Thoroughbred Racing
When challenges arise during the year, or you want to improve your track, NZSTI is here to support you and your track management team in having a great racing surfaces
Support packages
A great way to meet the challenges that arise during the year, an NZSTI support package for you and your Track management team.
We have a support package tailored to your needs and budget.
Premium
Our premium support offers you the following benefits:
- Unlimited phone and email support from our Agronomists
- NZSTI Racing Chemical Guide featuring controls for pests, weeds, diseases, moss and growth regulator
- Premium support newsletter covering seasonal issues
- Written analysis and interpretation of soil, organic matter, and water tests
- Access to the full Turf Management Journal back catalogue
- Free online job advertisements
Full Advisory
Our full advisory support offers you the following benefits:
- All the benefits of the Premium Support, plus
- One on-site advisory visit by an Institute Agronomist:
- During the site visit, turf quality problems will be identified and solutions provided.
- After the visit, you will receive a detailed report providing advice and recommendations to improve surface quality and performance.
Consultancy
NZSTI provides a range of consultancy services to race tracks throughout New Zealand.
Through our team, we have a range of experts in all areas of turf management as well as providing general agronomic advice.
Track Testing
NZSTI can perform a grass track condition audits with assessments which includes:
Grass track audit
- Fertility including available nitrogen
- Turf cover assessment which includes ground cover, species composition, turf sward conditioning, bare ground, weed content.
- Rootzone compaction – both surface layer and profile to depth
- Infiltration
- Moisture retention
- Root depth
Additional testing services on request
Contact your local NZSTI Agronomist for additional testing support available.
Construction and Design
From inception to sign-off, we are equipped to manage your sportsfield construction project.
Specifications and drawings
- Preparation of concept, working and as-built drawings
- Surface performance criteria
- Drainage system specification
- Irrigation system specification
- Irrigation water supply and water quality assessment
- Turf species selection
Materials selection
- Rootzone, blinding sand, gravel, and topdressing sands
- Soil suitability
- Drainage materials
Project management
- Client – contractor relationship management
- Supplier selection
- Monitoring construction standards and tolerances
- Onsite material quality assurance
- Maintenance programme until handover
Laboratory
NZSTI provide a range of laboratory tests including:
Rootzone sands, topdressing sands, and blinding sands
- Particle size distribution
- Organic matter content
- Moisture release curve
- Hydraulic conductivity
- Calcium carbonate content
- Topdressing sand compatibility
- pH
Nutrient testing
NZSTI maintains a strategic link with Hill Laboratories Ltd, offering a complete soil test interpretation and fertiliser recommendation service from a chemical analysis of root zones, plant tissue and irrigation water.
Pest and disease diagnostic service
The NZSTI laboratory provides routine pest and disease analysis.
