The Australian Turf Club’s summer racing goes back to back at Royal Randwick on Friday and Rosehill Gardens on Saturday as Sydney enters the traditional Christmas season celebrations.
Entry is free to Friday’s Royal Randwick Christmas Festival twilight meeting with a host of family entertainment and a concert starring popular performer Samantha Jade in the Theatre Of The Horse after the last race.
Legendary Royal Randwick trainer Gai Waterhouse will formally light a giant Christmas tree during the concert and after the arrival of Santa and his helpers on a horse-drawn carriage.
The day also aims to raise $20,000 through the ATC Foundation to allow 20 children with disabilities to attend the Sony Foundation’s Holiday Camp, which provides respite for the youngsters and their families.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse (Pic: Bradley Photos)
The seven-race meeting starts from 3.10pm (gates opening at 2.10pm) with all customers asked to pre-book their free tickets here.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said the Club was hoping to make the twilight meeting an annual Christmas event.
“We are looking forward to introducing these twilight meetings at this time of year when families, friends and colleagues can begin to celebrate Christmas with an afternoon at the track,” Mr Ross said.
The twilight meeting will be held on the Kensington Track which was rated a Soft 5 on Thursday morning.
Saturday’s Christmas at Rosehill Gardens meeting features nine races and a healthy 123 entries across the program.
The first race is at 1.10pm with gates opening at 12.15pm.
Customers are asked to pre-purchase tickets or hospitality packages here.
The Rosehill Gardens track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning with a track report recorded with Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Manager Shaun Patterson available here.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting