Gillies and Kaye are again successful

Press, 12 July 1979, Page 20

Gillies and Kaye are again successful

Alan Kaye and Michael Gillies, w ho had some rewarding days with the champion chaser, Chumson, two years ago, teamed successfully again at Trentham yesterday. Tneir hopeful was Trajan, .runaway winner of the Mariri Steeplechase in the colours of his breeder Mr H. M. B. De Laout, of Waikanae.

Trajan cleared out in the last 800 m and won by 30 lengths from Hadley Chase, which had been responsible for much of the pacemaking in the 4000 m event.

Trajan came back bleeding [freely from a leg he opened 'when he belted the second I to last fence, and his immedi|ate programme is in doubt. I Trajan, a six-year-old by In | the Purple from a Targui mare Albaneta, was a consistent I place-getter as a hurdler in the Central Districts earlier in the year. He fell when tried as 3 ’chaser at Tauranga in lead-up race to yesterday, [but he gave a tradesman-like /Exhibition over Trentham’s figure-eight course, and he had it safely won well out. ' Hadley Chase went out to a longish lead on the first I circuit but Trajan and Whistping Cloud got several lengths [closer to him when the Taka nini gelding got in close at I the fence before the water lump the last time round. Whistling Cloud, the win favourite, was labouring under his weight four fences out, leaving Trajan to take up the chase after the leader. Trajan was in front 1000 m out, was 12 lengths clear joining the course proper in the run to the last fence, and it was as good as over. Had-

ley Chase saved second com-< fortably but it was close for! third between Fort Riley and; Arceen. |;

! Fort Riley was half a I length the better after they had had a real slog from the I last.