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Kenny Rae’s punting mates may have felt short-changed after Kaharau won at Ellerslie, but they were all smiles after stablemate Major Tom followed suit in the closing event on Saturday.

The Ruakaka horseman gave the former little chance in the Westinghouse Nathan’s Memorial (2400m) and was much keener on the latter’s prospects in the Vodafone Events Centre Handicap (2100m).

“My tip was Major Tom, I thought he could win again, but I didn’t think Kaharau could win with the weight – I was wrong but who cares,” said Rae, who trains with his wife Lisa and their daughter Krystal Williams.

Kaharau’s victory under 60kg has put him right in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) picture.

His odds for the Barfoot & Thompson-sponsored feature tumbled from $61 to $14 after a determined dress rehearsal display to win Saturday’s open handicap.

Placed in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) in the spring,Kaharau led early for jockey Sam Spratt before trailing and he was back in front 300m from home.

The six-year-old showed the tenacious side of his nature in the straightto hold the challenge of Ladies First at bay to win by a short head. Araldo Junior gave a strong account of himself in his New Zealand debut to be a long head back in third.

Kaharau’s stablemate Major Tom had little trouble justifying Rae’s faith in the son of Redwood when he posted a clear-cut victory off the back of a Pukekohe success six days previously.

“He doesn’t need a heavy track, he’s a very talented horse on dead to slow tracks,” Rae said. “He’s really switched on in the last two or three months.”

Major Tom completed a double for apprentice Jasmine Fowcett, who had earlier been successful aboard the Bill Pomare-trained Rich Billie Marsh.