Waikato Stud's Garry Chittick says he has known Michael Coleman since the jockey was a boy.

And he could couldn't have been happier when the leading rider brought home Chittick's home-bred mare Costume to win the Group One International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, coming from well back to just top off Shuka.

Chittick began his breeding career in the 1970s in the lower half of the North Island at Thornton Park, and Coleman's father Peter was with him.

"When we went to Thornton Park, Peter came with us, because I didn't know a thing about stallions. He was my man and Michael was about six," Chittick said.

"I'm delighted he's shared in this with us. His father would be proud."

Coleman said he appreciated the chance to ride for Chittick, especially given the family connection.

Costume had run second in the Group One Thorndon Mile in handicap company at her previous start but she made the transition to weight-for-age company look easy, coming from off the pace to narrowly beat Captain Cook Stakes winner Shuka.

"She's impressed me all the way through. She's a good-class mare and it probably won't be her last Group One," Coleman said of the Savabeel mare.

"She really dug deep when she saw Shuka."

Shuka was just a nose behind in second, the pair running down The Solitaire, who looked set to win 300m from home but who veered out under pressure.