The Greyville turf is looking in magnificent shape at present and there are innovations afoot which aim to have it in as good condition during the winter months from now onward.

The city course’s turf track copped plenty of criticism during the last SA Champions Season, which takes place in the depth of winter in May, June and July.

Raf Sheik (Nkosi Hlophe)

Gold Circle’s new Racing Executive Raf Sheik revealed the full “spring treatment” given to Greyville every year would from next season onward take place in January and February. He pointed out currently the treatment takes place nine months ahead of KZN’s main season, meaning the track is already worn by the time this world class three month festival of racing begins. Furthermore, there are changing seasonal patterns all over the globe, including in Durban. January and February are now probably Durban’s two best months of the year for growth, as the climate during this period combines warmth with moisture.

In future there will also be plenty of turf racing at Greyville after the SA Champions Season. Depending on the condition of the track, it will either be rested in August for up to five weeks, or turf racing will continue unabated at Greyville right through until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, there is a plan from next season onward to have two separate “spring treatments” for Scottsville. The aim is to have either the Inside or the Outside track open at any given time. This will ensure there is turf racing in KZN throughout the year.

When the Scottsville Ïnside track is being treated, there will only be racing down the straight at Scottsville on the Outside track.

In order to achieve the two separate Scottsville Spring Treatments, their pull-up areas will have to be separated. Plans are in motion to achieve this.

The Scottsville Spring Treatments will take place in and around the month of October every year.

Sheik said the secret to the current top class condition of the Greyville turf track included bringing in expert advice during the Spring Treatment. Furthermore, torrential rain caused the cancellation of the earliest intended turf meeting, and this allowed the track an extra month of unhindered growth.

Early next year there will be full turf meetings at Greyville on January 1, January 22 and February 19.

Thereafter the track will be closed for six weeks in order to give it a “light treatment.” This should ensure it is in good shape for the 2017 SA Champions Season.

By David Thiselton