Need an insider tip? Keen to know how the track is shaping up?
Here's your preview to our upcoming raceday complete with Craig Baker's thoughts on the day's feature races, speed maps, track manager Jason Fulford's report and some tips from the office lads.
Track update
The track reading this morning (Friday 12 March) was a Dead 6. The track is expected to dry to a Dead 5 this afternoon and be in that range on race morning.
With a fine day tomorrow, the track could be upgraded to a Dead 4.
As at 9am Saturday morning the track was a DEAD 4 with the rail position = 4m.
Here's what our track manager Jason Fulford had to say about the track earlier this morning (Friday 12 March):
Feature race preview
Race 9, 5.25pm, $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup® | SW&P | 3200m
My on top selection is the German bred, Sound. His run in the Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup with 59kg was excellent and under the set weight penalties conditions of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup®, he drops to 57kgs.
In addition, many of his rivals from the Avondale Cup go up in weight. Sound is proven over 3200 metres and if he can have luck early from a sticky gate, I expect him to be too classy.
The dangers include Platinum Invador and Star Tsar
More good things to know about Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day®:
Timings
11.00am: Gates including Ascot Stand and fashion registration opens
12.40pm: Race 1 (of 10)
5.25pm: Group 1 $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup
6.05pm: Race 10 (of 10)
THEN: the official onsite after-party kicks off in Cuvée
6.40pm: The All Star Mile featuring NZB Karaka Million 2YO & 3YO winner, Probabeel, will be screened in The Winning Post, ground floor, Ascot Stand and the Newmarket Room, ground floor, Ellerslie Stand (free entry to all at that time).
Yachting
Also, in addition to the horse racing, the yachting will be screened on course in various locations
Tickets
General admission tickets are available to purchase
- Adults: $20pp pre-purchased or $25pp on the day
- Senior citizens: Half price General Admission rates apply at the gate on the day
- Under 15s: Free
Premium General admission tickets are available to purchase
- Tables of 10 only $500 and can be pre-purchased (includes course admission)
- Tickets can be purchased on the day after purchasing a General Admission ticket at the gate for $25pp (subject to availability)
More racing info
Need some tips?
CEO Paul Wilcox rates:
Race 6 - 3.35pm - Group 1 $200,000 Sistema Stakes - Sword of State (#2) - Bet: Win
Race 7 - 4.10pm - Group 1 $200,000 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes - Melody Belle (#6) - Bet: Win
Race 9 - 5.25pm - $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup® - Robusto (#9) - Bet: Win
Sponsorship Manager Bill Heap rates:
Race 2 - 1.15pm - Ellerslie Jewellers & Engravers 2100 - Zola Express (#8) - Bet: Win
Race 4 - 2.25pm - FastTrack Insurance 1400 - Ripped (#9) - Bet: Win
Race 5 - 3.00pm - White Cliffs Timber 1200 - Lelawala (#5) - Bet: Win