joe ramsden article on s.p

Karma wrote: Not jumping on any bandwagon here, just an honest question. I have never been to summerveld, so not being sarcastic either. But is summerveld battling with these grass issues?

Some say it's the best traing centre on the planet

Bob Brogan wrote:

Karma wrote: Not jumping on any bandwagon here, just an honest question. I have never been to summerveld, so not being sarcastic either. But is summerveld battling with these grass issues?

Some say it's the best traing centre on the planet

Then I can only wonder if it is the same grass as at Grey and Scott. As Summerveld is used everyday.

OTA when your started 40 years ago there was nowhere near the amount of racing that there is today. I remember working as a tote operator as a student, no Sundays and Mondays. And if I can remember correctly each Province got a midweek day and CT, Jhb and Kzn all raced on the Saturday.

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I believe the problem is that they are trying to grow kikuyu right on the coast and most grass experts will be surprised as this is not ideal especially during winter. And before everybody shouts, "change the grass", kikuyu is the most resilient grass we have in this country when it comes to using it for horse racing.

Bob Summerveld has grass everyday but there are 3 different tracks. 1 grass track per day and a marked strip for that day, not a free for all.

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I think the irritating bit for many is the attempts by GC members to minimalise the track issues. Admitting that they were woefully inadequate in their efforts to utilise any resources gained in the sale of Clairewood, and ensuring the long term health of KZN racing venues is not going to happen. Who were the experts who planned the current tracks in the first place?
whats their opinion and solution for the current problems? Surely there was great expertise used in the initial venture ?not just a few trainers, businessmen and ex auctioneer/ race callers that led to the current design?

DrDom they are getting plenty grief from members also, guys on this thread are members

Most tracks (sub-tropical) use a combination of grasses, depth/strength of root systems, different growing periods, different foliage, different feeding schedules and fertilizers. Aerating/hollow tining/cutting back/cutting before and during the season. Top dressing, irrigation etc. All in conjunction with weather systems and at different times of the year. I am sure it is far more involved than just the above.
Why do some get it right and others just make excuses ?? :huh: ??
IMHO it is far easier.

I'm just a mad punter so not clued up

Has any grass tracks been part AstroTurf like the rugby and Soccer pitches

Or would that be to expensive ?

I remember walking across the track at the last Gold challenge meeting held at Clairwood and I remember how uneven the surface was ....the grass was terrible.
I'm wondering if astroturf or some other synthetic grass may not be the solution as well???

I don't think it will work, the power of the horse legs hooves with shoes will destroy it in no time .

Tigershark, Paul as Chairman of the Natal Trainers association and Tony as basically his vice chairman, manager at Summerveld and someone who knows more about tracks than 99.999% of people in racing had every right to be there. They are probably 2 of the most qualified trainers to go to the meeting. I was also invited as am a trainers committee member report to Tony where track matters are concerned at Summerveld. If there had been trainers invited and we hadn't turned up we would have been slated. You cannot win with some people. :lol:

What's the difference between grass and astro turf?
"I dont know I have never smoked astro turf "