ELLERSLIE hosted a trio of Group 1 races on Saturday headlined by the NZ$500,000 Auckland Cup over 3,200 metres. Trainer Allan Sharrock landed the prize with the Dylan Thomas mare Ladies First, an $8,000 yearling purchased from the 2014 NZB National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.

“They all thought she was a wet-tracker, but her last three wins have been on firm tracks,” said Sharrock. “We’ve pulled her out of the Sydney Cup and she’ll go to the paddock and then we’ll be looking at the Livamol Classic and the Melbourne Cup.”