Group racing and exquisite fashion to headline Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Day
After a fantastic day of top-flight racing, entertainment and fashion in the opening day of the New Zealand Cup Meeting, racegoers will return to Riccarton Park on Wednesday for the iconic Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Day.
Last Saturday’s spectators were treated to a beautiful, sun-baked Christchurch afternoon, and the action on-course was equally red-hot with superstar three-year-old Crocetti living up to expectations when claiming the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld NZ 51st 2000 Guineas (1600m).
The Grand Tour made a stunning debut for the season in the South headlined by a classic Sir Dave Dobbyn after-the-last performance. The team will be back with quality entertainment and bar facilities on Wednesday, including The Grand Tour Bar located ideally for racing enthusiasts and punters next to the Parade Ring.
Highlighting the Thoroughbred action will be the 19th running of the Gr.3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m), where powerhouse Matamata stable Te Akau will be aiming for their first stakes victory of Cup Week with It’s Business Time, who currently sits a short-priced favourite ahead of Lisa Latta’s Diss Is Dramatic. The classy North Island mares face a competitive 17-horse line-up including last year’s victor and subsequent Group One winner He’s A Doozy, with Riverton’s Kelvin Tyler leading the Southern charge with Lightning Jack.
An impressive group of mares will contest the other feature event on the card, with the Gr.3 Windsor Park Canterbury Breeder’s Stakes (1400m). Lance Robinson is vying for another home track stakes victory with Live Drama, the local Riccarton Park trainer also lining up Avaquinella and Adannaya in the 16-horse field. Snapping at the seven-year-old’s heels will be defending champion Belclare, and in-form North Canterbury mare Watch Out.
Riccarton Park will celebrate the best of spring fashion over the remaining two days with The Ned’s Fashion in the Field, taking the spotlight first on Wednesday. Competitors will compete for Best Dressed Woman, Best Dressed Man, Millinery, Finishing Touches and Eye On The Crowd, all sponsored by generous supporters of Canterbury Jockey Club. The Fashion In The Field will be located on the iconic Tea House Fashion Lawn, accessible with a General Admission ticket.
The newly-installed Promenade Villas proved a perfect viewing point for spectators last Saturday, and individual Promenade tickets are still available for the middle-day meeting. The in-demand Hospitality Suites have sold out, however, General Admission ($20) and Member’s ($55) tickets remain on sale alongside access to the popular Grand National Lawn Car Park ($150).
For more information and ticket access, click here.
The first race is scheduled to jump at 12:30pm.
What: Coupland’s Bakeries Mile Day
Where: Riccarton Park Racecourse, 165 Racecourse Road, Sockburn, Christchurch
When: Wednesday, 15 November
