Wellington Cup Details

Easier access, public safety and fun are priorities for this year's Wellington Cup

8 January 2007

The popularity of last year’s Wellington Cup Day at Trentham racecourse has prompted improvements to parking and easier access by road and rail for those attending this year’s event on Saturday 27 January.

The first day of the Carnival kicks off with the Wine and Racing Day on Saturday 20 January followed by Family Day on Monday 22 January, Wellington’s Anniversary holiday.

This year’s Century City Developments Wellington Cup Day has a strong emphasis on public safety, which includes a public ban on BYO alcohol at the course.

For those travelling by car:
 Access via Alexander Road on the back straight side (eastern side) of the course to the centre of course parking will be via TWO lanes of traffic until noon on Cup Day. From noon, this will operate on a 20 minutes open, 20 minutes closed basis as a ONE lane operation while racing is in progress.
 A special Trentham SH2 expressway will be managed by Fulton Hogan for cars travelling from Wellington to Trentham. Vehicles travelling north have the option to turn right at the Kennedy-Good Bridge and travel via Fairway Drive, Avalon, Stokes Valley and Silverstream, turning right at the Silverstream underpass to the International Campus (formerly CIT) playing fields for parking. It is a five-minute walk to the course from this free parking area.
 Access from SH2 and River Road to the Alexander Road centre of course parking is via the Whakatiki Street, Gibbons Street, Totara Park and Brown Owl SH2 turn-offs.
 Members’ parking is in the reserved area at the south end of the Members’ Stand and via the northern entrance behind the former Ledger Tote. Access to both these areas is via Racecourse Road, parallel to Trentham Station.

For those travelling by train from Wellington:
 TranzMetro will be running their normal Saturday timetable to Trentham with trains leaving at 7.35am and every half hour thereafter (ie, 8.05am, 8.35am) supplemented by special express trains.
 Special express trains will run at 11am, 11.30 am and 12 noon stopping at Petone, Waterloo, Taita and Trentham.
Those with alcohol in vehicles entering the centre of the course via the Alexander Road entrance will be asked to drive away or are liable to have the alcohol confiscated.

All those under 25 who want to buy alcohol will be required to obtain a coloured wristband after providing evidence of their age. Different wristbands will be provided to designated drivers who will receive a free bottle of water and be entitled to discounted soft drinks throughout the day.

All those entering the course are liable to have bags searched and while there is no restriction on picnicking essentials they will need to be secured if it is windy.

Wellington Racing Club general manager, Tony Severinsen, said: “Last year Wellington Cup Day was the biggest race day in New Zealand and we are responsible and keen to ensure that this year’s event is safe, successful and fun for everyone.

He says with an ounce of luck with the weather last year’s Cup Day record attendance of 28,000 and TAB turnover of $6.5m could be under threat.

Tickets cost $20 per person or $10 for under-12s and are available via www.ticketmaster.co.nz or with a train ticket at Wellington Railway Station on the day (cost $25). There will also be sales booths and roving sellers at the course entrance. Limited numbers of Members’ Stand tickets and VIP hospitality opportunities are available from the club on 0800 873684.

ENDS

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