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Kenny Rae’s Queensland fortunes have turned around after a rocky start to the carnival.

The Ruakaka horseman’s spirits were significantly boosted on Saturday at Doomben where his multiple stakes-winning filly Prom Queen finished runner-up in a three-year-old event over 1200m.

“It was a top effort and a bit of a stress reliever,” said Rae, who trains with his wife Lisa and their daughter Krystal Williams. “She’s come through the race really well.

“She’ll go to the Gold Coast next on June 2. She’ll either run in a 1000m race for three-year-olds or there’s a fillies and mares’ race over 1200m.

“I’ll nominate her for both and then have a look at the fields and the weights and decide which is the best option.”

Prom Queen’s effort gave Rae something to smile about after dismal Australian debuts from stablemates Kaharau and Patsys Lass.

The former finished well back in the Gr.3 Chairman’s Handicap (2200m) at Doomben and the latter failed to beat a runner home over 1400m at Caloundra.

“They were disappointing, a disastrous start really,” Rae said.

“Kaharau will run at the Gold Coast next and then we’ll see what happens and decide what to do with him after that.”

Patsys Lass, who transferred from co-owner and trainer Eamonn Green to Rae’s care for the carnival, is also nominated for a two-year-old race over 1200m on Wednesday.