The crazy world of going sticks

The obvious suspicion is that Windsor's 5.7 is wrong. Maybe it should be 7.5 and the CoC wears boxing gloves to type.

But in that case the more fundamental problem is not having a system (other than GEORGE.B's eyeballs) to pick up discrepancies between the numerical and verbal going descriptions.

Yet despite that seemingly low going stick reading, Coco Bear, known to be best when there is give in the ground, has been withdrawn on account of the going.

Clerks of the Course live in 'a world of their own'  - and are, obviously, Not Punters - nor give any thought to them.

Too many other things to bother about ... Corporate Hospitality, Media Rights, Car Parking, Ticketing etc - than a precise and accurate description of the GOING  .... When somebody has given them ' A Stick' to do that job for them. 

Can't do links but type in 'Going stick' there's an article from the R/Post.
Bit about the readings @ different tracks.

Just one more thing to bring about a headache when trying to find a winner.

The only reason I can think of is the soil base.

Ayr will be sand based Windsor possibly clay based.

So you will get a higher reading on sandy soil than you would on clay/loam soil.

Penetration is easier on sand than it is on clay.

barstool17 Jul 23 14:58Joined: 14 Jan 04 | Topic/replies: 9,256 | Blogger: barstool's blog
Penetration is easier on sand than it is on clay.

Fair comment - I have a lot more luck with the ladies on the beach, than I have down at the clay pits!

I would be surprised if Ayr were sand based the number of times it gets waterlogged.  But it doesn't matter much to me.  I avoid the place as much as possible.

Depends on the weight and density of the stick imo.

Having read the RP article flagged up by penzance ( many thanks ), and also looked at the BHB website, it seems the courses differ in soil type to such an extent that it only makes sense comparing the various readings given over time at a track to get an idea of how it's riding on a particular day.

Ayr on G/F this year  8.5, 8.5, 8.4
Ayr on Good this year 8.3, 8.2, 8.2, 8.0

Winsdor on G/F this year  7.0, 7.4, 7.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9, 7.2
Winsdor on Good this year 5.9, 5.9

04/04/22	WINDSOR	GOOD (Good to soft in places; 7.0)
11/04/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO SOFT (Good in places; 6.7)
25/04/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places, Watered, 7.1)
02/05/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; 7.0)
09/05/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 7.1)
16/05/22	WINDSOR	GOOD (Watered; 6.8)
23/05/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.2) changing to GOOD after Race 4 (6.40)
30/05/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 7.1) changing to GOOD after Race 2 (5.40)
06/06/22	WINDSOR	SOFT (Heavy in places; 6.0)
13/06/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places, watered, 7.0)
20/06/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.0)
25/06/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 7.0)
26/06/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered: 6.9)
27/06/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 7.0)
11/07/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.5)
25/07/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.9)
01/08/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered, 8.1)
07/08/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.6)
08/08/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Firm in places; watered; 7.6)
15/08/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 6.6)
27/08/22	WINDSOR	GOOD TO SOFT (Good in places; watered; 6.2)
01/09/22	WINDSOR	GOOD (Good to firm in places; 6.9; watered)
03/10/22	WINDSOR	GOOD (Good to soft in places, 7.3)
10/10/22	WINDSOR	GOOD (Good to soft in places; 7.7)
17/10/22	WINDSOR	SOFT (Good to soft in places; 6.1)
17/04/23	WINDSOR	SOFT (Heavy in places; 4.3)
24/04/23	WINDSOR	SOFT (3.8) changing to SOFT (Heavy in places) after Race 5 (3.45) changing to HEAVY after Race 7 (4.55)
01/05/23	WINDSOR	SOFT (Heavy in places)
08/05/23	WINDSOR	SOFT (5.1)
15/05/23	WINDSOR	SOFT (4.1)
22/05/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.0)
29/05/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.4)
05/06/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 7.4)
12/06/23	WINDSOR	GOOD (Watered; 5.9)
19/06/23	WINDSOR	GOOD (Good to firm in places on Round course; watered; 5.9)
26/06/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Watered; 6.6)
01/07/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 6.8)
02/07/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places; watered; 6.9)
03/07/23	WINDSOR	GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places, watered, 7.2)

stick readings are not comparable from track to track due to different soil structures

go back 10 years windsor were calling 8.x good ground & 9.x g/f
pretty much every track nowadays its an overwatered surface
and the stick readings show they've all recalibrated what THEY think the ground is