Archangel answer to trainer's prayer

WINNER: Tauherenikau trainer Henry Gillies. PHOTO/FILE

Yesterday was a red letter day for Tauherenikau horse trainer Henry Gillies, who trained his first ever winner.

The galloper who broke the duck for Gillies was Archangel, a 5-year-old gelding who took out the Marley 1200 Maiden at Waverley returning punters a very healthy $11.40 a win and $4 a place.

Gillies, who is a "one-man band" and has only a small team in work, said it was an "amazing feeling" to lead in a winner.

He has been at Tauherenikau for four years and, apart from training, breaks in young horses and pre-trains.

Archangel did it in style too, having over a length to spare on his opposition at the post.

And to make matters even more memorable the third-placed horse in the race was the outsider Goldysox, also trained at Tauherenikau, by Bill Armstrong.

The two helped put together a trifecta returning $1460 for a $1 investment.

But Gillies said he hadn't given the trifecta the thought, but he had supported Archangel on the tote.

He has three in work just now and would like to build that to six.

"Being on my own with them, I wouldn't like to have more than six," he said.

Archangel is owned jointly by six owners and was ridden to victory in this race by apprentice Brett Murray.