NGCÂ 4649 ( M60 ) is one of a handful of giant Virgo ellipticals .
We have obtained Gemini/GMOS spectra for 38 GCs associated with this galaxy .
Applying the multi-index \chi ^ { 2 } minimisation technique of Proctor & Sansom ( 2002 ) with the single stellar population models of Thomas , Maraston & Korn ( 2004 ) we derive ages , metallicities and \alpha -element abundance ratios .
We find several young ( 2–3 Gyr old ) super-solar metallicity GCs , while the majority are old ( > 10 Gyrs ) , spanning a range of metallicities from solar to [ Z/H ] =–2 .
At least two of these young GCs are at large projected radii of 17-20 kpc .
The galaxy itself shows no obvious signs of a recent starburst , interaction or merger .
A trend of decreasing \alpha -element ratio with increasing metallicity is found .