New Zealand Cup Week is fast-approaching and many of the country’s brightest talents are on their way to Riccarton Park, with three massive days of feature racing, entertainment, spring fashion, and more, kicking off this Saturday, November 9.

The opening day of Cup Week is headlined by the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), a race steeped in rich history with recent victors including Turn Me Loose, Jimmy Choux, Katie Lee and Sacred Falls.

In this year’s edition, Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m) winner Savaglee leads the early market, with filly Love Poem and Central Districts raider He’s Lucid among the dangers.

A key insight into next Saturday’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) will be revealed in the Listed Nautical Insurance Metropolitan Trophy (2600m), while the sprinters will be on show early in the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m).

An iconic feature of The Grand Tour Racing Festival, the three racedays will see music, style and entertainment return to Riccarton Park, with Hot Dub Time Machine and BAVHU bringing the beats to 2000 Guineas Day. The popular Grand Tour Bar is back, bigger and better than ever, and new for season three are The Grand Tour Stables, a unique space for racegoers to discover the unexpected, including a secret rave room, a disco bronco, a wagering clairvoyant and much more!

Heading to the middle day, Wednesday, 13^th of November, the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) will take centre stage. Ahead of final fields, a highly-competitive spread of nominations have assembled for the mile, including in-form gallopers Perfect Scenario, Diss Is Dramatic and local talent Matscot.

It will be a Group Three double-header with the Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) also featuring on the day for the fillies and mares.

The final Saturday, New Zealand Cup Day, always proves to be a phenomenal way to send off the week, with the ultimate staying test taking place in the Cup. Aljay, the winner in 2022, may return for another shot at the title, while last year’s runner-up Nest Egg is back for redemption, narrowly leading the market over the former at $5.

Also on the card, the three-year-old fillies will get their shot at a Group One crown in the Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), with star northerners Alabama Lass and Captured By Love set to match-up for the third time. Raziah, a Cambridge filly that has been based in the South Island through her campaign, has been in firing form and handles any conditions that may come her way.

The Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) wraps up the stakes racing action, another powerful sprinting contest down Riccarton’s chute track.

Away from the thoroughbred action, The Ned Fashion In The Field is an integral part of Cup Week, with fashion enthusiasts from all around the country assembling at Riccarton Park (13th & 16th November) with spring fashion to the forefront.

Hosted on the Tea House Lawn, registrations will open from 11am, with the first participant on the runway at 12.30pm. The Ned, alongside many generous sponsors, have provided an incredible array of prizes, with the Supreme Winner awarded a two-night Marlborough Winery Trip for four people among their prize-pack. More information can be found here.

Hospitality and tickets for Cup Week are highly sought after and this year has been no exception, with General Admission ($25.50pp) and Members Area ($50) tickets the last available for 2000 Guineas Day.

Alongside these options, there are still tickets available for the Promenade Hospitality ($290pp) and Promenade Villas (50pax), each providing a fantastic viewing point of the Riccarton course with lunch and beverage packages included for the TAB Mile and Cup Day. 

Also on Cup Day, tickets are selling fast for each area, but General Admission (with The Grand Tour) is on final release ($40pp), and the same applies for remaining Members Area allocation ($120pp). A Fashion In The Field ($165) ticket will grant access to the Tea House fashion precinct, with a reserved seat, a complimentary drink and platter food included.

Be a part of Canterbury’s finest racing carnival and enjoy the fantastic southern hospitality from this Saturday at New Zealand Cup Week!

Don't miss out on this unforgettable week, tickets are available here.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ 2000 Guineas
When: Saturday, 9 November
Gates Open: 10.00am
DJs: BAVHU from 2.00pm, Hot Dub Time Machine after the last at 5.30pm 
Meeting information

The TAB Mile Raceday
When: Wednesday, 13 November
Gates Open: 12.00pm
DJs: Jousey and Sam Jones
Meeting information

Martin Collins NZ Cup & Barneswood Farm NZ 1000 Guineas
When: Saturday, 16 November
Gates Open: 10.00am
DJs: Zesty Boi and Jezza
Meeting information