Pokeno owners David and Elizabeth Olsen and Pukekohe trainer Richard Yuill landed a notable double yesterday with Mandela in the $A123,000 Seymour Cup and Comme Tu Veux in the $50,000 Ray Coupland Stakes at Ashburton.
The 8yr-old Mandela, having his first race for seven months, came from back in the field under 59kg.
His previous win was the Werribee Cup at Geelong 12 months ago.
Mandela has also won the 2006 Geelong Cup, the group three Chairman's Handicap at Doomben, the listed Jim and John Evans Handicap at Pukekohe, Avondale Guineas and Wellington Stakes.
He has won nine races and over $900,000 in stakes.
Yuill, who was at Seymour, said Mandela would continue on the country cups circuit over the next month.
Comme Tu Veux was promoted from second in the Coupland Stakes.
Corsage, first past the post by a neck, was relegated to second after causing interference to Comme Tu Veux twice in the run home.
Comme Tu Veux, who won twice as a 2yr-old last season, has been entered for the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas at Riccarton on November 14.
She has been in the care of Tommy Hazlett at Ashburton.
Comme Tu Veux was bred by the Olsens, who bought her back for $80,000 at the select yearling sale at Karaka.
She is by Howbaddouwantit and the second foal of Justa Babe, by Flying Spur.
"I will have to talk to Tommy and see how she comes through the race before I decide on her programme," Yuill said.
The previous filly to win the Coupland Stakes was Princess Coup in 2006.
She ran second to Dorabella in the New Zealand One Thousand Guineas that year.
The judicial report stated that Corsage raced greenly throughout and shifted out abruptly on Comme Tu Veux at the 150m.
Sam Spratt, the rider of Comme Tu Veux had to take a hold of her mount and steady.
Corsage then shifted in at the 50m, causing Spratt to stop riding.
James McDonald, the rider of Corsage, changed the whip into his left hand in an effort to keep his filly straight.
No charge was preferred against McDonald as the stewards considered the wayward tendencies of Corsage were beyond his control.
