THIS is the busiest time of the year at Worcester Racecourse.

There are four race meetings in two weeks and seven in eight weeks which for a small team given the current heatwave can at times be challenging.

We are well used to running race meetings in hot weather.

We have a carefully-designed plan to ensure the best possible care for the horses when temperatures rise.

This includes hiring a fifth vet and having additional staff to cool the horses with the extra water stationed around the course.

We are lucky to have a naturally-shady wash-down area for the horses, pre and post-race, under the trees near to the river side where there is always a breeze.

We also provide increased bottled water for jockeys, stable and racecourse staff to ensure hydration.

Claines trainer Dr Richard Newland continued his fine form at the course with a double on the recent family fun raceday.

Jockey Charlie Hammond, who rode both winners, was enjoying only his second ever double. Destiny’s Gold has run eight times at Worcester since 2016, five of these for trainer George Baker and three for Newland.

The Millenary gelding was posting his third win at the course, much to the delight of a large syndicate of local owners from the Brewers Racing Club.

Newland’s other winner Inessa was significant because she is the first mare her trainer has sent out to victory.

Historically, Newland has trained very few mares.

Useful on the Flat in listed races in Germany, the progressive Inessa was having only her second outing in Britain since arriving at Newland’s yard in May this year.

Last Wednesday we were joined by a special guest and resident of the Racehorse Welfare Centre near Malvern.

Elegant Olive, now 15 years old, ran 44 times in seven years and was placed on 10 occasions.

The centre is a small Worcestershire charity who for the past 10 years have worked with ex-racehorses that have struggled to be rehomed for either health or behavioural reasons.

Their work is funded purely from donations from supporters.

Worcester’s 2017 leading trainer Jonjo O’Neill sent out his first winner of the season at the track last week.

Sky Pirate was purchased by owners Lady Bamford and Alice Bamford for £150,000 following a point-to-point win at Larkhill in February 2017 when trained by Sophie Lacey.

He has since won two of his five races to date for O’Neill, both at Worcester.

The Midnight Legend gelding has not been out of the first three and his earnings to date are now £14,337.

June 27 was a significant date in the colourful history of Worcester Racecourse.

It was 300 years to the day since the first recorded race took place at Pitchcroft.

We have chosen to celebrate this momentous milestone at our race meeting tomorrow.

We have the great honour of being joined by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal who rode her own horse Cnoc Na Cuille to victory at the course in the Droitwich Handicap Chase on September 3, 1987.

The gates open at 11.40am tomorrow.