Hapi Ella better for southern campaign
WELLINGTON: South Island formlines were to the fore when Hapi Ella won at Ruakaka on Saturday.
Ruakaka trainers Ken and Lisa Rae and Krystal Williams produced the 2yrold for a speedy victory over 900m, following a fourstart South Island campaign.
Since returning to home base, the Coats Choice filly has significantly lifted her game, Ken Rae said.
‘‘Since she came back from Riccarton her work has been sensational.’’
Hapi Ella is closely related to Flash Hapi, who won eight races for Rae and placed in the group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap.
Rae has no immediate plans to return south. Instead, he will aim Hapi Ella at North Island features.
‘‘She’ll come back [to Ruakaka] 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 blacktype company, having finished sixth at her previous outing in the listed Champagne Stakes (1200m).
The filly was ridden at Ruakaka by Chris Johnson, who gained a double after winning the last race at Wingatui on Friday with Taponisme.
‘‘Having had a few starts before helped her and we drew well. I got a run through the middle and she held on well,’’ he said.
The Rae and Williams stable also won with Major Tom at Ruakaka on Saturday.