| The Penetrometer 
Penetrometers come in many configurations. The one illustrated above is being used by a soldier to gauge the softness of the ground. The device was invented and used by the military to plot the course of tanks and heavy artillery across waterlogged fields. This works by the soldier pressing his body weight against the spike. The extent of the spikes penetration of the ground is recorded by a needle on the dial. Its hardly an exact science.
The penetrometers using in racing are a different design, usually featuring a weight or hammer that drops onto the spike, and some even provide digital read outs...although I am not sure why. An 'English penetrometer' is of a different design again. It is comprised of an elderly gentleman and an umbrella.
| | TRACK RATINGS CHART | Category | Scale | Description | | FAST | 1 | A dry hard track | | GOOD | 2 | A firm track | | GOOD | 3 | Ideal track with some give | | DEAD | 4 | Track with give, better side of Dead | | DEAD | 5 | Significant amount of give, worse side of Dead | | SLOW | 6 | A mildly rain affected track, better side of Slow | | SLOW | 7 | Rain affected, worse side of Slow | | HEAVY | 8 | Soft track, just into Heavy range | | HEAVY | 9 | Very soft, genuine Heavy | | HEAVY | 10 | Very soft and wet, heaviest category | | |
For many years the condition of tracks was described by as either Fast, Good, Dead, Slow or Heavy. This, together with penetrometer readings was not considered good enough and since 2005 tracks have been classified by the above 10 point scale. Racing seems to have a thing about measuring the quality of the ground by quantifiable scales. Following concern over the number of breakdowns on hard tracks Victoria introduced a policy of tacks being prepared to Good (3) condition and meetings were abandoned if the track was rated Fast (1). In warmer weather this required tracks to be watered down to Dead and allowed to dry to Good(3) condition by racetime. The policy has been controversial and some sort of conspiracy theory was levelled against the VRC for the application of the policy for the 2006 Melbourne Cup which claimed the track was doctored to the advantage of the winner, Makybe Diva. | |
