Ladies First wins 2018 Auckland Cup Group 1 NZ$500,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 3200m.

By the narrowest of margins, Ladies First prevailed in a threeway go, dropping her head right on the line to take out win nine (third stakes) from just 16 starts.

She was midfield, three and four wide from the start as well as down the home straight with a circuit to run, with rider Johnathan Parkes pushing forward rounding into the back straight to reach fourth, now just one off the fence.

Finally, she found the rail at the 1000m but Parkes eased her away again at the 600m to range up three wide turning in. With a dour staying effort she kept on relentlessly but seemed as if she would never reach the front only to put her head down right at the post, winning in a head bobbing thriller.

Honest Five To Midnight was handy enough at the 800m, ran up to be even closer turning in and four wide went after the leaders. He too kept on very gamely and looked to have the upper hand but raised his head at the line and lost by a nose.

Wildflower lay second down the back and around the bend, took over turning in and never gave in to the post for a close and game third a short neck away from Alinko Prince who saved ground along the fence turning in and ran on well to nab fourth.