Santa will be on track for the occasion, delighting racegoers when he arrives in style via horse and carriage on Flemington’s famous Front Lawn at 12:00pm.
The Elms will be the perfect playground for children and families, with an abundance of Christmas themed activities on offer including an ice-skating rink, festive games and the chance for a meet and greet with Santa.
VRC Members and their guests will be treated to a Christmas extravaganza in The Club Stand which will feature a Christmas themed menu in The Members Dining Room and Christmas carollers roaming throughout the stand.
The festivities will continue after the last race on The Roof Garden, which will feature live entertainment from Mike Snell and the Candy Canes performing some of the most iconic Christmas songs. Guests can also enjoy complimentary Christmas canapes.
The popular Mates Rates will return to the Front Lawn with tables available to be reserved for up to six people. Christmas Picnic Tables for six people will also line the Front Lawn and be filled with Christmas themed goodies including bon bons, mince pies, Santa hats and more. $5 fries and pies will also be on offer in Saintly Place, which will feature pub-style games and all the racing and sport on the big screens.
The Racing
The race program will feature important lead-up races to New Year’s Day Race Day, which takes place at Flemington on Sunday 1 January.
A host of speedy sprinters will compete up the Flemington straight in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m), headlined by last year’s third place getter and million-dollar earner, Halvorsen. Previous winners of the sprinting feature include Group 1-winning gelding The Quarterback.
A full field has assembled in The Penfolds Handicap (1400m), a race that is the prime lead-in to the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1400m) on New Year’s Day Race Day.
The Listed JRA Trophy (2600m) returns to Flemington to round out the 2022 racing year with horses on a path to the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) also on New Year’s Day Race Day. Persan tops the weights at 60kg for Lexus Melbourne Cup winning trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, previous winners of the rotational race include Melbourne Cup winner Almandin.
VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said VRC Christmas Race Day will be a fantastic conclusion to racing at Flemington in 2022.
“Christmas is a time of celebration and what better place to kick off the festivities than Flemington. Racegoers can enjoy a range of Christmas themed activities such as ice-skating in The Elms, a meet and greet with Santa or a festive picnic on the Front Lawn,” Mr Rosich said.“It’s been a fantastic year of racing at Headquarters and we look forward to celebrating the last race day of 2022 with all our valued VRC members and guests.”
The Community
The VRC will be providing opportunities for racegoers to UnBox Joy for kids in need this Christmas via the Variety Christmas Appeal. Variety is aiming to provide toys to over 4,500 kids who would otherwise miss out, and the VRC is calling for all racegoers to contribute via the QR link which will be prominently displayed across the course.
The Legends
Racegoers will have the opportunity to meet Living Legends Beauty Generation and the appropriately named Santa Ana Lane as they parade around the Mounting Yard after races 2 and 4.
The details
A digital race book will be available via Inside Run with gates open at 11:35am and the first race at 12:35pm.
Racegoers can purchase tickets at Ticketmaster with prices starting at just $20 per person. Children under 12 and accompanied by an adult are admitted free to Flemington all year round.
