I have been the Club’s CEO for a number of years now and this has given me the opportunity, through different Club-sponsored projects, to regularly engage with the community, meeting with various community leaders and local people to the extent that I have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of the different districts within Hong Kong. I always find it a pleasant and informative experience when I meet and talk with different members of the public, and see how various Club projects meet their needs.
The Club has always taken a prominent role in the local community, and we work closely with the 18 Districts to strengthen communication at all levels and co-operate on projects that can build a better Hong Kong. That’s why I would say that the Club and the community are inseparable. Our main facilities and major developments like racecourses, public riding schools, hospitals and clinics, sports arenas, stadia and parks, have not only become some of Hong Kong’s major landmarks and leisure attractions in their respective districts, also they have all emerged and evolved as part of those communities and the wider Hong Kong community. These Jockey Club projects have in many districts developed in a way that they are now in fact a positive part of the community identity.
In our 6th 18 Districts Cup Day tomorrow we again have an opportunity to be together with our many friends and working partners at the community-level from the different districts. This day endorses the close working relationship between us. Making it extra special this year, we have added a new feature race to the day - Hong Kong: Our Home Cup. The race has been inaugurated to show our support for the government’s “Hong Kong: Our Home” campaign. One of the targets of this campaign is to make Hong Kong a more caring city - the same aspiration shared by the Club in many of our community and charity projects over the years. I hope all top government officials, legislators and district councillors who join us for the race meeting will have a great time and enjoy the entertainment on course tomorrow.
I know that racing fans always enjoy the opportunity to watch exciting and competitive horseracing, regardless of whether it’s local racing or a major event overseas. Last week we simulcast the Japanese Derby. It was the first time that we broadcast the Japanese classic race live to Hong Kong and it was very well received by racing fans. Apart from the turnover, what impressed me the most is the sentiment that world-class overseas racing is really welcomed and enjoyed here in Hong Kong.
This weekend we have more exciting racing action from Japan to offer. I know that the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse tomorrow is always popular with Hong Kong fans, especially when we have Hong Kong runners in the field. I just arrived in Tokyo for the event to watch our two in-form milers contest the race, namely Champions Mile runner-up Helene Spirit and Stewards’ Cup winner Glorious Days. Reports this week suggest that both horses have done well in Japan this past week and look to be in good condition. There is expected to be some rain here in Tokyo today and tomorrow so possibly the track will be a bit affected by that. I know that Helene Spirit’s rider Gerald Mosse has said that any rain might help his horse while Glorious Days’ trainer John Size has stated he would prefer it to stay dry. Hopefully they will handle whatever conditions we have on the day and perform to their top level tomorrow.
Apart from Japan, we will also bring you live classic race action from Europe tonight and tomorrow evening. Racing fans can witness two three-year-olds attain the top Derby honours in England and France, in the G1 Derby at Epsom and G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly respectively. So make sure you don’t miss the action and stay tuned for the broadcasts on Saturday evening and Sunday evening.
In the Investec Derby, Dawn Approach will start as the race favourite and the main question is if he can stay the distance. The chance should be good as this horse is sired by New Approach, who is a son of Galileo, and himself also being successful over the derby distance. His main opponents are Battle Of Marengo who has a strong form up to 2000m but should stay the extra distance, as well as Ocovango being by the outstanding sire of German stayer Monsun and trained by Andre Fabre. Ruler Of The World is at least a place chance having won impressively a G3 in Chester over the derby distance by six lengths.
And for the 10 races at Sha Tin,the Fresh Hong Kong Handicap is a competitive Class 2 over 1600m in which some four-year-old horses bought with Hong Kong Derby ambitions will run against proven Class 2 horses. The pace is expected to be good to slow and Real Supreme will try to overcome his wide draw by going forward together with Blazing Speed, Happy Era and possibly Winning Leader who will follow him to improve from their wide draws. Blazing Speed is in very good form and despite the draw is my favourite, with Happy Era who is looking better in condition. Genki Twins is fit and working well and I would not be surprised if he is able to beat both! Vital Gold is a place chance for me going up in class but he should be a horse with further potential!
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