Bumper crowd, hot race action and fascinating fashions

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

Eighty-five thousand glasses of bubbly and 150,000 beers will be quaffed in the next week as punters head to Ellerslie for the races.

Ellerslie Racecourse is preparing for the largest Boxing Day crowd in 155 years of racing - close to 25,000 are expected to attend.

Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver said: "We started racing here on January 17, 1857. So for 155 years Aucklanders have been coming to the races, it's ingrained in the tradition of the city. And this year it looks like it'll be bigger than ever."

The high turnout has prompted the racecourse to stock copious amounts of wine and food for the three events.

Chefs have ordered 1850kg of ham and pork, 1000kg of Angus beef and 900kg of prawns to feed the crowds, and several truckloads of bubbly.

They begin preparing the meals at around midnight on Christmas Day.

The Boxing Day races also provide the racing community with its biggest fashion event of the year.

Many contestants slave over sewing machines for months to prepare their outfit for the Fashions in the Field, though last year's winner wore a secondhand 1960s dress.

"When we started this event 40 years ago, there was one place in town that sold fascinators," said Mr Weaver. "Now every shop in Newmarket is showing the resurgence in race-wear."

The glamour racehorse on Boxing Day is Burgundy, which was bought for $1.3 million three years ago. The stallion will race in the Great Northern Guineas at 4pm.

Mr Weaver also suggested punters keep their eye on Veyron, racing in the main event, the Zabeel Classic.

"He is an Ellerslie specialist. He has seven of his last nine starts at Ellerslie. Veyron is a real hero here, and hasn't been beaten for a very long time."

The races also influence the bloodstock business, in particular the Karaka sales next month.

"If the son or daughter of one of your brood mares performs here, then of course Karaka is just around the corner with people looking for their progeny."

New Zealand Herald Christmas Carnival, Ellerslie Racecourse

* Boxing Day

Raceday timings
* Ticket booth opens 9am
* Infield gates open 9am
* All other racecourse gates open 10am
* Viva Fashions in the Field registration open from 10am - midday
* Hospitality options open at 11.30am
* First race (of 10) at 1pm
* Last race will run at 7pm
* Feature race (Zabeel Classic) at 6.15pm

Beach, Beats & BBQs
An artificial beach has been set up in the infield with a live music stage (headlined by The Babysitter's Circus), free children's entertainment, a beach cricket tournament, and food stalls.

Punters can bring their own barbecue.

Viva Fashions in the Field
More than 130 entries are expected for the most highly prized fashion event on the racing calendar.

Supreme Award winner announced at 4.15pm

The 5 different categories are:

* Under 25 years
* Ladies' Racewear
* Ascot Lady (45+ years)
* Mens' Racewear
* Millinery

Supreme Award prizepack
* Nissan Qashqai ST for 6 months
* $5000 vacation package at Mollies boutique hotel
* $2000 of bespoke millinery designed by Natalie Chan
* 50-inch plasma TV
* $3000 of jewellery and a makeover

NZ Herald photo studio
Open from midday - 3pm

* December 28

A more low-key raceday with free general admission

* New Year's Day

The biggest day in New Zealand's racing calendar, with seven feature races and plenty of glamour horses.

* Gates open 11am
* Hospitality options open 11.30am
* First race at 1pm, last race 7pm