Star colt to electrify Ellerslie

Xtravagant horse. Photo / race.images@clear.net.nz

What does a $15 million horse look like? If you head to Ellerslie today you might get to see, because New Zealand's most exciting racehorse makes his Auckland debut in the $50,000 New Zealand Herald Stakes.

Xtravagant stunned racing fans in Australasia when he won one of New Zealand's greatest races, the 2000 Guineas, at Riccarton by 8 lengths last month.

The phone of his managing owner, David Ellis from Te Akau Racing, has been going crazy ever since. "I have had every major stud farm in Australasia ring up and try and buy either a share in him or simply buy him outright," says Ellis.

"If he goes on to win the Australian Guineas in March, he will be worth between $15 million and $30 million."

Meanwhile, Ellerslie boss Cameron George says while huge interest has seen general admission tickets for the Grandstand side of the track today sold out, latecomers can still attend.

"We still have infield tickets for sale and you can buy those at the gate," says George.

"That means you are inside the track and as well as getting the same race viewing, betting and food and beverage options as general admission, people in the infield also have live bands all day and a heap of entertainment. So people can still come along on the day."

Boxing Day races by the numbers

20,000 Expected size of the crowd.

$710k Stake money on offer.

56kg Average riding weight of the jockeys. 1876mLength of Ellerslie track.

382m Length of Ellerslie's home straight.

15km Distance run by the horses.

1500 Number of horse shoes that will be used.

300 Number of food and beverage staff who will work.

250kg Each of chicken breast, pork belly and lamp rump served.

100kg Each of fresh line fish, lobster and blue fin tuna served.

2400 Half-shell rock oysters served.

200kg Of prawns served.