Apprentice Tim Bell celebrated his 19th birthday in style when Gold Coast mare Rare Subject was successful at Doomben on Saturday.

Rare Subject ($19) led all the way in the Mittys Class Six Plate to record her first win in two starts for new trainer Les Kelly who took over preparing the five-year-old mare from the disqualified Darryl Hansen in December.

Bell recorded his win in front of parents Grant and Keily Bell who made the trip from Narrabri in western NSW to watch their son ride on his birthday.

“There won’t be too much celebrations going on tonight,” Bell said.

“I’ve got a couple of decent rides for Patinack Farm tomorrow so I’ll need to take things easy.”

Bell, who is the Queensland stable rider for Patinack Farm, took the initiative to lead on Rare Subject who beat Bang On ($14) by four lengths.

Kelly expected Rare Subject to take a sit off the pace but gave Bell no instructions.

“We knew there was no speed in the race but I thought Tim would sit second or third,” Kelly said.

“But I left the final decision up to Tim.”

Bell gave Kelly some encouraging signs for the future after dismounting from the daughter of Red Ransom.

“There wasn’t much pace on in the race and I expected Chris Munce (Break The Ice) would lead but when he didn’t I let her stride up the front,” Bell said.

“She managed to get away with some very cheap sectionals but I think she’s got a bright future.

“She’s a big lean mare who looks like she’ll run all day and has a good future as a stayer.”

Bell only returned to riding last week from a careless riding suspension.

During his time on the sidelines Bell was hospitalised for two days with pneumonia and was then forced to delay his riding comeback due to a mystery stomach bug.