The talk of the racing world is this Saturday’s The Everest (1200m) in Sydney, and for a Kiwi racing fan there is no better way to build up to the A$20 million showpiece than Group One racing action right here at Ellerslie.

Hawke’s Bay was out of action this spring, so Ellerslie took on the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Te Rapa staged the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m), won by Quintessa and Waitak respectively. They will compete for top honours in the $550,000 Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), where they will have to contend with course specialist El Vencedor, who was simply unstoppable at the venue last summer.

Highly-rated gallopers Legarto and Ladies Man are right in the mix, while Hi Yo Sass Bomb enters the fray after blowing away her female counterparts in the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago.

While the Livamol headlines the card, the meeting carries its original title of the Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes Day, with the Group Two fillies race an equally mouthwatering contest heading towards the Guineas races in New Zealand Cup Week.

The two it girls of the three-year-old ranks, Tajana and Lollapalooza, could do battle once again after a narrow margin separated the pair in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) last start.

The remainder of the card consists of lucrative $65,000 and $55,000 benchmark races, with $30,000 maidens often producing strong form races heading into the late spring and early summer.

Race One is set to jump at 12:15pm, with the venue open all the way up to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at 5:30pm and The Everest at 6pm, which will be shown live on the big screen in the TAB Winning Post. The latter has an abundance of Kiwi interest, with Cambridge Stud’s mare Joliestar taking on Kiwi-breds Jimmysstar, War Machine, and of course, the Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising.

Ellerslie welcomes racing fans of all ages to Soliloquy Stakes Day, with free family fun on the Newmarket Lawn including mini golf, a bouncy castle and swingball games.

 

Racegoers will have the opportunity to get up-close with our equine athletes, with a view of the tie-up stalls open to the public through the white-pebbled accessways.

General Admission is Free for all ages, while you can elevate your raceday experience with casual, unreserved indoor seating and a great view of the track in the Ascot Stand ($30pp). The ever-popular Silks Lounge offers uninterrupted views of the track, right from your table, with a $99 package including your own flat-screen TV for close-up race coverage (per table), a buffet lunch and dessert, cash bar and betting facilities. Tickets can be purchased here.

If you’re looking for to tailor your own raceday experience, book a private room or space through Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, perfect for a large group or business.

 

Ellerslie’s range of facilities, hospitality packages and food and beverage options means there is truly something for everyone.

A spectacular afternoon of trans-Tasman racing not to be missed, head down to Ellerslie, this Saturday, 18th of October to be a part of it.

 

What: Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes Day

When: Saturday 18 October, gates open 11:00am

Where: Ellerslie Racecourse, 100 Ascot Ave, Greenlane

Find out more: ellerslie.co.nz/soliloquy-stakes-day