Racing: Raes look to break drought

Nine weeks is a long time between drinks if that is the last time you saddled a winner.

But Ruakaka trainers Kenny and Lisa Rae hope to have something to celebrate on their home track tomorrow.

Mayflower was their last winner at Blenheim in late April after Rose Tattoo posted Kenny Rae's 200th winner as a trainer the week before at Dargaville.

"It seems like nine months," he said. "It is hard to believe this is our best season so far with 22 wins on the board. The previous best was in the 2002-03 season when we had 18.

"We haven't had any horses capable of handling the heavy winter tracks recently but we're confident of some good performances on Saturday with the better track conditions."

The couple will saddle five runners, including two fresh gallopers in race one, D'Cash Man and Savannah Al Jamal.

Both horses have long range plans heading towards the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton in November. D'Cash Man is aimed at the Stewards Handicap and Savannah Al Jamal at staying races.

D'Cash Man hasn't raced since failing in an open sprint at Riccarton on February 22 and will be ridden by 3kg-claiming apprentice Brendan Hutton.

"The horse has a good record fresh and is forward enough," Rae said. "We've opted for the apprentice claim to bring him into the race on a competitive weight. He'll be out in front and if he gets a big enough break he will be hard to peg back."

Savannah Al Jamal resumes after scoring a double at Riccarton in February.

She was trained in the South Island by Bruce Smith before her owners Les and Jenny Booth transferred her to the Raes.

"We've known Les and Jenny for a long time and they helped us along our way in the early years when they owned the feed merchant store in Kumeu, Premium Grain.

"It is nice to be able to repay their faith in us."

Savannah Al Jamal is a granddaughter of 1988 Auckland Cup winner Sea Swift and Rae said the longer races later in the year will be right up her alley.

"If Saturday's race was 1400m and not 1200m I'd be confident but she will be finishing off strongly when the others are tiring," he said.

Flash Hapi will start in race three for the team after failing twice at Ellerslie.

"I thought he'd handle the wet ground at Ellerslie but he never went a stride in it."

"He has a good draw and his work has been good."

Rose Tattoo (race six) is hasn't raced since winning on April 19 but shapes as a strong chance while fresh.

" The only question mark is if the 1400m will be a touch far."

The stable's last runner is Lady Privateer in race eight to be ridden by local rider Reon Aukett. "Reon knows the horse and has ridden her well before. The 1600m is going to be ideal."