Big crowd to enjoy Ellerslie Races

Boxing Day races at Ellerslie have become a city tradition. Photo / Natalie Slade

A near-record crowd is likely to get fine, settled weather at the 155th Boxing Day Races.

The New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival at Ellerslie racecourse gets under way today, with an expected 25,000 people flocking to the racing calendar's most popular event.

Metservice expects a repeat of Christmas Day, with blue skies in the morning, temperatures reaching about 22C, and a 20 per cent chance of a shower in the afternoon.

Those racegoers with elaborately decorated fascinators for the Fashions in the Field will only have a light easterly breeze to worry about.