Red-and-black theme for thousands of punters set to flock to this year’s Boxing Day Races in Albany

Another huge crowd is expected to flock trackside for one of Albany’s biggest marquee days on the social calendar — the Boxing Day Races.

A popular event among locals and those holidaying in the city over Christmas, the Boxing Day Races annually attracts thousands to Percy Spencer Racecourse on December 26.

This year will be no different with the Albany Racing Club predicting thousands will pour through the gates on Tuesday.

The Wellington and Reeves Boxing Day Races will have a special red-and-black theme this year — the colours of the club’s major sponsor.

Along with the action on the track, there will be plenty of festivities off it with bars, food vans and local band Pinstripe playing at the end of the day.

Free buses will take punters from the Albany CBD at regular timeslots beforehand and then return those after the event.

ARC general manager Mark Bayliss said the event was the club’s biggest social event of the year and hoped those attending came dressed in the red-and-black theme.

Racegoers are expected to encounter warm conditions, with a forecast temperature of 24C for the big day.

Gates open at noon with racing expected to kick off at about 1.53pm.

Pinstripe will fire up late in the afternoon with hundreds staying back to party on in recent years.

The buses will leave the Albany Visitor Centre at noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm and 2pm and return at intervals of 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available online or at the gate, with adults $25 and concessions $20.