Race in for a break

SANDOWN Racecourse is the place for the family to enjoy a day at the races and take a break from the excesses of the Christmas and New Year period.
This Saturday, avoid the shopping centres and head to the meeting at Sandown’s Lakeside track.
This will also be a special day for the young or young at heart, with an appearance by Santa Claus, and children can also enjoy a jumping castle.
The Christmas period is a busy one for the Melbourne Racing Club with additional meetings on Boxing Day and the 1 January 1 New Year’s Day meeting, both at Caulfield. The latter has been transferred from Flemington as that track is undergoing a major refurbishment.
Boxing Day is one of the major events of the summer period and features the running of the $100,500 Listed Christmas Stakes (1200 metres). This event always attracts a strong field of sprinters and this year will be no exception.
The Melbourne Racing Club returns to Sandown on Saturday, 6 January for a meeting on the Hillside track.
Course admission this Saturday and on 6 January 6 is $8 for adults, $5 concession and children under 18 accompanied by an adult are admitted free.
There will also be a jumping castle and face painting at the 6 January meeting.