Race day nerves not just preserve of the punters

Student will sing national anthem for bigger crowd than she’s used to

Classical singer Anna Dolan is a bit anxious about today's performance at Ellerslie Racecourse.

The 16-year-old Epsom Girls' Grammar student has performed choir solos at national competitions in front of hundreds of her peers, but she says it'll be a bit different singing the national anthem, in front of thousands of punters, at Auckland Cup Day.

"I'm feeling a little bit nervous, but I think I'll be fine. It'll be a good experience," she said.

Anna, who will sing at about 5.40pm today in Maori and English, started studying classical singing at 12. She trained privately before beginning secondary school, where she was able to start lessons alongside other pupils. The year 13 student has also played trombone in her school's jazz band and sung in the senior choir since year 9 - and this year she is deputy head prefect too.

But there's no rest for this over-achiever, so Anna still has to go to school today.

"But I get some compensation for late homework because of my practising and the actual performance."

She says her parents will be at Ellerslie today, and her grandmother, who is her biggest fan.

"Nana has been bragging to all the extended family about it."

And although she got the gig through her school being approached by the Ellerslie Racecourse staff, she admits to knowing very little about horse racing - but she's got plenty of time to learn.

Gates open at 11am for today's racing, which features the $500,000 group one Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup - a gruelling 3200m race for horses of any age. The race dates back to 1874. For the race's 5.45pm start, thoroughbreds will be led on to the field by 2013 winner Sangster. Show The World is one hot contender - his mother Bazelle won the cup 10 years ago.

And there's the possibility of a world record being set today; if Noel Harris wins the race, he'll become the oldest jockey in the world to win a group one race.

Harris turned 60 this year, and in 2009 he became the oldest jockey to ride in the Melbourne Cup. He rode his first group one winner at Trentham Racecourse in 1972.

Other races today include the group three $70,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase and the group three $70,000 Westbury Classic and there will be plenty of food on hand thanks to Federal St restaurants The Grill by Sean Connolly and Peter Gordon's Bellota.

The action
• Today - Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day
• The day's $500,000 group one Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup dates back to 1874 and is a 3200m gruelling handicap race for any age horse.
• Other races on the day include the group three $70,000 McKee Family Sunline Vase and the group three $70,000 Westbury Classic.
• On the day, Federal Food in the Field will include a selection of dishes on offer from Federal St restaurants The Grill by Sean Connolly and Peter Gordon's Bellota, including duck-fat chips and lamb ribs with apple and honey.
• Gates open at 11am, first race is about 12.50pm, general admission $10, children under 15 free.

The odds
• Current race favourite:
5 Benzini, carrying 56kg, paying $5.50 win and $2.30 place
• Current race long shot:
13 Colonel Carrera, carrying 53kg, paying $61 win and $18 place; followed by 11 Lion Red, carrying 53.5kg, paying $61 win & $13 place

'Big bets'
• Fixed odds 'win' bets on today's big race:
• $4000 on Pondarosa Miss at $9 (possible return of $36,000)
• $2000 on Surpass at $18 (possible return of $36,000)
• $1500 on Pondarosa Miss at $9 (possible return of $13,500)
Source: TAB, correct as at 3.30pm yesterday.