To many people in Hong Kong, and even to friends overseas, the Club is best known for its status as one of the world’s most successful racing and sporting entertainment operators, and as the largest charity contributor in Hong Kong. But I believe relatively few would be aware that we are also one of the oldest membership clubs in Asia, serving our privileged Members since 1884.
Currently, we have more than 20,000 Club Members. They can enjoy a great variety of hospitality and catering services at our two racecourses, and our three local clubhouses at Happy Valley, Sha Tin and Beas River. The opening of our Beijing Clubhouse, located in the Wangfujing District, in 2008 also helped us extend our membership services beyond the territory, providing our Members with a “home away from home” experience when they are making business or leisure trips to the capital.
More unique choices and experiences are also available to our Club Members. For those who love to savour good food can find satisfaction as the Club’s top chefs regularly launch exciting seasonal menus, and guest chef programmes offer Members exclusive gourmet experiences from around the world. Furthermore, Club Members and their families can seek the fun and enjoyment of riding on horse back in the Beas River Country Club – the place where houses the largest leisure riding operation and facilities in Hong Kong.
We will continue to strive for excellence in these fields, and I can assure you that we will offer more superb membership services and programmes in the future. From the other sense, it should never be forgotten that our Members have played a crucial role in making the Club what it is today. At our Sha Tin race meeting tomorrow, we will be staging the annual Members’ Day, which provides us with an opportunity to strengthen our bond with the membership and thank them for their continued support. We organise special on-course activities for the Members and their families and reward their loyalty with a special door gift, which this year is an exquisite, limited edition badge holder. Last year our Members Stand attendance for this event exceeded 10,000, which is very encouraging.
Also in the spotlight on Sunday will our recently retired champion Viva Pataca, who be given a special farewell ceremony in Parade Ring after Race 4. So I hope you will all come along to say goodbye to this wonderful horse, who has brought so much pleasure to our racing fans over the past six years, as well as bringing honour to Hong Kong racing.
In the day’s main event, the Members Cup, I think it’s a very competitive 1,000m race. The expected pace should be fast but after the heavy rain we had earlier this week, I suggest you to first observe the runners’ performances over the same distance in Race 1. But usually, runners who compete near the grandstand side of the track will enjoy a slight advantage. Eagle Regiment and Space Race are the horses to beat in this event, but with the higher draw of 9, I will be in favour of the chance of Eagle Regiment more. Share Of Gold is a good upcoming horse who can challenge the two leading contenders, while in-form runner Supreme Taiji has the ability to beat them all.
Please don't forget we will also bring you two overseas simulcast races tomorrow, namely the G1 Takarazuka Kinen from Hanshin Racecourse in Japan during tomorrow's meeting, and the G1 Irish Derby from The Curragh later in the evening. Both races will be simulcast to Hong Kong for the first time.
The Takarazuka Kinen is Japan's springtime grand prix race, and the line up will include reigning Japanese Horse of the Year Buena Vista. She’s one of my favourite race horses who always comes with a strong run from the back of the field. But with the expected slow pace in this 2200m race, it will be a disadvantage for this super mare. I think she still have a good chance to get a top-three finish, but for me she will have to first to beat Rulership, who’s back in form after his slight disappointing performance in the Dubai Sheema Classic back in March.
As for the Irish Derby, it will feature several notable three-year-olds who performed well at the Epsom Derby earlier this month, such as Treasure Beach, Memphis Tennessee and Queen Elizabeth's promising horse Carlton House. But they will have to fend off Irish 2000 Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor, trained by prolific Irishman Aidan O'Brien, who amazingly is bidding for his sixth consecutive win in this classic – all with different horses, of course.
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