1. Ellerslie Races
The obvious place to soak up the atmosphere of Australia's biggest horse race in Auckland is Ellerslie. The race course will have two big screens on Sofitel Luxury Hotels Melbourne Cup Day to ensure everyone can watch the live simulcast coverage of the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Ellerslie CEO Cameron George will be on course to welcome VIPs though racegoers with General Admission tickets will have access to the Newmarket Room and the Newmarket Lawn. We reckon the best spot to watch the running of the race "that stops two nations" is on the Newmarket Lawn, right up the front along the fence line to the track for uninterrupted views of the big screen.
2. Ecoya Melbourne Cup Lunch
An "Invitation-only" lunch at Parnell's 46 & York will be packed full of A-listers. Their second annual Ecoya Melbourne Cup day will be held in conjunction with New Zealand Bloodstock. Guests include Bachelorette Chrystal Chenery, shoe queen Kathryn Wilson and husband Liam Taylor, Bachelor Art Green and girlfriend Matilda Rice, ONE News reporter Matt McLean, restaurateur Mimi Gilmour, fashion stylist Clifton Piper and fashion designer Steve Dunstan. They'll be able to test their luck on the horse racing from 2pm.