Douglas Whyte was the star athlete during our HKJC Community Trophy day at Sha Tin racecourse last Sunday. He was almost unstoppable as he rode his first four-timer of the season that afternoon. Meanwhile, on the charity side, medical and health was the day’s theme, so it came as no surprise that many of our 200 guests attending the races that day were from the local medical and healthcare sectors.
When we first put forward the details of the occasion, we also announced our decision to donate HK$253 million to the Hospital Authority, for the launching of the Jockey Club Inpatient Facilities Modernisation Scheme. The sum, which represents the single largest donation we’ve made to the Hospital Authority, will be used to install over 520 ceiling hoists and 6,000 electrically-operated beds in various public hospitals. We believe this new equipment is necessary for those highly dependent patients, providing them with a safer and more comfortable environment, and enabling them to receive their treatment with greater dignity. Healthcare workers at public hospitals will also benefit from the strengthening of occupational safety and efficiency – this better equipment will of course mean less chance of injury due to lifting and bending.
The Club’s many contributions in the community aren’t just confined to the public health services sector. Last Saturday morning, as part of our Elderly Visit Programme with rural body Heung Yee Kuk, some Club and Kuk volunteers and I made a visit to the rural village of San Tin in Yuen Long District, bringing warmth to those elderly people living in remote villages. I always endeavour to know and experience more about the history of the New Territories, as well as the valuable customs and the daily lives of those who are living in local rural villages. That’s why I felt so delighted about the visit, as it was the first time since I moved to Hong Kong some 16 years ago that I had visited a rural village. It was humbling to receive such a warm and very kind reception from the villagers, and their responses were particularly rapturous when I used Cantonese to introduce myself and when I was giving my short speech there!
While I was in the village, I also had the chance to meet some elderly people who are now living in an elderly care home there. Among them were two ladies who are now in their 90s.
I was particularly interested as they both wore bracelets and earrings and looked to be quite trendy. I praised their style and told them their earrings and bracelets were “ho ling”, meaning very beautiful in Cantonese. Actually I think that they did not look older than if they were in their 70s! Later I was told by the villagers that both of them had actually lived in England for decades but they decided to return to Hong Kong years ago and spend the rest of their lives in their home villages. I feel happy to have met these two very cheerful ladies and other elderlies and I wish them greater longevity and happiness for years to come.
Apart from meeting these older residents, I was also invited by the village representatives to visit the renowned Tai Fu Tai Mansion nearby. It’s a declared monument in San Tin area with nearly 150 years of history, and the Club had provided funds to support its refurbishment work back in 1988. It’s intriguing to see such a historical Chinese building, feeling the decor and experiencing the setting inside. In all I enjoyed the whole visit very much and I would be pleased to have the chance to meet more people and visit more rural places when similar opportunities come in the future.
After such a good experience in the rural area, I’m sure I will get equal enjoyment from the races at Happy Valley tonight, which will also feature our Easter Comes to the Valley party. For the eight races on the card, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union Cup is the sporting highlight of the evening and this Class 1 1650m event is run as Race 7. The race has attracted six four-year-olds among the 11 starters. The pace is expected to be good to slow with only a few on-pace runners and a bunch of horses usually settle behind midfield. Beauty Flame should have no problem to lead with Flame Hero being able to get across from Gate 10. With Douglas Whyte on board, he will be my favourite in this race. He is working well and was placed before over course and distance which is an advantage for him. Secret Sham is working well too but has not had any previous experience at Happy Valley, but he is still a place chance for me. Ho In One was not ridden as well as you could expect from a world class jockey in Gerald Mosse last time, and he is a place chance for me tonight. Lucky Double Eight is coming back to what I think it is a better distance for him and here he will be a place chance too.
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