I'm utterly surprised to see that even some overseas racing fans in Canada and England are giving me their comments and feedback. Once again, I have to give my thanks to all of you, as your valuable suggestions will undoubtedly help us set our direction of development, and ensure that we can provide you with even better services in future.
Among the feedback from both overseas and local racing fans, some have said they hope the Club will arrange more simulcasts of overseas races to Hong Kong. We would love to commingle with Canada and English and are in discussions with them. However, the double taxation of the bets is a real problem and needs more time to sort out.
And, that's exactly what we have been seeking from the government for a long time, as we believe this will benefit our racing fans and let them follow the running of top horses worldwide.
I'm pleased to say you will all have a chance to watch the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Hong Kong in the near future, as the Club will simulcast the race from Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on the evening of 7 October.
Before that, though, another notable race that we cannot simulcast was Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot that held last night (4:20 pm UK time). With Ramonti, who ran third in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile last December, competed against some of the other best milers in Europe.
Partnered by leading jockey Frankie Dettori – a friend of mine for 15 years – Ramonti has already given an eye-catching performance with two Group One wins earlier this year: the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot in June and the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in August. His outstanding performance this year has once again proved the quality of the Hong Kong International Races.
It strikes me that if the Club were given the chance to simulcast the QEII Stakes in Hong Kong, our fans would be able to watch Ramonti in action, and this would provide a very good form guide should the Godolphin stable decide to send the horse to the Hong Kong International Races once again, later this year.
Local racing fans will not need to wait so long before they can review the latest form of Hong Kong's own top horses, as two Group Three lead-up races for December's international event – the National Day Cup and Sha Tin Sprint Trophy – will be held at our National Day race meeting tomorrow.
Caspar Fownes-trained The Duke, who beat Ramonti in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile last year, is going to have his first run this season in the National Day Cup, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in this 1,400 metre race after the summer break.
As for tomorrow's card, for Triple Trio fans, horses that have drawn my attention are Dragon Inn (No. 11) in Race 4; King Creole (No. 9) in Race 5 and Galbraith (No. 8) in Race 6. Meanwhile, in the two fascinating races, I see an upcoming star "Sacred Kingdom" should show a great performance in Sha Tin Sprint Trophy and in the National Day Cup, "Egyptian Ra" should give a good showing.
Comment
