It is the third year the Cromwell Equestrian Club has held a pre-Christmas race meeting and treasurer Gordon Stewart said interest was increasing each year.
"We could break the galloping turnover for a Sunday in New Zealand for on-course betting, and the Christmas Party theme was always going to be a winner," he said, referring to the idea that businesses could use race day to treat their employees for Christmas.
That idea had been taken on board by many businesses, which were clamouring for the 40 hospitality tents available.
Requests for at least four or five more hospitality tents had had to be turned down.
Punters will be well catered for with up to 30 totes, both fixed and portable, on site.
Work on the 1600m track is carried out all summer: irrigation from the Ripponburn irrigation system starts at the beginning of October and runs constantly until March.
Groundsman Stu Taylor works on the track checking irrigation, filling in holes, and fertilising and aerating the course to keep it in top condition.
Mr Stewart was pleased with the condition of the track and said last week's rain had given it an extra boost.
Jockeys now have 14 new tie-up stalls to use to saddle their mounts, instead of using horse boxes or just tying their horses to the fence.
Mr Stewart said the club had been continually working to upgrade the facility since it was taken over by the Cromwell Equestrian Club in 2000, after the Jockey Club "went bust".
The Cromwell Community Board got behind the decision to keep the course going and supported the club in its bid to raise money through the Central Lakes Trust.
The Central Lakes Equestrian Club's $650,000 amenities building was completed three years ago, and the club has plans for a larger building to be completed for the 150th anniversary of racing in Cromwell in 2012.
The new three-storey building would replace the existing main tote building.
The bottom level would house totes, and services such as a public kitchen, first-aid room and other facilities.
The second floor would be dedicated to members' viewing and the top floor would have corporate boxes.
