A family that has served Kenny Rae so well brought him further success on his home course on Saturday.

The Ruakaka trainer produced Hapi Ella, one of four runners he had in the race, to win the Almanzor At Cambridge Stud 2YO (900m) and gain a result he had been expecting.

“Since she came back from Riccarton her work has been sensational and I thought she would beat the others,” said Rae, who prepares the youngster with his wife Lisa and their daughter Krystal Williams.

Hapi Ella is a chestnut daughter of Coats Choice and closely related to Flash Hapi, who won eight races for Rae and placed in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m).

“She’ll come back here in two weeks and if she goes well we’ll be looking at the Ryder Stakes and maybe the Northland Breeders’ Stakes,” Rae said.

Hapi Ella has already raced creditably in black type company, having finished sixth at her previous outing in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m).

She was ridden at Ruakaka by Chris Johnson, who said he enjoyed a trouble-free run with the filly.
“Having had a few starts before helped her and we drew well. I got a run through the middle and she held on well.”

Debutante Trouble, the first ride back in New Zealand for Bridget Grylls, raced on the pace and fought on well for second ahead of another first-starter in Recension.

The winner’s stablemates Keep The Cash and Lumberjack, who came from a clear last on the turn, were next to finish.

Video replay:  Hapi Ella winning the Almanzor at Cambridge Stud (900m)