KEY POINTS:
Lance O'Sullivan doesn't have to be on a horse to move fast.
At yesterday's Auckland Cup Day, the top jockey turned trainer hoofs it as he rushes from saddle room to members' stand. Then, mobile phone pressed to his ear, he's off to the owners' enclosure to brief his jockeys ahead of their next ride.
O'Sullivan squeezes in a question and answer session at a corporate hospitality tent and stops to be interviewed for television.
And, yes, during the action-packed 10-race afternoon he qualifies for entry to the winner's room, where the triumphant celebrate their win for 25 minutes before a bell rings in the little space with black and white striped walls, tasting victory with complimentary drinks, club sandwiches and a presentation from the race sponsor.
Media One, trained by O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, won Race 3.
Bonaichi took second in Race 6, in which other horses the pair trained, Keep the Passion and Dancing Forever, also ran.
Their Pentane - last year's cup winner - was second in the headline race, joined in the field by Midnight Prince.
Wearing a grey pinstripe suit, pink and white tie, polished black shoes and metal-rimmed aviator sunglasses, O'Sullivan is apparently more relaxed on race days now he's a trainer.
It's hard to believe, seeing him as he quickly greets racegoers and stops for a moment to chat to old friends.
But wife Bridgette, yesterday in a jade satin dress by Karen Millen, says O'Sullivan's work is now mainly done by race day.
He had nearly 14,000 career rides as a jockey and had 193 wins in a single season but no longer needs to worry about "jockey issues" such as his weight and fretting over whether the mountain of gear is packed, she says.
Still, he tosses and turns the night before the big day.
The SkyCity Auckland Cup carries a $700,000 prize pool. Around 12,000 spectators turn out at the track to watch. For those lucky enough to have bet on winners, it's one of the few places where $100 notes are seen in these days of cashless technology.
Trainer Lance Noble admits - after Kirra Sand takes out Race 5 - that winning at Ellerslie is tough but it makes for a bigger thrill.
Veteran trainer Jim Gibbs, who at age 68 and after 56 years in the business reckons this is his last year, says emotions run high.
Those with luck on their side wipe away tears.
"It's easy to be a winner," he says.
But watch as the jockeys who don't win try to explain why the horse didn't run well and the trainers tell the owners why a horse didn't finish in the winnings.
"The next day the results are fish and chip paper," says Gibbs, his speech fast like a race commentator's.
Gibbs dresses in a shirt and tie for the big race days.
He likes the way punters dress up for the races but thinks perhaps the $100,000 in prizes for last Saturday's Mercedes Prix de Fashion was a bit rich.
"I think you don't want to get too carried away with it myself. They'd come along for a lesser prize."
Gibbs, who recalls O'Sullivan riding several of his horses, says he is learning quickly in his role as trainer.
"He's smart. He'll be very successful."
What's On
Today
* Auckland Cup greyhound racing, Manukau Sports Bowl.
Tomorrow
* Karaka yearling sales, and Auckland Trotting Cup at Alexandra Park.
Saturday
* Diamond Day at Ellerslie Racecourse, a $26,000 diamond ring to be won.
