Andrew Morris, Clerk of the Course at Warwick Racecourse, talks to our editor
- One Case 90 hp tractor.
This equipment is transported using two seventeen tonne articulated lorry/trailer combos, which are inspected and serviced every six weeks. “One of the biggest costs for contractors these days is haulage and fuel costs,” explains Paul. “Rising fuel costs have put a strain on all businesses involved in transport. At the end of the day we have to pass these increases on to the customers but, in the present economic climate, when securing work is becoming harder, as there is far more competition from other contractors, that is not as easy as it sounds. Also, many clubs and courses are now buying their own machines, which also has an impact on our business.”
“One of the ways to reduce costs is to limit the amount of travelling being done. However, there is only so much work in a given area so, to remain in this line of business, we have to be flexible and be prepared to work anywhere.”
“Our guys usually stay on site until they have finished, at which point they load up and move on to the next job. The work is planned so that, on the way to the next site, they can call back at the yard to get the equipment serviced and tines changed, so they are ready to go again.”
“In our line of business, tines do not last long and, bearing in mind a 25mm diameter tine costs around £18, with forty tines you are looking at a bill of £600 plus per refit, per machine. It is, therefore, important that they keep breakdowns to a minimum, and all the staff have developed good mechanical skills and can cope with most situations.” “Keeping yourself competitive is becoming
harder for most contractors - it really is a case of ensuring we deliver when given the opportunity,” says Paul. “However, it’s a delicate balancing act, as taking on too much work can be detrimental to the business as well; the last thing we want to do is let our customers down.” “The weather is also a huge factor in the success, or otherwise, of our schedule. But, in my twenty-four years, I’ve seen it all - drought, floods, the lot! Nothing is new, although this year’s early drought conditions have been challenging.”
The Morr
WARWICK Racecourse has certainly played its part in the history of horseracing - most notably when it became the first course to include a jump race in its programme, establishing National Hunt racing as it is known today. Racing in Warwick can actually be traced back to as early as 1694, when the sport was introduced to the market town in the hope of attracting wealthy professionals to help rebuild the areas fortunes after a devastating fire. The inaugural race at the course was held in 1707, but another 102 years passed before the first stand was opened, at a cost of £800, parts of which remain today amongst the later developments.
The most famous name to grace the course was the legendary Red Rum, who ran once over the flat in 1967 - the same year that jockeys complained the track was the worst they had ever seen, and called for racing to be abandoned after some horses sank into the mud by over a foot! Warwick hosts races all year round, with twenty-two fixtures under both codes of flat and jumps. The most valuable race run at Warwick is the Totesport Classic Chase, which is run on the second Saturday each January over three miles and five furlongs, The other main jumps feature is the Kingmaker Novices Chase Day, a festival trial meeting that takes place
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in February and provides excellent clues for the forthcoming Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.
The Clerk of the Course is Andrew
Morris, who is also in charge of Huntingdon Racecourse. The groundstaff team at Warwick is led by Head Groundsman, Nick Edwards, who recently joined Warwick from Newmarket Racecourse. He has four assistants.
The racing surface is fifteen
hectares with separate National Hunt (9 hectares) and flat tracks (6 hectares), which are treated and subjected to separate maintenance regimes. The sward is a mixture of ryegrasses and meadow grass. A recent visit from Steve Gingell from the STRI showed 70mm of sand improved soils with firmer clays underneath. The flat course has no drainage and the National Hunt course has only a small area of drainage located between the last two fences in the back straight.
Flat Course
The flat course is used between April and early October and, during 2011, will have thirteen fixtures on it. In particular, Warwick has a number of fixtures in close proximity during May and again in June and July. The regime is, therefore, based upon ensuring the track looks at it best for these fixtures.
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