Racing: Mandela hopes to turn back the years

Mandela is an outside hope today. Photo / Dean Purcell

In terms of fairytale wins, it is hard to think of a scenario more magical than the one Mandela would conjure at Ellerslie today.

As late as two days ago, his owners David and Elizabeth Olsen had a lock on the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup with raging favourite Passchendaele.

But with a hairline cannon bone fracture sidelining their exciting star on Monday morning, the Olsens' hopes of cup glory now rest squarely on the ageing shoulders of a gelding who hasn't won a staying race since the 2008 Werribee Cup.

Still, the Olsens are leaving nothing to chance.

Keen to secure a big-race specialist familiar with their well-travelled 8-year-old, they've lured international Mark Zahra from Australia for the one mount.

Zahra, who partnered race rival Zavite into 19th place in Shocking's 2009 Melbourne Cup, was aboard Mandela in the Werribee Cup (2224m) success and in his upset win in the Seymour Cup (1600m) in Victoria last October. While Pukekohe trainer Richard Yuill conceded it would be a massive upset if Mandela gave the Olsens a bittersweet win today, the usual form rules don't always apply over the ultimate stayers' test. Take his upset effort for third in last year's Auckland Cup for example, carrying half a kilogram more than he lumps with Zahra.

Without much in the way of recent efforts to recommend him - a lot like today - the $34 outsider gave them all a fright when rider Opie Bosson took the initiative turning for home.

Yuill says another year on the clock - he's now the same age as Spin Around was when winning last year - and barrier draws have conspired against the 2004 New Zealand Derby runner-up's recent formline.

But he can't fault the horse's condition and trackwork since beating just one home in the Darci Brahma International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 13.

"I've got no complaints with Mandela - he's as well as I've ever had him," said Yuill.

"He looks a picture and is working well too. He should be competitive in a race like this.

"There are not a lot of horses in the field who have won in Brisbane, Melbourne and New Zealand - and run 9th in the Melbourne Cup [2006]."

Yuill says stablemate Grand Affair is "bred to stay all day". He only hopes rider Allan Peard can get the freewheeler some breathing space up front.

"If they leave her alone she'll give them a sight for a long time," said Yuill.

Yuill's best hope for punters in the $50,000 Pick6 chase today, however, could rest with talented 3-year-old Tossed And Turned (leg two).

The Secret Savings filly hasn't raced since finishing last in the group two Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

But she races well fresh - as she showed in winning impressively from the back at Ellerslie in the same grade last November - and Yuill says she's "working the tracks down" at home.