Racing: Lean Christmas for Brown

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown won't be tucking into a big Christmas lunch this year but he could get a belated present if Monaco Consul wins the Group One Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie.

Brown will keep his race fitness up to the mark with rides in six of the seven races at Canterbury today.

He will spend Christmas morning with his young family then fly to New Zealand on Friday afternoon to partner the Victoria Derby winner in the weight-for-age feature at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

"The whole family are coming for Christmas but I won't be having too much to eat because I've got to ride (Monaco Consul) at 52 kilos," Brown said.

"It will be a light lunch for me but I'll get to see the kids open their toys which will be great."