Racing: Betting on a big public turnout

Angela Mellsop leads Holmes DG down Broadway in Newmarket yesterday. Picture / Richard Robinson

The hats are in place, the horses are in the gate and the TAB is champing at the bit: Auckland Cup Day is upon us.

This is the first year the Cup has not been held on January 1, but Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver reckons the move to March will create a Melbourne Cup feel in the city.

"Auckland lacks a signature event. There's no reason why we can't make this Auckland's iconic event."

The Cup race is worth $600,000, and is a qualifying event for November's Melbourne Cup.

The race is the high point of Auckland Cup Week, and features international jockeys Olivier Doleuze - the Hong Kong-based French star, and Glenn Boss, three-time Melbourne Cup winner.

But for such events to work, the public has to get involved as well, and Mr Weaver wants as many Aucklanders as possible to say: "I am going to the races. I am going to put my suit on, or put my hat on."

ARC racing director Andrew Castles believes people should tell their bosses they will be "on a course" for the afternoon, then skive off early from work.

Strictly speaking, they would be telling the truth, he says.

The first race begins at 12.40pm, with the main event - the Auckland Cup - set to jump at 5.45pm.

That timing is deliberate, to allow workers an opportunity to get home, or down to the pub to catch the action on a big screen, Mr Weaver said.

The Auckland Cup is New Zealand's biggest betting race - beaten only by the Melbourne Cup - generating more than $2 million in bets, and a change of date is not likely to affect that, says TAB racing manager Michael Dore. "We are expecting the best Wednesday of the year. It is the biggest race New Zealand has ever run midweek."

The TAB supports the Auckland Racing Club's decision to move the event to a week day - from a betting point of view.

"Everyone plays the only game in town."

Newmarket got a taste of the races yesterday with a parade of champions including Derby winners Zonda and Hail and pacer Holmes DG.

Race: The Auckland Cup.

When: Today, 5.45pm.

Purse: $600,000.

Favourites: Pentane ($4.50 to win), Zarius ($5), Genebel ($8), Kind Return ($14). (Odds as of 3.30pm yesterday.)

The best way to bet: One expert suggests placing three times the win bet on a place, so as to protect yourself in the event your horse does not actually come first.