Auckland Cup: Visitor's outfit takes the judges' fancy

The Viva Cup Couture winners Kathy Smith and Chamika Gajanayaka with Janetta Mckay. Photo / Dean Purcell

Kathy Smith was shocked when she was picked from the crowd at Auckland Cup Day by the Cup Couture judges.

The Cambridge woman, who works at BNZ, was even more surprised when she was named winner of the Viva Best Dressed woman, and handed a $5000 prize package.

At Ellerslie yesterday, fluorescent clad fashionistas mingled with keen punters, petite jockeys and towering thoroughbreds for Auckland Cup Day.

The main event was the gruelling 3200m group one Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup, worth $500,000.

Netball player Maria Tutaia (left) judges the Viva Cup Couture prize. Photo / Dean Purcell.

But before the race began at 5.45pm, the winners of the Viva Best Dressed Woman and Stamford Plaza Auckland Best Dressed Man were picked from the crowd.

Wearing a blue and creme floral dress and matching hat by Cambridge racewear designer Ooby Ryn, which caught the eye of judge and Silver Fern Maria Tutaia (who looked striking enough to be a winner herself in a silver dress and matching hat), Ms Smith said "I wasn't expecting that." She and Stamford Plaza Auckland Best Dressed man, Wellingtonian Chamika Gajanayaka, took home $5000 prize packages.

Mr Gajanayaka wore a snappy navy suit by Wellington tailor Earl and English, with brown brogues and a white shirt. His combination was complemented by a vibrant orange bowtie and braces with a white anchor pattern that he borrowed from a friend.

On the track, the opportunity to ride in yesterday's big race for apprentice jockey Brendan Hutton, 21, was something he jumped at without a second thought. The 3200m run, which dates back to 1874, was the biggest race he'd ever competed in.

"When you get a chance to be in a race like that, you've really got to grab it," Hutton said, with his Irish lilt.

The young rider finished 10th in the race, which was won by Rock Diva, ridden by Mark Du Plessis.

Throughout the day, thousands of well-dressed racing fans milled around Ellerslie's stands, marquees and garden areas, including All Blacks Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino, and boxer Joseph Parker. And for punters who were keen on rugby and tired of walking, Auckland Blues players, including Keven Mealamu, were at the wheel of golf carts to transport the stiletto-clad.