Racing: Dream results boost Auckland Cup Week

Jimmy Choux (outer) will miss the Avondale Guineas in his preparation for the Telecom Derby on March 5. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland racing bosses are expecting a rush on Auckland Cup Week bookings after a week of dream results.

Cup week starts three weeks after this Friday and is now shaping as the biggest week in the history of Auckland racing.

And just about everything that could go right has for Ellerslie and Alexandra Park as they count down to the March 4 launch date.

Right down to the horses playing their part.

Two huge Saturdays of racing at Te Rapa have seen Jimmy Choux promote himself as the readymade poster boy for the Telecom Derby on March 5, while the key stayers being aimed for the Auckland Cup on March 9 all did the right thing in the International under weight-for-age conditions last Saturday.

The Auckland Trotting Club enjoyed a double boost with returning pacing hero Auckland Reactor winning at Ashburton on Saturday and extraordinarily strong nominations for the Auckland Trotting Cup and Woodlands Derby.

They increased further yesterday when Victoria Derby favourite Royal Verdict became a late entry for the Woodlands Derby.

That suggests one of the most glamorous 24 hours of racing in New Zealand history to kick Cup week off.

Alexandra Park on March 4 will host the Northern Oaks clash between Carabella and Bettor Cover Lover and Auckland Reactor versus Monkey King, Washakie, Themightyquinn, Pembrook Benny, Stunin Cullen and possibly De Lovely in the New Zealand Herald Free-For-All.

There will also be two Woodlands Derby heats, with as many as four Australians competing and the very real chance champion trotter Sundon's Gift will contest the main trot.

Just 13 hours later, Derby Day at Ellerslie will kick off, with Jimmy Choux looking to extend one of the great 3-year-old classic seasons in New Zealand history in front of the biggest crowd of the season.

All of which has both clubs expecting a late run on tickets, particularly for the best seats in the house.

"Booking have been steady but so many people leave Auckland for a decent part of January and are only getting back into the swing of the year now," said Ellerslie boss Chris Weaver.

"Bookings also took time to build up for the Christmas meeting then all of a sudden everybody wants them, and everybody wants the best tables.

"So we know we are going to get very busy, very quickly so I think it would be wise for people to book sooner, rather than later.

"We have another twilight meeting on Wednesday [tomorrow] and the weather has been awesome, so I think people are starting to get right into racing mode again and realise we are in for a pretty amazing Cup week."

Alexandra Park bosses have also been playing the waiting game as corporate Auckland awakes from its summer slumber.

"The last two years we have filled Top of the Park and the Tasman Room in the last week," said ATC chief executive Graeme Running. "We still have tables left for them now but the phones started ringing this morning, especially after Auckland Reactor won.

"I think people are starting to realise we are on the verge of a pretty special Cup week so will realise some people face being disappointed."

Meanwhile, champion driver Tony Herlihy sits on 2999 wins in New Zealand and could reach the 3000 milestone at Alexandra Park this Friday.