KEY POINTS:
A phantom race call which had last year's Auckland Cup champion Pentane winning again entertained the frocked-up crowd at the Auckland Cup Charity Ball at Sky City on Tuesday.
The event raised money for the Catwalk Trust for spinal cord injuries.
Former New Zealand equestrian and namesake of the trust Catriona Williams provided a highlight by performing wheelies on the dance floor. She has been confined to a wheelchair since a riding accident.
The proceedings included a message from new patron Richie McCaw and a series of mercifully brief auctions.
Racing notables Lance and Bridgette O'Sullivan - the MC - looked none the worse for what would have been a very busy week.
International guests included Sydneysiders Kate Waterhouse and her partner Luke Ricketson. Waterhouse is daughter of Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse and Ricketson is a former rugby league international and Australian Dancing with the Stars contestant. Sadly the event didn't lend itself to any reality show reprise from Ricketson.
