With the memories of Hong Kong, China’s spectacular 2024 Olympic Games achievements still vivid, our attention has now returned to Paris for the Paralympic Games, where our athletes are also determined to do Hong Kong proud.
Inspired by the deeds of Vivian Kong, Edgar Cheung, Siobhan Haughey and other top athletes in Paris last month, Chan Yui-lam has reprised Hong Kong’s “Can-Do” and “Play-To-Win” spirit with a silver medal in the women’s S14 butterfly 100m final with a time of 1m 03.70s – clipping 0.3 of a second off her own Asian record.
At only 20, Yui-lam is already one of our most decorated athletes, having won eight medals – three gold, four silver and one bronze – at the past two Asian Games and there will be further opportunities in Paris to showcase her talents in the pool during the swimming programme.
She has shown tremendous determination since competing in Tokyo and to finish second in the butterfly in her best personal time is a fantastic achievement.
I was also impressed with the effort of swimmer Ng Cheuk-yan, who is just 14 – and the youngest athlete competing in the Paralympics from the Hong Kong Team – to finish sixth in the women’s 200m Individual Medley SM6 in her first Paralympics and beat her personal best.
As a staunch supporter of sports development in Hong Kong, the Club is delighted to see a delegation of 23 Hong Kong athletes represented in eight events. We fondly remember the Hong Kong team clinching five medals, including two silver and three bronze, at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Since then, the Club has increased cash incentives under the Jockey Club Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme (JCAIAS) by 87.5% for both teams and individuals in Paris to reward the dedication and achievements. The same percentage increase is being applied across the board, to medallists and athletes who finish in fourth to eighth positions in the Paralympics.
Accordingly, Yui-lam will receive HK$750,000 for her amazing swim and Cheuk-yan will be awarded an incentive of HK$93,750. Also, with JCAIAS rewards lined up are boccia players Cheung Yuen and Yeung Hiu-lam, who will be competing in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Individual BC4 and BC2 on Sunday. I wish them the best of luck.
The Club, riding on its unique integrated business model, is committed to encouraging everyone to become more engaged with sport. Whether as a spectator or as an active participant and preferably both, we can all take heart from Hong Kong’s “Can-Do spirit’ as so brilliantly demonstrated by our Paralympic and Olympic athletes.
Our World Pool programme continues on Sunday (1 September) with the simulcast of 12 races from Pacific Classic Day, Grosser Preis von Baden Day and Prix Gerald de Geoffre Day.
The first of the races to be simulCast from Del Mar Racecourse is carded as S1-1 and is run at 8.39am. The feature race is the G1 Pacific Classic, which is carded as S1-2 and will be run over 2000m on dirt at 9.13am.
With the scratching of ADARE MANOR, REINCARNATE can press forward and potentially set a fast tempo and is a place chance.
DR. VENKMAN is my first choice as a win and place chance. The four-year-old has three wins from five starts, most recently winning at Group 2 level.
Trainer John Sadler has won four of the past six Pacific Classics and he saddles FULL SERRANO, who is a place chance. The Argentine import was impressive when winning on debut in the United States of America last start, although he will need to improve again. REINCARNATE is also a place chance.
Our attention then turns to Baden Baden Racecourse in Germany, where the first of five races is carded as S2-1 and is run at 6.45pm. The G1 Grosser Preis von Baden is run over 2400m on turf at 9pm and is carded S2-5.
This year’s edition features a clash of two European stars, three-time Group 1-winning DUBAI HONOUR, who I make my top selection, and FANTASTIC MOON.
DUBAI HONOUR won the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud two starts ago and he can bounce back from defeat last time at Ascot. He is a tough stayer, who has shown he has what it takes at this level.
FANTASTIC MOON is a classy four-year-old and is also a win and place chance. He continues to develop and gets a good opportunity to win his first Group 1 after twice finishing second at Group 1.
TUNNES has performed admirably in a Japan Cup and is a Group 1 winner in Germany, where his recent form is solid, finishing behind FANTASTIC MOON in June. He is expected to lead this race comfortably and may prove difficult to catch. He is a place chance.
The third feature meeting on Sunday comes from ParisLongchamp in France, with the first of four races carded as S3-1 and run at 9.25pm. The G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre is run over 3000m on turf at 11.10pm and is carded as S3-4.
The Prix Gerald de Geoffre, formerly known as the Prix de Lutece, is restricted to three-year-old horses, and my top selection is SHAMARKAND, who has been very good since returning in April, winning at Lyon Parilly, Craon and Vichy, each time over 2400m. He has indicated that the extra distance should not be a problem on Sunday.
Andre Fabre has won this race nine times, and he will saddle HAMAVI, who appears to be relishing getting over further. His latest victory at Clairefontaine was full of merit and I also make him a win and place chance.
CHARTWELL has race experience on his side, although he was defeated by HAMAVI last start. I think he can run well, having placed second first-up in July.
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