Wednesday 14th May 2008
Adrian's longest serving staff member, John Imeson (20 years at the course), goes out to cut the grass bank areas with the Etesia ride-on cut and collect mower, using the clippings to mask the crossings.
The 17 track assistants spend the morning cleaning and putting up railings.
06:00
Adrian and William walk the course and measure the going whilst, at the same time, discussing issues of the day. It takes about an hour to walk the whole course, but it gives Adrian a chance to check for any last minute problems.
Throughout the day Adrian constantly keeps in touch with staff and officials using his mobile.
12:00 11:30
07:00
Adrian returns to the mess room and debriefs his staff. A Turftrax official arrives and goes out onto the course to measure the going. He uses seventy reference points, recording the average of three readings taken at each point. An average is then arrived at from all seventy reference points. The going is officially declared at 9.71 - Good to Firm.
09:00
Adrian’s assistant, John Morley, is left to organise the finishing touches to fence rails and crossing points.
Adrian is invited to attend a Channel 4 TV interview with John Francome. Adrian discusses the condition of the course and explains the recent improvements that have been made.
Adrian returns to his mowing duties to finish off the presentation of the course.
13:00
Just before the racing begins, crossings are covered with clippings.
08:00
Adrian gets on the John Deere triple mower to finish striping up the course, concentrating on the main straight.
Temporary barrier fencing is erected to prevent horses escaping from the track.
Adrian and John then take up their
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