It was unfortunate that last Sunday’s (8 October) Sha Tin meeting was cancelled because of Typhoon Koinu but the safety of all involved, from the Club’s race-day workforce of more than 8,000 people to front-line racing participants, including jockeys, trainers and stable staff, as well as the welfare of our horses and valued customers are abiding priorities for the Club.
The Club will never create unnecessary risks for Members, Owners and customers as well as Club personnel, including stewards, starters, barrier attendants, stable hands, doctors, veterinarians, clerks of the course and staff from racing, wagering and catering.
Unfortunately, the adverse weather and the hoisting of the No. 8 typhoon signal left us with no option but to cancel the meeting and we plan to seek approval from the Hong Kong SAR Government in accordance with established procedures to hold a replacement meeting.
Last week, I travelled to Buenos Aires in my capacity as International Federation of Horseracing Authorities chairman. While it took 36 hours, including 27 hours flying time, to return to Hong Kong after attending the LONGINES Gran Premio Latinoamericano Raceday, I was impressed by the horsemanship and quality of the racing and facilities in San Isidro, as well as the leadership of new OSAF (South American Organization for the Promotion of Thoroughbreds) Juan Villar Urquiza.
We have had some very successful horses coming from South America in the past and it definitely would be interesting to see the winner of this year’s LONGINES Gran Premio Latinoamericano, Doutor Sureno – who is from Brazil – in Hong Kong.
Thankfully, the departure of Typhoon Koinu means we can look forward to tonight’s (11 October) Happy Valley meeting with anticipation with not only eight competitive races scheduled but also the grand opening ceremony of the Happy Valley Oktoberfest celebrations.
The traditional tapping of the barrel – a Bavarian tradition – will start the night’s festivities in the world-famous beer garden, which will host band performances, stage games, captivating dances and, of course, German food and beer.
The Oktoberfest theme has proved immensely popular in the past and I look forward to experiencing the Beer Garden’s wonderful vibe and entertainment as patrons also enjoy world-class racing in Happy Valley’s unique setting.
Looking ahead, there is a palpable sense of excitement as the first Group 2 race of the season at Sha Tin approaches this Sunday with the running of the HK$5.35 million Sha Tin Trophy (1600m), a race which features the return of G1 winners California Spangle and Russian Emperor as they prepare for LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 10 December.
At Happy Valley tonight, the Class 3 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap is run over 1200m at 10.50pm and carries prize money of HK$1,860,000. The pace is expected to be good to slow.
There is no recognised pacemaker in the race with the pace moderate to good. NOT USUAL STAR was ridden to lead in a recent trial and will go forward from gate four to find the front. ORIENTAL SMOKE and newcomer SWIFT ASCEND should also be in the leading division. AORAKI SUMMIT has drawn widest but will also attempt to race near the speed.
SUGAR SUGAR has a very good record over this course and distance, having won three times. He made his seasonal reappearance when hugging the rails, closing late to just miss the win behind XPONENTIAL on 13 September. SUGAR SUGAR was inconvenienced before the home turn and is a win and place chance with Hugh Bowman taking over tonight.
LIGHTNING BOLT was having his second start this term and was ridden for the first time by Zac Purton when settling midfield in clear running and sprinting quickly down the middle of the course to narrowly beat REWARD SMILE this course and distance two weeks ago. LIGHTNING BOLT is a place chance from his rails draw.
STREET CONQUEROR made sharp improvement when making a winning return to racing, coming from second last early in running to sprint brilliantly in the straight to beat GALVANIC on 20 September. STREET CONQUEROR was a long shot winner then and is rising in class, but is a place chance with Karis Teetan again taking the ride.
GALLANT WAKING has a good record at this course and distance and trialled well ahead of resuming here after some extended time at Conghua. GALLANT WAKING has a good gate and with Vincent Ho aboard, also has place claims.
Of the other runners SWIFT ASCEND is having his first run in Hong Kong. SWIFT ASCEND won on debut in Australia and was second at his two subsequent runs at Canterbury and Moonee Valley and his first up performance will be interesting.
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