Speedcut Contractors carried out work at Royal Windsor Racecourse to alleviate compaction caused by metal track crossovers that carried heavy vehicles and visitors during IOG SALTEX.

The Gwazae in action on the traffic crossing at Royal Windsor Racecourse after SALTEX.

They also decompacted the ‘pull-up’ bend after the finish line, which they have done over the last four years, which has improved root development and aids the traction of horses’ hooves to avoid slippage.

Crossover walkways during SALTEX carry large amounts of traffic with very heavy transport vehicles, and Speedcut have been called for the last three years to solve compaction with their Gwazae deep-probe aerator.

“Speedcut do an excellent job,” says Jeff Green, Royal Windsor clerk of the course and grounds manager. “This is my fifth season at Windsor and we have developed a very good working relationship with Barry Pace and his team.”

Contracts manager Barry says: “Jeff and the team do a brilliant job and work very quickly after SALTEX to get the course back into shape. The Gwazae is ideal for deep decompaction with compressed air and we inject a seaweed solution, gypsum and a wetting agent into the holes for added lasting decompaction.”

Immediately after SALTEX when the walkways are removed, Jeff overseeds – using BSH A20 Ryesport – and covers the areas. Seed is pre-germinated for faster rooting.

“We were lucky with the weather this year,” says Jeff. “The hot dry conditions made things easier and the layout of the show had changed, making it more compact. It was very noticeable from the Grandstand that the show was laid out with better avenues – and the number of flags on stands appears to have grown.”