14:40 The third race starts (1 mile 2 furlongs) 17:15
marshalling duties, driving a vehicle around the course on the service road during each race. Adrian’s staff and track attendants take up their marshalling positions around the track, usually two at each furlong post.
13:40
The first race is underway (1 mile 2 furlongs), and everything goes smoothly with no problems.
14:50
Adrian inspects the course and oversees yet another moving of the starting stalls.
15:10
The fourth race starts. Laurence loses money having taken a punt on the 3-1 favourite, US Ranger, which duly comes in fourth!
13:45
Adrian checks the course for damage, and phones in to William to convey how well the course is standing up to the racing. The starting stalls are moved to the 7 furlong mark for the start of the next race.
15:20
Adrian meets up with the course inspectors to check out the course. A decision is made to water the course after the first day’s racing. This decision is based on the weather forecast, the current condition of the course and Adrian’s knowledge. 5mm of water will be applied to the whole course.
14:15
Adrian and John meet up to discuss track conditions and to supervise divot repairs.
Adrian is back on the phone organising staff cover. It is going to be a long night for him and his staff!
Each irrigator takes 45 minutes to water a furlong of track. With over 13 furlongs to water it will be well into the early morning before the watering is completed. Adrian and his staff finally get to bed at 3.00am, and will be up again for an early start.
For the next two days of racing it is much of the same; long hours and plenty to do. Adrian thrives on it. The going for the remaining race days was measured at 9.1 and 9.7 retaining a good to firm surface. Watering was also applied on the Thursday night.
More than 42,000 racegoers attended over the three days of the festival. All in it was a very successful meeting. No horses were injured, a consistent surface was provided and everyone had a good experience of racing at York, including Adrian!
As soon as the last race has finished Adrian’s staff move in with the two Briggs boom irrigators. It will take approximately eight hours to water the course using these irrigators and the in- situ pop up watering system.
15:45 14:30
The starting stall are moved across the track for the next race.
The same procedures are followed for the three remaining races at 15:45, 16:20 and 16:55, with constant checking on the condition of the course and arranging the movement of starting stalls for each race.
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