Joseph has enjoyed a brilliant month, leading Japan to a victory over Ireland and to the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup before being touted as a contender for the soon-to-be vacant All Blacks coaching job.
The former blindside flanker added a slightly more humble achievement in Highlanders country when his galloper, Shirley Maude, won at yesterday's Gore meeting.
Joseph races the 5yr-old with his former All Blacks team-mate Simon Culhane, Culhane's wife Lisa Vaughan, who trains the horse, and her father Ray Vaughan.
Shirley Maude bounced back from a below-par run in her last start over 1600m with a gritty effort to win yesterday's 1200m open sprint.
Given Shirley Maude is owned by rugby enthusiasts, it was perhaps appropriate that in the race, rider Terry Moseley found Accidental Offside to follow.
The pair peeled off the rail before the turn before Shirley Maude wore down runner-up, The Bumper, in a home straight battle to win by a head.
Vaughan produced a second winner at Gore yesterday when Morrellmac won the final event.
