In a few hours, the sun will set one final time on 2011 and perhaps amidst spectacular pyrotechnics, communal singing, dancing and much laughter, many of us will take a moment to reflect upon the past year before looking ahead to the promise that awaits us in 2012. Each year’s end is synonymous with a notion of “out with the old, in with the new” and while I’m excited for what the new year will bring, I think it’s important to remember that much of what we at the Jockey Club hope will come to fruition in 2012 has been built upon foundations that were laid in 2011 and before.
In September we unveiled our Racecourse Master Plan and I’m optimistic this will prove to be a positive development for Hong Kong racing and Hong Kong as a whole. We are now in the second of the plan’s three phases that will ensure sustainability of the Club’s business and generate surplus to fulfil our community and charitable missions.
A HK$1.62 billion charitable contribution to the Hong Kong community in 2010/11 emphasises the Club’s continued commitment to meeting local needs, particularly those of the underprivileged, by developing sports, promoting family values and healthy living, cultivating arts and culture, and advancing education. One of the year’s highlights for me is always the HKJC Community Day race meeting at Sha Tin. At the 2011 event, our Chairman Brian Stevenson announced a HK$212 million donation to 52 partner agencies under the Community Project Grant. Through this scheme, we have now donated over HK$620 million since 2005 to support dozens of small local welfare projects that would not be able to qualify for public funding.
I must say, I wish that life was such that we would never need to utilise the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund. But when such dire events occur, the fund is there to provide rapid assistance, and we saw that in the wake of the tragic Mong Kok fire in Fa Yuen Street last month. In the past 12 months, over HK$5 million were allocated through the JCERF. As CEO, I am proud of the role the Club plays in the community and humbled by the dedication of those who volunteer their time and energy.
In 2011, racing fans showed their continued and increasing support for overseas race simulcasts and the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races, and I anticipate a continuation of that in 2012. It is my hope that on the back of this, 2012 will see us being able to offer commingled pools in Hong Kong. It would be great for our sport if racing operators in the industry worldwide could extend their co-operation and create a new global synergy.
Think back to Dubai last spring and Japan in the autumn: Dynamic Blitz took the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint in fine style at Meydan, while Lucky Nine went so close in the G2 Centaur Stakes at Hanshin. At the CXHKIR on 11 December, Lucky Nine led home a Hong Kong 1-2-3-4 in the CXHK Sprint, Able One took the CXHK Mile, California Memory landed the CXHK Cup and Thumbs Up ran second in the CXHK Vase to give us our best ever result at Hong Kong’s flagship global occasion. It’s easy to see why racing fans are increasingly interested in wagering internationally and it is that interest that helped push turnover for the 2011 CXHKIR day to HK$1.24 billion, which you may recall was the highest since 1998.
As I mentioned at the end of last season, 2011 represented a changing of the guard and California Memory’s CXHK Cup win epitomised that - an emerging new hero of the track piloted by home grown local rider Matthew Chadwick, a product of our successful Apprentice Jockeys’ School.
The past year saw some old favourites like Viva Pataca and Good Ba Ba step aside as new stars began their ascent. Leading the charge of the new brigade through 2011 was Ambitious Dragon, who lifted the Horse Of The Year crown thanks to brilliant wins that included the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup. We also said goodbye to retiring trainer Alex Wong and welcomed Richard Gibson, who has made a good start to his Hong Kong career.
Some things don’t change, though, and 2011 saw Douglas Whyte win the jockeys’ title for the 11th time in a row. Meanwhile, in an exciting race for the 2010/11 trainers’ title, John Moore and Tony Cruz took the contest right to the wire. It was John who prevailed, as he won four of the season’s final six races to pip Tony 74 wins to 72. That was his first championship since the 1994/95 season.
It is also worth mentioning that 2011 concludes with an exciting technological innovation that will enhance our customers’ mobile betting experience. Launched this week, and simply requiring Wi-Fi or 3G internet connection, the free Mobile Betting Service Android App supports racing, football and Mark Six bets and results, and enables instant fund transfers between customers’ betting and bank accounts. Simply touching the HKJC app icon on your compatible Android phone or Android Tablet opens a window to comprehensive information and wagering on the go. This follows the launch of our very popular I-phone App earlier in the year.
Now, as we conclude 2011, let me remind you all that a bright 2012 dawns in fitting manner with an exciting 11-race card at Sha Tin on 1 January when the feature contest is the HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup run as a handicap over 1400m.
The race has attracted a top class field and it is interesting to see the clash of horses that competed in the CXHKIR like Beauty Flash, Sichuan Success, Admiration and Fat Choy Oohlala facing off against upcoming stars such as Captain Sweet and Longwah Supreme. The pace is expected to be fast with Leading City and Aashiq expected to lead, which would give horses like Sichuan Success and Fat Choy Oohlala a better chance to come from the back of the field. Beauty Flash from gate 2 should be just behind the leaders; he has a stiff task with the burden of topping the handicap, but although it will not be easy to give away weight, he is still a good place chance for me. Captain Sweet and Admiration should have ideal trips on or near the rail and both are working very well. For me, they are the horses to beat and I believe that Captain Sweet has an advantage in that he did not compete in the Internationals where the form of horses normally peaks! Sichuan Success should come with a strong run from the back for a place. Longwah Surpreme for his new stable has a tough task from gate 9 as he will need to show very fast speed to find a good position in the front of the field, but tackling 1400m for the first time should suit him and he has a place chance.
The Tai Mo Shan Handicap, a Class 2 over 1600m, features one of the most exciting of the 4 year old Classic Generation horses in HK, Fay Fay. The pace looks good to slow, which should give Fay Fay a chance to go forward from his gate 14 and secure a place in the front. Fay Fay has run fantastic last 400m sectional times of 22'17 and 22'32 seconds, which will make him very difficult to beat. Dragon Fighter should be in a good position close behind the leaders Just Fantastic and Helene Witty, and is a good place chance from gate 1. Real Supreme is a good 4 year old from the International Sale and off his light weight of 109 pounds he will receive 23 pounds from Fay Fay. Real Supreme has shown that he can run good last 400m sectional times, his best time being 22.24 seconds; for me he has a good place chance and is the main danger to Fay Fay. Semos has potential and could show up for a place but the worry with him is his lack of consistency.
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
Comment
