The annual Wanganui Jockey Club's Christmas at the Races meeting this week is an end-of-year party planner's dream.
The race meeting, that includes the Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup, is one of 50 Christmas At the Races theme days designated by New Zealand Racing nationwide with this year's Wanganui party planned for Saturday, November 29.
Club operations manager Bret Field said the day promises to be better than ever with plenty of entertainment and action planned for all ages. The raceday will not only include great racing featuring the Wanganui Cup as a tribute race to long time sponsor Ada Parnwell, but will also have a designated family area complete with bouncy castles and obstacle course, Seaside Pony rides, pedal trikes from Whanganui Top 10 Holiday Park, the Cool Az Icecream truck, and also performances from Star Dance Academy.
Then there's the annual Repco Mascot race starting at 12.50pm after race two with a line-up of infamous characters taking their places in the starting gates and ready to run for glory.
Barrie the Butcher from the Wanganui Rugby Union is determined that this is his year to take out the coveted mascot mantle, and looks to take out all competitors over 150m. He will have stern competition from the club's The Horse and White Lightning, Horizon's Ginger Ninja and Woody Weed, and the Chronicle's own Print Run Chronics. The Dark Horse in the race may be the Beer Barron with expectations also high for Craig from Mediaworks with the radio station having produced two previous winners.