That’s the hot tip according to the man who has served the drinks on the Southern Highlands’ biggest race day for the past 15 Cup meetings.

Moss Vale Hotel licensee Tom Porter said the forecasted warm weather would likely see a downturn in alcoholic drink sales as people kept themselves hydrated with water and soft drinks.

“When it’s cold people drink red wine, when it’s hot it’s white wine,” Porter said, while sorting out the cases of drinks at the track yesterday.

“Looking at the forecast, it’ll be white wine, champagne and water.”

Behind him were dozens of workers preparing for race day. Marquees were being fitted out with floors, tables and chairs, the PA system erected, while groundsman Bill Dodwell and the course staff were running around making sure the track was up to scratch.

While Bong Bong has a legendary history of alcohol consumption, Porter said times had changed and it was now more of a family occasion.

Despite the change, Porter has overseen the delivery of a few truckloads of drinks to the track in a fortnight-long process of making sure no one goes thirsty.

He has about 25 staff to stock the two bars’ fridges this morning and “a couple of thousand” bags of ice will help chill the drinks before the gates open mid-morning.

The first of six races starts at 1.40pm, while the last is set to start at 4.45pm.

The feature race, the Bong Bong Cup, has eight runners with horses coming from Warwick Farm, Canberra, Gosford and Moruya among other places.

Local trainers Graeme Spackman, Shane Evans and Rick Worthington are expected to be well backed, as locals jump aboard the Highlands’ hopes.