In the latest instalment of his Clerk’s Column, Bath Racecourse clerk of the course Ben Hicks writes exclusively for the Bath Echo.
Here we are in one of the best weeks of the racing calendar – the Cheltenham Festival.
By the time you are reading this, many of the results will already be known and the Gold Cup will soon round off what I am sure will have been another wonderful week of the very best National Hunt racing.
As our opening day edges closer, we have been fortunate to enjoy some welcome spring sunshine.
The recent dry and bright weather has really helped bring the track on, as well as the lawns and surrounding areas across the site.
Last week the team took to the track for a walk and a talk together in the sunshine, which proved to be a fantastic way to bring everyone together from the office staff through to the grounds team.
The weather no doubt helped encourage a total of 14 members of our team to venture out on the mile-and-a-half loop.
Preparation of the racing surface has been progressing well. We have now cut the track a couple of times and earlier this week it was vertidrained.
Vertidraining is a specialist method of aeration where multiple solid tines penetrate approximately six to eight inches into the soil profile.
The process brings a number of important benefits, including relieving compaction in the soil, improving nutrient absorption and encouraging stronger root development.
Overall, this helps the grass establish more effectively and ensures we can maintain a consistent, stable racing surface throughout the season.
Over the coming week we will also be applying a feed to the track which will give the turf an additional boost ahead of our opening fixture on Sunday 5th April.
At the beginning of the season, we position the false rail up the entire length of the home straight so that runners come up the centre.
This allows us to save approximately five yards of fresh ground on the inside, which can then be brought into use later in the season when required.
With a total of 21 fixtures scheduled across the campaign, careful planning of the racing line is an important part of ensuring we are able to provide the best possible ground conditions for every meeting.
Away from the track itself, the team has also been busy with a number of training sessions in recent weeks.
Our ground staff recently travelled to Newmarket to take part in horse awareness training, which is designed to improve understanding of horse behaviour and safety when working in close proximity to racehorses.
Looking ahead to next week, we will be heading out to visit trainers who regularly support racing at Bath.
This is something we try to do both before and during the season in order to maintain and strengthen those relationships.
Race days themselves can be incredibly busy for trainers as well as for us, so having the opportunity to catch up away from the bustle of a fixture allows for more detailed conversations and feedback.
It is always worthwhile and mutually beneficial as we continue working together to make the season a success.
With the sunshine returning (albeit briefly!), preparations continue and excitement builds as we count down the final weeks to Easter.
