Latest fromAuckland Cup

Dancing divas at Auckland Cup carnival
The first time Brazilian dancer Kellen Pinheiro visited New Zealand 11 years ago, she fell in love with the country - and a Kiwi bloke.

Jockeys' colours depend on horses
The blue and white patterned outfit jockey Danielle Johnson wore to race at Ellerslie on Wednesday wasn't just a nice vibrant colours combo.

Odds stacked for trotting breeder
Charles Roberts probably won't feel too bad if his glamour pacing mare Adore Me is beaten in tonight's A$250,000 Auckland Trotting Cup at Alexandra Park.

Pike travels to beat of same drum
When Tony Pike began training, one of his greatest incentives to succeed was memories of his parents, Vicky and Wayne Pike, winning the 1981 Auckland Cup with Drum.

Visitor's outfit takes the judges' fancy
Kathy Smith was shocked when she was picked from the crowd at Auckland Cup Day by the Cup Couture judges.

Racing: Terror To Love could retire early
One of New Zealand pacing's great careers hangs in the balance, with Terror To Love a chance of being retired even before Friday's Auckland Trotting Cup.

Auckland Cup: Trainer says mare will stay
Peter Hollinshead has an outstanding yardstick to gauge Pondarosa Miss' staying ability and he's confident she can star at the ultimate flat distance.

Auckland Cup: Stars given second life
Thanks to people like Gina Schick, visions of former champion horses being trucked off to pet food factories are proving false.

Racing: Christen Me on trial for Auckland
Trainer Cran Dalgety is hoping a trial today can put Christen Me's Auckland Cup campaign back on track after complications robbed him of three race opportunities this weekend.

Racing: Purdon adores Cup fancy
Don't bother trying to tell trainer Mark Purdon that Adore Me is too young to win tomorrow night's Auckland Trotting Cup.

Race day co-ordination key to winning Hawaii trip
Traditional and classy won out over the more flamboyant fashion favoured last year in the Hawaiian Airlines Cup Couture competition at Ellerslie yesterday.

More the merrier for thrill-seekers
There's a touch of Rod Stewart about the blue-suited, spiky-haired Brent Cooper as he skips along the Ellerslie Racecourse grandstand, fist pumping wildly in celebration.

Racing: Cup victory would be grand feat
Mark Oulaghan has trained more Grand National Hurdles and Grand National Steeplechase winners than most can count.

Auckland Cup: Fine balance in a fast sport
In the competitive world of horse racing, one kilogram can make all the difference.

Racing: Adore Me should regain top form
Just a day after a rare defeat, Adore Me's season is looking up again after last night's barrier draw for the Auckland Trotting Cup.

Racing: Celtic Prince to rule in Cup
Sydney-based trainer Bjorn Baker says relative weight is the key to the chances of Celtic Prince in tomorrow's $500,000 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup at Ellerslie.

Racing: Walker at brilliant best in Derby win
Rival jockey Leith Innes said it best immediately after Puccini's jaw-dropping $750,000 TV3 NZ Derby on Saturday.

Racing: Derby co-trainer composed
If you asked the question "exactly how good is Puccini?" the sensible answer would be "I'll tell you tomorrow night".

Racing: Logan seeks notable double
Donna Logan went into last year's NZ Derby with Habibi extremely confident and she was right.

Racing: Knee okay but jockey needs plenty of luck
Matt Cameron's knee might be improving enough to ride Spellbinder in tomorrow's $750,000 TV3 NZ Derby at Ellerslie, but don't be surprised if he tells you he's dizzy.