Twice is Nice for Fashion Winner at Auckland Cup Day

Twice is Nice for Fashion Winner at Auckland Cup Day

Auckland, Saturday 12 March 2016: It was Stacey Hanley’s best week in fashion. Having won at Auckland Racing Club’s Fashions in the Field last Saturday, the 36-year-old hairdresser from Pukekohe took the double, winning the Viva Prix de Fashion competition at Ellerslie today.

“I feel like I’ve won the quinella,” says Stacey whose $30,000 prize package includes representing New Zealand at the Myer Fashions on the Field at Crown Oaks Day at the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.

Stacey’s win crowned a stellar day on and off the track at the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day. Thousands of racegoers flocked to the public areas while the who’s who of racing, rugby and Auckland mingled in the hospitality marquees.

Racegoers embraced the sunshine and festive air, donning a wide colour palate of fashion. Auckland Blues players ferried punters around the course in special golf carts while some of the region’s best chefs, including MasterChef judge George Calombaris, delivered delicious morsels for their guests.

At the Fashion Village Stacey impressed the judges in a black and white check dress, with full skirt, pleating, hip pockets and a crop tank overlay, from Melbourne designer Toni Mateveski. The ensemble was described as ‘modern and directional, but with a touch of old-style Hollywood glamour’.

Judge and former Myer Fashion on the Field ambassador Rebecca Stoneman was very impressed with the standard of fashion displayed. “All eight contestants could easily grace the catwalk at Melbourne. The winner ticked all the boxes and understood the key trends.”

The Prix de Fashion is the culmination of Fashions in the Field competitions held at race courses all over the country, with the winners appearing in Auckland today. Eight finalists from as far afield as Taranaki strode the catwalk.

Capping off a stunning day, El Soldado, ridden by Darryl Bradley, won the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup. The nine-year veteran has placed in the marque 3,200m race previously and beat out much younger favourites.

Auckland Racing Club CEO Cameron George says he was thrilled with how the new Auckland Cup Week has gone. “We wanted to return the Auckland Cup to the people of Auckland by holding it on a Saturday and I am confident we have. Today’s turnout was above expectation – it has topped an amazing week of racing, fashion and fun.”

The glitz and glamour was evident at the Mumm Racing Village and the Swisse Glasshouse, with racegoers and well-known faces enjoying a Nebuchadnezzar 15 litre bottle of Mumm Cordon Rouge, entertainment by Hollie Smith and Sweet Mix Kids and exquisite food from Ben Bayly and Nic Watt.

ENDS

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