THE Wangaratta Turf Club wants as many members of the community to enjoy their Christmas Race Day on Monday.

In what shapes as the perfect start to the festive season, the club will stage an eight-race card (four maidens, three benchmark 58s, one benchmark 64) for their final meeting of 2024.

Along with free entry, the club will be selling $6 schooners and wine, as well as $10 Aperol Spritz’s in a bonus to what will already be a perfect 26 degree afternoon.

Wangaratta Turf Club president Neil Membrey said the perfect weather forecast made it an ideal event to celebrate the festive season.

“Hopefully everyone’s finished up work and can get to the course on a beautiful 26 degree day,” Membrey said.

“We would love to bring the community together for a great day of socialising to kick off the festive season."

The race day has attracted over 500 nominations meaning there will be a potential one or two extra races added to the card.

“We’ve had over 500 nominations which could mean there may be up to 10 races to enjoy,” Membrey said.

“We’ve got a Vobis maiden in there too which means there will be extra prizemoney on offer for horses in that race too.

“It’ll be a great day on the track too.”

Membrey said the track is in ripping order.

“The track has been excellent all year thanks to Greg Brown and his track team,” he said.

“They’ve presented one of Victoria’s premier and fair racing tracks all year which is a credit to them.”