Two leading Central Districts trainers have inspected Trentham on Monday and satisfied themselves that the venue is in great condition heading into this weekend’s launch of the NZCIS Wellington Cup Carnival.

Roydon Bergerson and Peter Didham made the trip down from Awapuni to meet with key stakeholders and assess the conditions for themselves. Bergerson declared the track to be “perfect”, while former track manager Didham availed himself of the opportunity to take soil samples of his own, and noted the even moisture content with damp crumbly soil and “nice and healthy” grass cover. Over 80mm of irrigation has been applied in the last week, with more planned for tonight ahead of potential showers on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the rest of the week expected to be dry.

Headlined by the Group 1 J&R Berkett Telegraph over 1200m, this weekend’s nine race schedule also includes the Group 2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas, a Group 3 double up with the Mode Technology Trentham Stakes and Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap, and the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes.

Tickets for this weekend and the Wellington Cup itself (January 29) are available at www.wellingtonracing.co.nz