Both venues have planned a host of off-course activities to keep racegoers entertained in between their own races and the Flemington gallops meeting.

This year's Yarra Valley meeting features the introduction of a Family Zone, designed to ensure patrons of a family-friendly environment.

It will also have the usual favourites of jumping castle, face painting, giant slide and merry-go-round.

It is a similar story at Cobram where the jumping castle will be in operation and face painting available.

The title of best-dressed kid in town will also be up for grabs with a Fashions on the Field section for the youngsters to be conducted along with ones for the ladies.

The Cobram meeting will showcase the reconstructed track to its biggest audience.

Just last Monday racing returned to the Cobram circuit, which underwent $500,000 worth of improvements bringing the track up to preferred standard, including increasing the camber of the turns for four percent to 12.5 percent.

Yarra Valley has an early start with the first of eight races to be run at 11.15am, while action at Cobram, where there will also be eight races, commences at 12.15pm.

Entry to Yarra Valley is $25 with children under 17 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information contact Brett Shambrook on 0400 390 040.

Further information on the Cobram meeting - for which entry is $10 for adults, $5 concession with children under 18 admitted free - is available by contacting secretary Alan Dennett on 0407 734 622.

Brad Bishop