Preux Chevalier breaks record

Press, 19 August 1985, Page 31

Preux Chevalier breaks record

NZPA-AAP Melbourne The challenge was thrown down to New Zealand’s top pacers by the West Australian champion, Preux Chevalier, in a record-breaking victory at Moonee Valley on Saturday evening. The winner of the InterDominion Championships at Moonee Valley in March, Preux Chevalier returned to the scene of his greatest triumph in the best form of his career. Preux Chevalier is to contest the New Zealand Cup at Addington Raceway in November. Before making the trip to New Zealand, Preux Chevalier will contest the JPS Series at Brisbane’s Albion Park next month. The JPS Series features two $lO,OOO lead-ups to a $70,000 feature on September 21 and although Preux Chevalier is unlikely to clash with the Victorian

champion, Popular Alm, he will come up against equally strong opposition when he crosses the Tasman, including the New Zealand champion, Roydon Glen, which has won his last 12 starts.

On Saturday, Preux Chevalier dropped out to last after the start and his driver, Barry Perkins, did not make his move until the field turned out of the home straight with a lap to run. After taking the lead at the 500 m mark, Preux Chevalier appeared to be unpressured in his six-metre win from Panyan. Preux Chevalier rated lmin 57.7 s for the 1900 m, breaking the previous track record by 0.25. Preux Chevalier’s owners, Ken and Wendy Lavin, did not witness the victory. They were attending a New Zealand Cup promotion in Christchurch at the weekend.