The Ruakaka trainer turned up at Oamaru last month with Flash Hapi to win a rating 85 1600m race.
But yesterday, it was the turn of Hapi Assassin to return at the head of the field after the 2yr old 1200m maiden at the Waimate Racing Club's meeting at Oamaru.
The son of Coats Choice is out of Elle's Aura, who is a half sister to Flash Hapi.
Rae had some reservations on how Hapi Assassin might cope with the bends, as the gelding has largely been kept to the chute at Riccarton, other than a start at Ellerslie in late March.
''He went to Ellerslie fresh up over 800m and got lost coming around the bend,'' Rae said.
''I basically said to Ryan [Bishop, jockey] if he jumps good, try and rail to try and get around here, because all the time at Riccarton, he gets lost across the junction.
''He's not even focused yet. He's quiet enough but the brain's not properly there. Even Ryan said today he wanted to pull up. He's going home for a spell now.''
Another horse off to the spelling paddock is The Groomsman.
The Sophie Price trained 7yr old could have been running his last race yesterday, as Price did not want to see the gelding being outpaced in his races, but he showed plenty of will for the fight to grind down Odabella in the rating 65 2200m.
It was a day for the older horses, as The Bishop grabbed the spoils in the $25,000 Waimate Cup.
The 8yr old's victory took his career earnings over the $100,000 mark with the $15,625 winning stake.
''He's won most of it this year, too,'' co trainer Ray Dennis said.
Apprentice jockey Racha Cuneen steered home The Bishop after earlier guiding The Groomsman home.
His two wins takes him to 43 wins for the season, clawing back ground on Samantha Wynne (48 wins) in the quest for the South Island apprentice jockey title.
Cuneen (23) has the premiership in his sights, but has other targets in mind if he cannot chase down Wynne.
''If I don't beat her, I'm quite happy to reach for my goal of 50 wins this season,'' Cuneen said. He praised his riding master, Neill Ridley, for his vast improvement this year - going from nine wins last season to 43 and counting this season.
''Mr Ridley's tutoring has really helped me and got my head in the right space and everything's going well.''
Kylie Williams was taken to Oamaru hospital for observation after Tudor Lily haemorrhaged and died with 800m to go in the rating 75 1600m.
Williams had a sore lower back, but stewards said it was muscular pain rather than a spinal injury.
