2021_JC_Guide_Book

4/22

②The grass used is Noshiba grass, a local variety, with Italian Ryegrass overseeding, or, ryegrass planted over Noshiba grass in autumn/winter season to add cushion and color. The mowing height of the grass is over 12 cm. Noshiba grass has stolons growing in horizontal direction and upright stems connected to the stolons which makes the turf track durable to damages (Fig.1). It is also strip resistant, with a good grip which makes it easier for the horses to run with speed. Further, due to frequent rainfalls in Japan, the base is made from gravel and crushed rocks with extremely well drainage to maintain best track condition (Fig.2).③Track maintenance on raceday is performed by some 150 sta■ divided into 13 groups. After each race, they check the turf track and repair the turf stripped by the horse hooves to provide fair and even track for the safety of the horses and the jockeys (Fig.3).6Surface (Outer Layer) : Grass (height = over 12cm)Upper Course Bed A : Mountain Sand with Soil Conditioners (thickness ≒ 20cm)Upper Course Bed B : Mountain Sand (thickness ≒ 30cm)Lower Course Bed : Crushed Rocks (thickness ≒ 20cm)Fig.2Noshiba Grass(Local Variety)StolonsFig.1Fig.3Italian RyegrassCharacteristics - safe & well-maintained -①Even (Flat) track with few undulations (only 2.7m di■erence) (See p.5)-Frankie Dettori, three times Japan Cup winning Jockey -Frankie Dettori, three times Japan Cup winning Jockey Turf Track of Tokyo Racecourse