terms of excitement and entertainment value for money, with a full slate of races, highlighted by the annual stakes races (11.30 a.m. start).

The latter involves two, three and four-year-old ponies competing in separate categories with a total of $4,000 on offer -- the largest ever for local racing.

"We've got the most ponies that we've ever had since starting up in '89,'' said press officer Annie Sousa. "There are 24 races and then you have the annual stakes event.

"The idea of the stakes races is to encourage locals to breed their own ponies or buy younger ones to race.'' Claude Boyles and his Bermuda-bred entry, Dark 'N Stormy, are set to line up alongside Flame On, Abbe and High Time Lindy in the two-year-old category.

This would seem to be a toss-up as all the aforementioned appear fairly even in terms of speed and it may boil down to who draws the favoured rail position.

The tight track at Vesey Street does not present itself for much in term of passing, so if one gets to the front it can be of great advantage.

Diamond Way and Abbe Dabbe Doo highlight things for three-year-olds, but the greatest contest might well be in the older category -- four-year-olds -- that has Charles Whited guiding the speedy Eddie The Great and joint track record-holder Shamrock Tuxedo topping the bill.

Such is the importance associated with the Boxing Day event that Tuxedo's driver, Eddie Roque, is believed to be taking time from a family Christmas vacation in Canada to fly home specially to compete.

"It's traditionally a big race day, going all the way back to the days at Shelly Bay when they had both harness and flat racing,'' added Sousa. "In 1979 on Boxing Day at PHC there were about 4,000 people, this time we're hoping for about a thousand or so.'' Added attractions to be performed during the intermission are barrel racing, hitching-up races and baton relays.

A host of dignitaries are also expected to view the proceedings and an admission of $5 will be charged at the gate, although children under 12 enter free.