Winnie was the dam of Belmont, who won the Great Northern Hurdles in 1892, St Simon, winner of the same race in 1897, and Record Reign, who captured the Grand National Hurdles in 1900. St Simon won in the ownership of Mr R. H. Skipworth, now starter for the Auckland Racing Club. Pretoria produced the successful performers Veronica, Delegate and Soultoria.

After winning the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie in June, 1938, in which he was ridden by Long, Cheval de Volee was submitted to auction, and passed in at 1000 guineas. His total winnings now reach £6266 and two gold cups, each valued at £5O. FIXTURES. December 30, January I—Wairarapa.1—Wairarapa. December 30, January I—Greymouth. December 30, January I—Hawke’s1 —Hawke’s Bay. January I—Waikouaiti.1 —Waikouaiti. January I—Wyndham. January 1, 2 —Auckland. January 1, 2 —Stratford. January 1, 2—Marton. January 2, 3 —Southland.