Feverish anticipation for racing's richest prizes

Countdown begins for the $2.2million Telecom New Zealand Derby and Mercedes Prix de Fashion

 

The country’s richest race kicks off the biggest week in New Zealand sport this Saturday, with jockeys riding for $15,000 a second in the Telecom New Zealand Derby on the first day of Auckland Cup Week.

 

Thousands are expected to flock to Ellerslie for one of the most hotly contested Derby’s since this iconic race was first staged there in 1875.

 

The increased stakes have generated huge interest from local owners and trainers who are eyeing the $2.2 million prize. While many have held off selling their best three-year-olds to wealthy off-shore interests in anticipation of the race, for others the opportunity to cash in on lucrative last minute offers has proved too tempting.

 

Two horses have changed hands this week with overseas interests buying the late entry Puttanesca and the highly fancied Easy Ryder.

 

Puttanesca will now race for Hong Kong interests while Easy Ryder has been purchased by clients of high profile Australian trainer David Hayes.

 

Auckland Racing Club Director of Racing Andrew Castles says, “While both sale prices are undisclosed they will be for huge amounts. This race has generated overseas interest in New Zealand horses like never before and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more activity before Saturday, with the winner taking home $1,300,000* of the $2,200,000.”

 

The Derby is renowned internationally as the quintessential horse race. There are Derby’s in every major racing nation including the world renowned Kentucky and Epsom Derbys.

 

This year race goers are being encouraged to celebrate the tradition of the Derby by dressing in black and white, the colours of the Earl of Derby

 

As sponsor of the big race, Telecom is searching for the person wearing the best and most elegant black and white themed outfit on-course with an OKTA Touch Telecom mobile worth $799 for the winner.

 

Telecom Derby Day also features the Mercedes Prix de Fashion, the country’s richest and most exclusive raceday fashion competition with regional winners competing with entrants on the day for the winner takes all prize package.

 

The$100,000 package includes a Mercedes CLC 200K Coupe, travel and beauty prizes, as well as automatic entry into Australia’s leading fashion competition MYER Fashion on the Fields during Melbourne Cup Week 2009.

 

The 2007 Mercedes Prix de Fashion Winner Lorraine Cookson went on to take the big prize in Melbourne that year.

 

Racing starts at 12.15 on Saturday and the action packed day continues whatever the weather.

 

Auckland Cup Week offers almost $5 million in stakes, fashion prizes and trophies across three action-packed race days. The celebrations at Ellerslie are part of a week-long festival of racing with a total prize purse of $7 million across the three racing codes of thoroughbreds, harness and greyhounds.

 

The morning after Telecom Derby Day, thoughts will turn to preparations for the signature race of the week, the Stella Artois Auckland Cup.

 

A special Blessing of the silks takes place in the Newmarket Room at Ellerslie Racecourse at 10.30am on Sunday March 1, with owners and trainers from all racing codes invited to have their colours blessed.

 

The official Auckland Cup Week Parade of Champions down Broadway Newmarket takes place from midday. The parade celebrates all three racing codes alongside fashion and the best that Newmarket, the Official Fashion Precinct of Auckland Cup Week, has to offer.

 

For the official schedule tickets and hospitality options visit www.aucklandcupweek.co.nz

 

Ends

 

Notes to the Editor:

* The horse that wins the Telecom New Zealand Derby takes home just under 60% of the total $2.2 million prize purse – $1.3 million.

 

TELECOM NEW ZEALAND DERBY:

Current favourites: Jungle Boots and Easy Ryder both trained by Roger James