Last month I told you about our support for the Community Soccer for Hope project. Through a series of 5-a-side soccer tournaments, we hope to engage disadvantaged people and steer them towards a new life. Well I'm happy to tell you that after receiving training under this Club programme and several rounds of competition, the players for the HK Homeless Soccer team have been selected and they will soon be on their way to Glasgow in the UK to compete for the Homeless World Cup.
One of the most impressive stories we shared at the press conference was of Koon Chung. Once a drug addict, he explained how football had completely transformed his life. He's also made a lot of new friends. His mother was full of praise for the power of football which she says has given her back her son. Although Koon Chung is not participating in this year's Homeless World Cup, I'm sure he would join us in wishing the HK team the best of luck in Glasgow.
It has been a very entertaining sporting week for me so far as my home team Germany played their second Euro group match against Poland on Thursday. Die Mannschaft created some decent goal scoring chances in the match, but they could not get any real advantage or a goal from the resilient Polish defense and the match ended in a goalless draw. On racing we also had some great racing action at Happy Valley on Wednesday and our simulcasts from Royal Ascot continued in earnest.
The barnstorming win of American mare Tepin in the Queen Anne, and the victory of Galileo Gold in the battle of Guineas winners in the St James's Palace Stakes, are two of the highlights in this year's meeting. Lady Aurelia's seven-length win in the Queen Mary on Wednesday was scintillating, looking as though she was running on firm ground the way she quickened away from her rivals. Unfortunately, our Hong Kong Cup winner A Shin Hikari was a disappointment and could not find his form which he exhibited with such power in France a few weeks ago. I was a bit concerned by his appearance before the race as he simply did not have his usual vigour. His back form is dotted with a few blemishes and I hope he can return to his best in the future.
Today features the final day of the royal meeting and I will make a very short visit to Ascot today for the featured G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes to support Gold-Fun. This Richard Gibson trainee has been well proven at top level – having finished second in our HKIR for the past three years. His ability on the yielding going is a bit of an unknown but it is great to see him take his chance. Let's see if he has a breakthrough tonight!
Tomorrow at Sha Tin we will also host the final two pattern races of our season, the Premier Cup and Premier Plate. It will also mark the first for our popular apprentice jockey Kei Chiong, as she will make her pattern race debut in Hong Kong with Divine Boy in the Cup and Top Act in the Plate. She will not be eligible for the seven-pound apprentice claim, but it will be interesting to see if she can make an instant impact in her first group race appearance here.
A small field has been assembled for the HKG3 Premier Plate, a handicap over 1,800 metres. The race appears to be a tactical one with a fairly slow pace. Romantic Touch is likely to go forward and Top Act could sit in the box seat under the lightweight, or potentially lead. Helene Happy Star, Flame Hero and Secret Weapon are all potentials to slot in midfield with Gun Pit and Helene Paragon likely to come from the rear of the field. Helene Paragon is my main win and place chance here as he should get a clean passage and Joao Moreira can navigate a comfortable trip. His last two well-beaten performances came in bigger fields with wide barriers and that will not be a problem here. Romantic Touch and Top Act are both placing chances for me given the tactical edge they might hold.
In the Premier Cup, a handicap over 1,400 metres, the pace should be solid with Dashing Fellow likely to go forward as is his normal position. Rewarding Hero should be close and Dundonnell won't be too far behind either, especially following the scratchings of Beauty Flame and Domineer. Sun Jewellery should get a lovely trip and is close to perfect at this distance. He has been a regular at trackwork since his last race and has trialed well. The weight break will also be a big advantage for him, and he is the likeliest winner for me. Giant Treasure will have to carry topweight but should enjoy the strong early tempo while Packing Pins's consistency is also quite attractive. Both are solid placing chances.
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