The best tips for the Christmas - New Year period

As many look forward to enjoying their Christmas break, harness racing is gearing up for one of its busiest times - there will be nine meetings between Boxing Day and January 6, including Alexandra Park's premier Auckland Cup meeting on New Year's Eve.

Westport on Boxing Day is a tried and true favourite, highlighted by the Frank Dooley Memorial Westport Cup (3.10pm) with its second day on December 28. Between the two meetings are 12 races on the all weather track at Gore including the Jaccka Lodge Gore Trotting Cup and the Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Pacing Cup.

Motukarara on December 29 is always a crowd pleaser and then there's Reefton on December 30 before Auckland's big New Year's Eve featuring the $250,000 Auckland Cup, the $100,000 National Trot and two $35,000 Northern Metro Finals.

Into the New Year Omakau's popular annual meeting kicks off the Central Otago circuit on January 2 followed by Roxburgh (January 4) and Cromwell (January 6).

To help navigate what is a hectic time we have asked some trainers for their holiday selections.

To see the selections click here