It will be a busy time for the harness racing code over the upcoming holiday period.

The Wairio Trotting Club meeting at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on Saturday 19 December leads off with a day that will feature the Otautau Four Square Supermarket Wairio Trotting Cup over 2400m.

There will be a visit from Santa and a lolly scramble, $2 mini jeep rides and sack races and other activities for the kids.

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Punters can go in the draw to win rides on the EH Ball ITM mobile barrier throughout the day and there will be a Show n Shine with several cars on display.

The first race is timed to start at 12 noon. Admission is free and there will be two Kidz Kartz races on the programme.

The racing continues after Christmas, with two harness meetings.

The Gore Harness Racing Club will be racing on the grass from 2pm on Sunday 27 December with free kid’s entertainment and Punt For Gold which gives the opportunity to win two watches.

A Punters Club operates and Dene Allen entertains and admission is free.

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That meeting is followed by an opportunity to relax and enjoy the last day of 2020 with a picnic at the races at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting at Central Southland Raceway in Winton on New Year’s Eve.

Again, admission is free and the first race is at 1pm.   

The focus then moves to Central Otago with meetings at Omakau (2 January), Roxburgh (4 January) and Cromwell (6 January).

The Central Otago circuit is well known for great racing, entertainment, Fashion In The Field plus plenty of free children’s entertainment and activities.

The action returns to Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Wednesday 13 January with the Northern Southland Trotting Club where two flights to Stewart Island courtesy of Stewart Island Flights will be won.

More midweek racing follows a week later at Central Southland Raceway in Winton.

The month ends with Cup Day in Invercargill on Saturday 30 January – always a day of quality racing and entertainment.