Equestrian
Centre course, looking over to the new grandstand development “
Preparation of Tapeta takes place a few days before and on the morning of a meeting, with power harrows working the top three inches before it is rolled with the tractor wheels and followed by two passes with the Gallopmasters
compared to a morning for mowing, so we are also rejigging the workload. The ripper should be useful if the surface gets wet or compacted, as well as to loosen the surface before the Gallopmasters go on.” “The ideal is to have a ‘pan’ underneath to
provide grip with the top three inches of surface loose and fluffy, but maintenance also needs to be tweaked according to the weather conditions. It was very warm on the first day of the Plate meeting, so the surface was quite soft with a bit of kickback, but then it rained and the temperature dropped so it became firmer and rode better.” Whilst ground conditions for all-weather
racing are generally announced as ‘standard’ and the aim is for consistency between courses and surfaces, James has taken to adding a little more detail to his reports, making it clear if the track is riding firmer or softer to give trainers a more precise idea of how well it will suit their horses. “But, at the end of the day, we still expect
the best horses to win. It is an easy galloping track so presents a similar test to flat racing
on the turf.” He adds that the development of the all-
weather track has also added flexibility to the overall workload. “It has taken away the constant routine of mowing and fertilising on a turf flat track - preparation of Tapeta takes place a few days before and on the morning of a meeting, with power harrows working the top three inches before it is rolled with the tractor wheels and followed by two passes with the Gallopmasters. We also run the Gallopmasters over once during the card, usually after the fourth race.” “Thus, the team are freed up in the summer to attend to other tasks such as rebuilding the steeplechase fences or caring for trees on the golf course.” To cater for the popular ‘twilight’ meetings, fifty-four floodlights have been installed by Musco Lighting, stretching from the end of the straight mile to the pull-up area. “We’ll rejig the racecard in winter so that the longer races which go round the back of the course take place before dark,” James explains.
Golf and racing working together
On racedays, the six full-time groundstaff are backed up by the five-strong greenkeeping team from Parklands who do duty manning crossings and driving tractors. Estate Manager Jon Watson joined the team three years ago using his golf expertise to help upgrade the 18-hole course, which also offers a 28-bay driving range, American-style mini golf complete with waterfall and a seven hole pitch and putt but, since the beginning of this year, has taken on additional responsibilities for turfcare on the racecourse and estate.
Golf and racing co-exist happily at Newcastle; Northumberland Golf Club's course even plays across the racetrack on race days
106 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
“We have reconstructed bunkers and teeboxes, as well as upgrading drainage, as part of a general refit
to improve standards,” he explains. “The course runs smoothly alongside the racecourse with a growing membership and is largely unaffected by activities on the racecourse, except on the busiest days.”
“The estate is part of a conservation area and every tree has a preservation order so that always has to be taken into considerations. Taking into account non-racing functions, which all require a high standard of grounds presentation, this park never sleeps, but we are a good team and everything that we achieve is down to teamwork.”
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