BAIRNSDALE and Moe racing clubs will host Melbourne Cup day meetings and both are shaping up as massive crowd days.
The Bairnsdale program is traditionally its biggest day of the season and while it will be just the second year Moe has hosted a meeting on this date, the recent transfer of its cup meeting has many locals thirsty for their racing fix.
The fact Moe has had a large number of its corporate bookings from its cup day transferred top this Tuesday, ensures a large attendance.
Each of the two clubs will have big screens to view all the horse racing action and fashion from Flemington and live entertainment on course.
There will be also be fashions on the field competitions at both venues and if Traralgon on Saturday was any indication, these will be keenly-contested.
Both meetings are non-TAB, but for those who will be on course, let's try and find a winner.
In the first at Bairnsdale Teen Spirit and Testa Alice should fight out the finish, Mayneda Strategy the best bet of the day in race two and Champagne Annie in the third.
Back on a good track Our Henry from Zaccheus in the fourth, Come On Bill and First Man in the fifth and in the final event Mousal will be very hard to beat.
Moe's is a high weight meeting and Royal Society has a big drop in class and should win the first. Rusky Ago Go in the second from Millesime and in the third Allapattah and Attrition.
Race four looks very weak - perhaps Gold Ripa with an eye on the first starters; Lago Buoy and Awaroa in the fifth and in the last try Luxuriate from Zephyr Speed.
Should be two great day's full of excitement, festivities and fun and the local races is the next best place to be to experience the spring racing atmosphere if you can't be at Flemington.