Main event for senior riders at the Tom Flood Sports Centre in Barnard Street was the Red Fox Party and Bake Boss Wheelrace (1600m).

Red Fox Party is run by Sharon Pontelandolfo a long-time judge for Bendigo's racing and wife of club president, Garry.

From marks of 230 and 220 metres, Alaya and Iesha teamed well to hold off the chasing pack led by Alessia McCaig (140), Zaren Fong-Sutton (170), Ned Pollard (30) and Sam Murphy (170m).

Heat winners were Ned Pollard (30m) and Robert Gartside (200m).

Racing for seniors began with the DCK Real Estate-sponsored Crystal Classic women's wheelrace.

Just weeks away from moving across to Adelaide to begin a Podium Potential Academy scholarship, Alessia McCaig raced from scratch in Thursday's 1000m wheelrace.

In a race tagged "ride of the night" the multiple national track champion at junior level passed every opponent to claim an emphatic victory ahead of Leshae Maddern (90m), Hope Harnetty (145m) and Anna Cronin (135m).

Selected in AusCycling's track sprint developing squad, Ned Pollard took out the A-grade 12-lap scratch race and 15-lap motorpace.

Thursday's racing was an ideal tune-up for the three-day Christmas carnivals.

First leg in the series is on Tuesday at Castlemaine.

Action at the Smartline-sponsored carnival at Castlemaine's velodrome begins with juniors at 10am, and the open races and under-17 madison from 3.30pm.

Highs of the Castlemaine meet include the under-17 men's and women's Madison State Championships, under-19 elite Keirin events and wheelraces.

Racing then moves to Bendigo on Wednesday at the Tom Flood Sports Centre.

Juniors race from 2pm and the senior program begins at 5pm.

Feature event at Bendigo is the Lindsay Harrington Memorial Wheelrace (2000m).

Also chosen in the Potential Potential Academy, Bendigo star Pat Eddy won the 2020 final from Bendigo clubmate Sam Buckell.

Both raced from the 90m mark.

A big program at Bendigo includes the Victorian under-17 scratch race championship, the Godfrey Family Omnium, 10-Mile Motor Pace, and men's keirin.

Last year's women's 1600m wheelrace was won by Alessia McCaig.

Finale to the Christmas carnivals is on Thursday at Shepparton's velodrome.

Racing for juniors starts at 11am.

First of the senior events is at 6pm at the Packham Street track.

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