Equestrian


“


We use power tools less frequently as there is a lot of fibre in this mix - as the fibre is broken down the surface becomes ‘dead’


One of a pair of Cousins Gallopmasters used to maintain and finish the track – 18 years old and still going strong!


unthinkable in the early days of all‐weather racing, suggests George Ash. “We started out in 1991 with a material called Equitrack which was very firm and hard; water would lie on it in pools after heavy rain!” he recalls. The current Lingfield surface is Polytrack, a mixture of sand, wax fibre and jelly cable and Jon explains: “There’s a range of different surfaces in use on UK all‐weather tracks, but even the same product can differ, depending on its composition and where it is in its lifespan. Whilst working the surface to get the optimum racing conditions, we also aim to minimise its degradation and thus extend its working life.”


The latest version of Polytrack used on the course has a higher proportion of fibre, requiring careful management.


“ 118 I PC APRIL/MAY 2018


The previous Polytrack was replaced in 2012 after twelve years use, and Jon comments that techniques have evolved for the newer mix. “We use power tools less frequently as there is a lot of fibre in this mix ‐ as the fibre is broken down the surface becomes ‘dead’,” he says.


Powered cultivators have been largely replaced with the new 6m pull‐type Salford


spring tine cultivator, sourced by surface suppliers Martin Collins. Key to its effectiveness is a ‘duck foot share’ and the ability to angle the frame hydraulically to ‘bite’ into the pad, whilst working at speeds up to 8kph. The wide tine spacing and large roller also resist clogging.


“It came from Aqueduct in the USA, and everyone was a little wary of it initially,” comments George Hill. “I asked Martin Collins to give us a demonstration and we have been very impressed with what it can do.”


Stalwarts of the surface preparation fleet are a pair of Cousins Gallopmasters, which have been in use for an impressive eighteen years!


The Gallopmaster then works down to 7.5cm, and is used to prepare and finish the surface according to weather conditions and usage. Each Gallopmaster has sixty‐six ‘shoes’ and tines are changed every twelve weeks ‐ switched round when part worn and then replaced. Rollers are also replaced


The wax in the surface goes cold and hard and can clog the Gallopmaster, although the latest rollers are better than the original crumble bars


The Salford spring tine cultivator made a significant contribution to saving the Spring Derby meeting in March, breaking up the all‐ weather surface and tackling lumps of ice forming as snow fell


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