Although there was not any race meeting arranged on Wednesday, giving everybody a midweek break from racing, it has still been a very eventful week of sport, including on the football side. I watched the highlights of two pulsating matches from the English League Cup, with Arsenal recovering from being 0-4 down to beat Reading 7-5 after extra time on Tuesday. Then Chelsea enjoyed sweet revenge for their dramatic league defeat to Manchester United last weekend, with a 5-4 comeback win on Wednesday night.
It’s unfortunate that no local TV channels broadcast these two matches this time, but I believe many like me who reviewed the match highlights via different multimedia channels would have been amazed with the goal fest, as well as these score-lines that read like a tennis match or baseball game.
In local football, I know veteran fans for many years considered multiple champions South China FC to be the comeback kings, as in their history there were many occasions when they fought back to win despite trailing early in matches. Certainly the team now continues to be one of the prominent forces in local football scene.
The team’s parent sports club, the South China Athletic Association (SCAA), has more than a century of history, and is one of the oldest sports clubs in Hong Kong. Currently it offers dozens of sports to its members, and I believe some of you will have no doubt made the most of its affordable charges to visit and engage in different sports activities there yourselves.
With the Association located at Caroline Hill, it is the Jockey Club’s long-time neighbour in the Happy Valley area, and most of the facilities in its complex were built almost 60 years ago. As a keen supporter of sports development in Hong Kong, we are delighted to partner with SCAA in providing better sports training facilities to benefit tens of thousands of people, both general public and SCAA members, and encourage them to participate in different sports. That’s why we announced last week the funding of HK$126 million, through the HKJC Charities Trust, for the renovation of the SCAA complex.
The renovation will last for 48 months and upon its completion, there will be an artificial turf pitch with covered stand, an enhanced golf driving range, indoor multi-purpose sports hall and Hong Kong’s first indoor beach volleyball court. The SCAA has been the starting point and centre for excellence for many elite sports personalities in Hong Kong over the years. Hopefully this renovation will provide even better conditions and facilities in which Hong Kong’s aspiring young sports stars can flourish. Of equal importance, it will also help ease the shortage of pitches and sports facilities in the local community. This important venue that does so much to nurture local sports talent will be able to offer enhanced participation across the social spectrum and further promote sport for the public well-being.
Speaking of sport, let’s get back to racing. Tomorrow’s races at Sha Tin will give us the opportunity to watch a couple of sensational young talents of our own. Most prominently, the Broadwood Handicap, a Class 2 1000m event, features some promising young speedsters such as Amber Sky, Mentor, Bear Hero and Charles The Great. I’m sure it will be a very absorbing race.
With an extended rating band of 105 to 80, it gives horse who normally would have to run in a Class 1 a chance to take part as long as their rating is not higher than 105. Vital Flyer who has a rating of 104 took this option and is a two-time winner of this course and distance. The expected pace should be good to fast, with Amber Sky likely to lead, while Nordic One and five other on-pace runners sitting just behind him. The straight course normally favours horses positioned on the grandstand side, which I think Bear Hero and Vital Flyer could both be benefitted. Amber Sky is working extremely well and is in my opinion back to his best. He will be the horse to beat. Vital Flyer is always a danger at this distance, as it does for Bear Hero.
The last race of the day run as Caroline Hill Handicap is a Class 2 over 1800m. It’s expected to be run at a good pace which should give every horse a good chance to show its ability. Shiny Day, Super Pistachio and Aomen are likely to lead, with Hot Shot and Crackerjack positioned behind them. Same World and Bubble Chic should find good positions behind midfield, with Percy Jackson slightly before them. Same World is working well and is for me a win and place chance, as is Bubble Chic who ran well in Happy Valley and is in my opinion better suited to Sha Tin with stepping up in distance. I think it will help his chances. Aomen is working well and should not be underestimated as well as Percy Jackson as last time winner.
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