The Champions Mile was run back on Sunday and I would say it was one of the best mile races we have ever had in Hong Kong. South African runner Variety Club has become a history maker, being the first overseas runner to win this race – and in fact, he is also the first foreign runner to win an international mile event in Hong Kong in nine years, since Hat Trick in the Hong Kong Mile in 2005. Despite the two-time South African Horse of the Year bringing the unblemished record of Hong Kong milers in this race to an end, I saw it as a tremendous outcome. I hope it will encourage more top class overseas horses to target this race, but in any case it’s good for the sport and good for the racing and breeding industry in South Africa. All of us like to see top class horses winning top class races.
Following Variety Club’s world-class performance I hope we might see him back for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December. The Champions Mile also gave a great lead-in to our Asian Racing Conference this week. With the significant global relevance of the ARC, similar in racing terms to a G8 summit, I think it’s a grand occasion for us and an honour for Hong Kong to be hosting the conference for the third time. Now we are on the second day of the three-day main event, and my focus on the first day was on the session covering the future landscape of wagering, at which I spoke.
Given that over the past few years, we have been doing a lot in different areas to enhance the experience and enjoyment of our customers – with positive results – this is a good opportunity to share our own ideas and pool our knowledge, which may help other jurisdictions. That, after all, is the whole point of a gathering like this – to learn from one another so that the racing industry around the world becomes stronger and more harmonised.
I’m not suggesting for one minute that we have all the answers, and it was good to hear several top executives from other countries sharing their specific experiences too, in wagering markets as diverse as the UK, France and Australia. Unlike almost all other sports, racing has a significant proportion of its income coming from wagering, rather than commercial, broadcasting or ‘match-day’ contributions. That’s why this session described wagering as ‘Racing’s lifeblood’ and why I made the point that we must always be looking for ways to increase turnover in the longer term, to re-invest in prize money, facilities, technology research.
The session on the community impact of horse racing is another one I feel strongly about. One of the proud achievements of the Club, as a not-for-profit organisation, is the very close bonds we have developed with the local community over decades, and what helps to make us one of the most successful operators of this model in the racing industry. It also came as a delight to have the HKSAR’s Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung joining us in the conference. He spoke to the delegates from all over the world about the important role of the Club in the local community, and how we joined hands with government to find solutions to community issues. On this front, we might also mention our role as the city’s largest single tax contributor!
After two days of fascinating meetings, the conference will enter its final day tomorrow. Before then, all visiting delegates are looking forward to enjoying a fun night out at Happy Valley at our Asian Racing Conference race meeting tonight. I can recall the memorable racing experience and wonderful atmosphere in Veliefendi Racecourse, when the last Asian Racing Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey, back in the summer of 2012. Hopefully our visiting guests will enjoy the iconic sights and sounds of our city racetrack tonight.
For the eight races on the card, for sure the highlight will go to the Asian Racing Federation Trophy (Handicap), a Class 2 run over 1650m, as in Race 6. From a low barrier Fat Choy Hong Kong should go forward but will be pressed by Business As Usual who is likely to lead. The former horse is likely to ease into the box seat. Beauty Lead, First Sight Love and Lucky Double Eight should be well placed with Royal Partner is at risk to be kept wide. Winnie's Horse and Classic Jewellery as well as Ho In One and Noble Deluxewill settle at the rear early. Lucky Double Eight is working very well and is my first choice, followed by Fat Choy Hong Kong especially for its good draw. Noble Deluxe has to come from the rear but he has a place chance for me, while Winnie's Horse is another runner which I can see to run a place.
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