Darley stallion Commands sired two new winners over the weekend to edge clear of Arrowfield champion Redoute’s Choice in the Australian individual winners’ premiership for 2009-10.

Commands (137) leads Redoute’s Choice (135) after the wins of Palands at Bundaberg on Saturday and She Commands at Cranbourne on Sunday.  They had been level-pegging since July 1 when Redoute’s Choice drew level with Sale maiden winner Triumphant Choice.

Redoute’s Choice has a slightly better strike-rate (50.8%) compared to Commands (47.7%).

Palands (4g Commands – Pallid by Marauding) won a support race on the Bundaberg Cup program by two lengths on Saturday for Deagon trainer Robert Hand.  His only other win before Saturday had been at the back end of the 2008-09 season at Tatura.  

She Commands (6m Commands – Mattie by Marscay) played her part the following day with a three-quarter length victory on a Heavy 8 surface at Cranbourne.  She is trained by locally by Judy Mawer and hadn’t saluted the judge since March 2008 at the Gold Coast.

Commands has been runner-up to Encosta de Lago in the last two Australian winners’ premierships.  The Coolmore resident is third on this year’s ladder with 132 individual winners.

Australian winners’ premiership

2009  Encosta de Lago   147
2008  Encosta de Lago   132
2007  Lion Hunter   133
2006  Flying Spur   131
2005  Flying Spur   127
2004  Encosta de Lago   107
2003  Danehill  116
2002  Danehill  109
2001  Scenic   96