The Parkes Harness Racing Club is set to attract a large crowd for its Carnival of Cups meeting on New Year's Eve. The Club will be running the final of the $15,000 Parkes Leagues Club Golden Bar for three year olds with horses qualifying for the event in the heats conducted on December 28.

The final of the Medlyns Castrol Gig will also be run with winning connections taking home a Rio Meteor Gig while the $12,000 Langlands Hanlon Sprint is also set down for decision. The trotters will be catered for with a $10,000 race programmed.

On track the crowd will be entertained by a huge fireworks display after the last race and there are plenty of activities for the children too, including a jumping castle, face painting and temporary tattoos. There will be giveaways throughout the evening and patrons will be able to watch the 9pm Sydney fireworks on a large television.

The Christmas-New Year period is a busy time for the Parkes Club with three race meetings planned. The first will be conducted on December 28 with a number of heats being run for the Carnival of Cups meeting. It is important for trainers to note that a trotting race has been included in the program also.

On January 6 the popular Elvis Festival meeting will be conducted with one lucky patron winning a $5,000 travel voucher just by being on-course when the winner is drawn. The Elvis Festival meeting traditionally attracts a big crowd with thousands of people travelling to Parkes to celebrate the career of Elvis Presley.

Bathurst trainer Steve Turnbull enjoyed success at the Elvis meeting last season with a treble and also won the Golden Bar with talented three year old Mouse In The House.

The Parkes Club is one of several to conduct Carnival of Cups meetings during the Christmas-New Year period.

For a full list of the Carnival of Cups meetings click here

Greg Hayes