Ellerslie still a winner for fashions and fun

Vanessa Malam (left), Nicole Brown, Grace Compston and Joanne Erceg show their takes on raceday fashion at Auckland Cup Day. Photo / Dean Purcell

Fascinators were clutched to heads and champagne glasses rattled as a blustery wind blew through Auckland Cup Day at Ellerslie Racecourse yesterday.

The midweek date and the changeable winds resulted in a relatively small crowd gathering in the stands to drink, have a flutter and holler at the horses.

Ellerslie Ambassador Bridgette O'Sullivan said the turnout was fair, considering the conditions.

She said the Auckland Racing Club was slowly building the Auckland Cup Day into a midweek carnival.

"We would like to eventually build it into our own Melbourne Cup Week. It would be wonderful if we could turn it into a public holiday here.

"There are huge spinoffs economically from the race days. Fashion is just one component. Hotels, shops, and others all benefit."

Hamilton student Hamish Smith, attending his fourth Auckland Cup Day, was elated at his $100 return from betting on Mill Duckie, winner of the Mercedes Benz Sunline Vase race.

The 21-year-old said he would toast his win with some champagne.

It was water only for Prime Minister John Key, who arrived late in the day to "celebrate the Cup".

He met jockeys and race-goers, and planned to have a bet "as soon as a spare moment comes up".

The Stella Artois cup day also drew families. Mother Misha Kavka brought her daughter Eva, 2, to the event for the first time.

"I love it here," said Ms Kavka. "I come for the rhythm of the horserace - although my 2-year-old can ruin that rhythm sometimes. I had to explain to her that a horse with no rider is not a good thing. She was cheering wildly for a horse that bolted."

In the $1 million feature race, the crowd rose to congratulate winner Spin Around - a rank outsider who paid $57.90 for the win - but also cringed as jockey Mark Du Plessis was thrown from Casa De Campo on the home straight.

A Hamilton father-and-daughter partnership were "completely shocked" to win the Couple Coutoure competition, which acknowledged the best-dressed duo.

Edward and Tyne McBriar entered the competition on a whim.

Their prize includes a weekly beer delivery until next year's Cup Week.