Galileo mare Olimpica rekindled a winning connection for trainer Patrick Payne and owner-breeder Dennis Marks at Seymour on Wednesday.

Olimpica (4m Galileo – Yes I Will by Danzig) was racing third up after a 10 month spell yesterday but she needed every inch of the 2000 metre trip to nail the IASBet Maiden Plate.

Payne partnered numerous winners for Marks during his riding career.  One of the highlights was the G2 AAMI Vase aboard Ustinov on Cox Plate day in 2001.

Olimpica’s dam Yes I Will is an older half-sister to Ustinov.  After a career that also included G1 placings in the VATC Caulfield Guineas, AJC Champagne Stakes and VRC Australian Guineas, Ustinov was retired to stand at stud in New Zealand in 2003 and has been based there except for a one-off season in Victoria in 2008.

Their dam is none other that champion mare Let’s Elope who won 11 races in Australia and USA for Marks and his wife Margaret.  Now 23, she is enjoying a quiet retirement at Lauriston Park in Euroa.

Let’s Elope was retired to stud in 1995 and started with French stakes performers Yes I Will (Danzig) and Over The Moon (Storm Cat) before returning to Australia carrying Ustinov (Seeking The Gold).

Let’s Elope foaled Caught Courting (Danehill) a year after Ustinov and he won four races in Sydney and was stakes placed in Perth.  He is currently based at Greenvale Park in Queensland for a $6,600 service fee.

Marks pensioned Let’s Elope after her final two foals by Elvstroem.  Her three year-old is an unraced gelding named Outback Joe and he is in work with Colin Little.  Her two year-old has been named Karata and she has been given time being a late November foal.

Yes I Will is continuing the line with Olimpica and she can continue winning for Marks and Payne.  Yes I Will has a yearling colt by More Than Ready and she foaled a Bel Esprit filly on October 19.