As in the past few years, I was in France over the Arc weekend to attend a number of meetings of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities as well as the Asian Racing Federation. Regrettably, this meant I could not be in Japan to give my personal support to Green Birdie and Ultra Fantasy in the Sprinters Stakes, but my Hong Kong colleagues arranged for me to listen to the live race commentary over the phone. Even without visuals, I could tell what an exciting race it was, and I was overjoyed when Ultra Fantasy was confirmed winner.
Having since watched a video replay, I'm sure you'll agree that Alex Lai showed great composure and did an outstanding job in dictating the pace. He became our first home-grown rider to win an International Group 1 race overseas on a home-trained horse, which is a great achievement for Hong Kong racing
Ultra Fantasy is also the fourth Hong Kong horse to notch a major overseas victory in just 18 months, following the successes of Sacred Kingdom, Green Birdie and Joy And Fun in Singapore and Dubai. This surely reflects the credentials and depth of Hong Kong runners in world racing, especially in the turf sprint category. I look forward to seeing this trend continue in the year ahead.
While disappointed to miss the Sprinters' Stakes, I was of course happy to have the opportunity of watch the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe live once again. There is always a great atmosphere at Longchamp for this race and it was thrilling to see Workforce emulate last year's winner Sea The Stars by completing the Epsom Derby and Arc double, as well as witness Goldikova set a new European record in winning her 11th Group 1 title in the Prix de la Foret.
But it's also been a week of hard work in Paris, as the IFHA's International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee meeting last Saturday, at which they agreed to upgrade our Cathay Pacific International Trials to International Group 2 status, subject to formal approval from the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers. This is a welcome endorsement of our continuing efforts to internationalise Hong Kong racing, and we hope this elevated status will attract more overseas runners to use these trials as preparation for the main International Races in December.
On another front, I attended a number of IFHA business meetings while in Paris with colleagues from other racing jurisdictions. This time we had some in-depth discussions on the growth of online gambling and the challenges this will bring to the racing industry. Recent studies have shown that the value of online betting worldwide will increase by 40 per cent in the next three years to reach US$36 billion in 2012, a trend that no racing jurisdiction can afford to overlook. It also means adapting to this fast-evolving environment will be vital in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the racing business.
There was unanimous agreement at our meetings that alternative forms of gambling and new gaming channels through devices such as the iPad and iPhone would create significant competition for the time and money of our racing customers. We discussed how racing operators could capture a fair share of this growing revenue and what we could do keep our racing products attractive and competitive, so as to retain or even grow revenues for the sport.
Meanwhile, I also took this opportunity to meet Philippe Germond, the new President and Director-General of French bookmaking operator PMU. He also shared the same views that online development and a more customer-centric approach being the key future development trends in the global horse racing industry. It shows why we also need to follow the pace and introduce a new set of web improvement measures over the summer.
Many of you have written to me in recent weeks with your views on the new Dual Authentication login method for eWin. I appreciate that some of you will need more time to upgrade to this new method or to get used to using it, so in response to your valuable feedback, my colleagues in the Betting Department have now arranged to extend the migration period to early 2011. This will allow you more time to understand the benefits of this new login method and start using it at your preferred pace.
Tonight at Happy Valley, we will be hosting the first of our popular Oktoberfest race meetings, which means you can enjoy some great German food, beer and special competitions alongside the regular eight-race card. While I was still at Paris earlier today, I have already done my homework and studied the entries for tonight’s card.
In the Ping Kong Handicap, I’m most interested to see if Fun And Fast can earn his first win in Hong Kong since arriving here from England. He comes off a good effort three weeks ago when he finished third in a rapidly run race at the same class, course and distance. Fionn’s Dragon, who shows remarkable improvements at the start of the season, and Soldier, who will return to compete in Class 4 tonight, are likely to provide a strong challenge in this six-furlong race.
In the Po Shek Wu Handicap, My Way steps up again in distance and also moves up in grade to Class 4, but I liked his good determination in his victory at Happy Valley two weeks ago. He will have to be at his best to beat the in-form Ho Wongchoy, who should have the benefit of the box seat from his inside draw, and also the veteran Fat Dragon.
In the Pak Wo Handicap, Sleep Well should once again secure a good position behind a slow tempo and he looks to be in top form now for trainer Tony Millard and jockey Weichong Marwing. This is a horse that finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and after 21 consecutive defeats here in Hong Kong, he will be favoured for a third straight win tonight.
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