Watering at Newbury with stick readings of 4.4 and 4.2

The GoingStick is a mandatory tool in British horse racing that provides an objective, numerical measurement of ground conditions, or "going," by testing soil penetration and shear (resistance). Ranging from 1 to 15, lower numbers mean softer/slower ground, while higher numbers indicate firmer/faster ground.

From the BHA website!!

Most of the Grade 1 tracks in UK have had too much drainage installed in the past few years to avoid abandonments leading to overwatering which leads to poor grass growth and inconsistent ground.

I have a half memory that Newbury aren't allowed to water during the summer months because of some water restriction. Perhaps they feel the need to get some on the hurdles/flat track now? Otherwise, it's inexplicable when the going map shows good to soft all round.

I believe they are currently building a new resevoir in the middle of the track to overcome that retriction.

Be soft to heavy all year round then once he gets his hands on unlimited water!

*restriction

3:32pm
Supreme Malinas (IRE)

Fri 20 Mar 7:41am Reason: Self Cert (Going)

3:00pm
Faivoir (FR)

Fri 20 Mar 7:40am Reason: Self Cert (Going)

So Dan Skelton has withdrawn two runners for the going, it that because it is too soft?

Perhaps you can see why they watered.
The ground is Good and likely to get faster

I am not sure that it is good! All races slower than standard and most by 10/15 seconds but it is clear the going stick reading of 4.4, which implies heavy going, is clearly totally inaccurate and should be consigned to the rubbish bin.

The chase races were closer to standard, so that is good.

you can't compare readings from course to course as each course has different soil profiles
newbury typically has v low readings 2.x would indicate heavy there 5.x is beyond top side of good

On Fri, 20 Mar 7:22am the watering status was Watered - Between 4-16mm selective watering applied Tuesday - Thursday. Note - chase course received more irrigation. Will review any further selective watering after racing.

considering the chase track was good on times yesterday I've got no problem with this in bold
but g/s on chase track is a myth