Auckland Cup Week Kicks Off In Style At Ellerslie

For Immediate Release
1 March 2008

Auckland Cup Week Kicks Off In Style At Ellerslie

Hats were firmly fastened and the pretty young things were out in force as Aucklanders swapped their traditional blue and white and donned the traditional black and cream for Mercedes Derby Day. Â

The highlight of the off course action was the Mercedes Prix de Fashion, the national final for racing fashion.

This year's winner, Pamela Mawson, won over the judges in a Trelise Cooper dress with vintage accessories. Her stunning outfit sees Ms Mawson drive away with a prize package worth $100,000 including a new Mercedes and a fabulous trip to Melbourne.

On the track it was a day for the outsiders with long shots storming home to win both feature races.

First Martini Red, jockeyed by Mark du Plessis, beat the bookies to take out race seven, the Darley Plate. Then, in the day's main race, the Mercedes Derby, C'est la Guerre, jockeyed by David Walker, out ran the field to take the first place cut of $700,000 in stakes.

This year Ellerslie hosted a record number of corporate marquees and the competition was on for them too. The prize for the best dressed marquee was hotly contested with Westpac Institutional Bank and their 1930's black and white inspired décor impressing the judges.

The next race day at Ellerslie is Stella Artois Auckland Cup Day on Wednesday 5 March, featuring the race that stops the nation, the Stella Artois Auckland Cup.
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Then it's ladies day on Saturday 8 March, where a whisper of diamonds will be on all the ladies lips. First Sovereign Trust Diamond Day Features the $200,000 First Sovereign Trust Stakes, the $175,000 Ford Diamond Stakes and one well dressed punter will walk away with a $25,000 diamond sponsored by Angela Daniel Jewellery.

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