in the surface and create racing conditions closer to those on the old course. Regular decompaction with a pair of Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7526 linear aerators has been crucial to this, as Chris Stickels explains: “We verti-drain the new course four times a year, working at varying depths from 200 to 250mm, to break up compaction and encourage root growth whereas, on the old course, it is only done once a year. It has made a significant difference,” he says. “On the National Hunt track, the depth of the topsoil varied intially and compaction was an issue, along with water lying on the top, but the verti- draining programme has resolved this.” Gilly comments that the verti-drain
scores over other machines for the amount of heave that it produces, and the flexibility offered by the ability to use a range of tines. He adds that the latest machines are also much quicker than in the past, with two verti-drains covering eight hectares in two and a half days. It has also contributed to the success of a new topdressing regime, fitted with hollow tines to mix in the 10mm of Mansfield Sand organic mix that has been applied annually to the jumps course for the past three years. “This has improved turf growth and
water retention on the National Hunt course, which is a gritty, grainy material from the old topsoil and needed the body that the organic matter has added,” explains Chris.
While the ‘turf bridge’ over the
Winkfield Road is eye-catching to the motorist, it seems that horses and jockeys do not notice it. “It’s an identical profile, so has an identical feel,” comments Gilly. “But, it is much easier for us to handle than a road crossing, and better for the horses.” The grass cutting regime has also seen change, with a shift from the use of cylinders to Toro Groundsmaster 580 and 590 ride-on rotary triples. “They are quicker and easier to move about than a tractor mounted mower, and the latest models offer a much improved cut and presentation, standing the sward up,” says Gilly. “However, we
do still use a Lloyds gang mower in the wet, as it gives an even spread of cuttings and avoids clumping. The ride-ons are also heavy and risk marking in wet conditions.” Rainbird pop-up irrigators, sited under the running rail, take care of much of the watering on the narrower round course, but Ascot has gone back to Briggs boom irrigators for the wider straight course. “Accuracy and effectiveness is an issue with pop-ups, so we have had to re- address the irrigation system,” says Chris. Water is harvested from the building
roofs and underpasses and pumped to a new reservoir as required, using the latest eco-friendly technology to solve the age- old requirement for significant volumes of water on the racecourse. Fertiliser is currently under review; the
nitrogen requirements of the new course are significantly higher than those of the old course and the use of granular compounds does not always deliver the required results. “We find that nutrients wash through
quickly, so we are looking at liquids and controlled release products,” says Chris. Gilly adds: “We would like to hold the colour in the turf for longer, especially from July onwards; we seem to get a flush that only lasts for a few weeks. We apply fertiliser regularly throughout the growing season, as long as the conditions are right.” Poa annua is a thorn in the racecourse
groundsman’s side as much as in any other sport, especially as the opportunity rarely arises for tight mowing to eliminate poa seeding. “We have tried using competitive varieties, and we will cut to 65mm (2.5in) at the end of the season as opposed to the usual 100-115mm (3.5-4.5in),” comments Chris. Gilly explains that the cuttings are
picked up using a Trilo vacuum collector, before the course is raked with an Opico harrow and vacuumed again, pulling up thatch as well as tackling the poa. “But, techniques such as fraise mowing
are not available to us, as we race virtually all year, and we could not guarantee the right conditions for
regrowth afterwards,” says Chris. Despite the need to minimise vehicle movements on the turf to avoid further compaction, tractors are crucial to course maintenance. The old Renaults are gradually being replaced with Kubota M108s, shod on low profile tyres to provide sufficient traction along with a gentle tread. “We need plenty of power for fertiliser application, watering and verti- draining,” comments Chris, “Due to the sand based nature of the new course, it needs lots of attention and that means relying on the right machinery.”
Firming up on final plans
British Champions Day will add to the demands on the team, not least due to the goal of providing good-firm going in the unpredictable British autumn. “For flat racing, we do not want the going to be any easier than good and, with the calibre of horses the meeting will attract, good-firm is the ideal,” explains Gilly. “We will not be watering the old course in the run up to the meeting; when it is dry the old and new courses are very similar but, in the wet, you can see a big difference in the going.” With no quick fix to improve wet
ground - although rain covers are being considered - keeping the surface open throughout the year will be crucial. “We have seen the benefits on the new course, where standing water used to produce dirt kickback. Now it can get through to the sand layer quickly,” says Gilly.
The last raceday before British Champions Day is 1st October, so Gilly and his team will have just two weeks to bring the course back. Moving the running rail and setting out the courses is key.
The courses will be set out wide for the
previous meeting and brought back in for the championship fixture, saving the ground for the big day.
In this age of mechanisation, moving the running rail is still a painfully manual process. “I’ve looked at all sorts of ways to make it easier, including mechanically hammering in the uprights,
New Toro Groundmaster 580 rotary has replaced gang mowing
Gilly Gifford 109
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