Cutting a dash at Auckland Cup Week

Helia Mahdavi and Craig Carter. Photo / Norrie Montgomery

It called for some last minute reshuffles, but the dismal weather failed to dampen spirits at the start of Auckland Cup Week.

The tables for yesterday's Telecom Derby Day at Ellerslie Racecourse were moved from open lawn areas to under waterproof shades, and bars were set up under marquees.

Even the fascinators and hats were spared the deluge, after the Mercedes Prix de Fashion competition was shifted to a room in the stands.

Winner 39-year-old Tricha Malachino said the entrants were grateful to avoid the wet grass with their heels.

She wore an ivory silk Dior number with cotton black lace overlay. The outfit took about 10 days to put together and was her second choice after her son didn't like the first ensemble.

"They know how to knock your confidence," she laughed.

She said she felt "good" in the outfit. "I felt like it suited me. I'm a slim person so it gave me a good silhouette."

But she didn't expect to take the grand prize package, including a Fiji cruise, a trip for two to Hong Kong and a year's use of a Mercedes-Benz sports car.

"I felt nice but there were other beautiful women much younger than me," she said.

There were two finalists from Christchurch. One dressed in red and black, and the other resorted to "plan B" after her accessories were lost in the earthquake.

Auckland Cup Week spokeswoman Natalie-Rose Rutherford said the calibre of entries was exceptionally high this year. Five finalists are usually selected but yesterday judges picked six, including one man.

She said a giant fibreglass horse-shaped moneybox was being used to collect money for the victims of the earthquake and a two-minute silence was held to remember those affected. The collection will continue throughout Cup Week.

Despite the bad weather, the turnout was "quite good", although the exact number will not be known until tomorrow. Rutherford said numbers appeared slightly down for infield events like the Telecom Carnival, a picnic and a party venue with food stalls, bars and music.

The event's website encouraged anyone wanting to attend to bring gumboots.

The afternoon's big race, the Telecom New Zealand Derby, was won by favourite Jimmy Choux - earning his owner $1.3 million.

He was ridden by Jonathan Riddell a jockey enjoying a winning streak with three recent $1m-plus wins.

Riddell announced last night he would be donating $5000 of his race fees to the Racing for Christchurch Relief Fund which aims to raise more than $1m.

Rutherford hoped the weather would improve for the week's highlights, Auckland Cup Day on Wednesday and Diamond Day on Saturday. Last night the MetService website forecast partly cloudy but dry conditions for Wednesday and a clear sky for Saturday.