We hosted our first Happy Valley daytime race meeting of the season last Sunday and, looking at the betting turnover and attendance figures, I'm encouraged to see that it's so popular amongst all of you.
I'm equally delighted with the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup Mile from the US earlier that day. Although some people might view the HK$3.7 million betting turnover on this simulcast race as being low, I look on it as being quite a satisfactory and acceptable response, considering that the race was held at 3:20 in the morning and this was the first time a Breeders Cup race had been simulcast to racing fans in Hong Kong.
If the government allows us to simulcast a couple of other races from the Breeders' Cup programme and other major overseas Group One races for sporting entertainment purposes, this will surely assist our racing public to better follow the performance and forms of top overseas horses, and to appreciate the quality of horseracing in Hong Kong.
By the way, Kip Deville and Excellent Art, who have both been nominated for our Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, snatched a one-two finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Kip Deville now has the chance to snap up a US$1 million bonus if he also wins the Hong Kong Mile, while Excellent Art's trainer Aidan O'Brien remains unbowed by the narrow defeat and has reconfirmed his interest in sending the 3-year-old colt for the Hong Kong Mile. I would personally love to see the horse emerging even stronger from this tough race, and coming to Hong Kong to avenge his defeat.
Apart from our fascinating Sunday races, I've been thrilled by the positive support you have all shown towards Phantom of the Races, our first-ever themed race night for Halloween. I could hardly believe it when I was told that pre-booking for the Glamourween party at adrenaline, our stylish cocktail venue at Happy Valley Racecourse, was sold out soon after booking opened. I hope all those joining the party will have a good time and a memorable evening there.
Those who have missed the chance to join the party need not to be too disappointed, though. When you come racing tonight, do join the special parade to be held at Paddock at 6:30pm, where our Executive Director of Racing Mr William A Nader will join our jockeys and some rather spooky characters to welcome you all to this very special race night.
I mentioned recently that we have just finished renovating our Beer Garden at Happy Valley. If you come to the races in festive Halloween costume or make-up, or cast your vote for the most popular race name of the night, you may get the chance to win a free pint of beer !!. So don't miss this opportunity.
Our special festive programs will only be held at adrenaline, the Beer Garden and the Racing Club, so those racing fans who wish to focus more on the races at other areas will not be distracted.
On the track tonight, I'll be looking out for Sohna, whose recent trackwork has caught my eye, as well as Dim Sum - he went into a lot of notebooks when he finished off strongly from back in the field at this course and distance two weeks ago. Not only the horse, dim sum has always been my favourite Chinese food. Among those Chinese restaurants I have visited these years, I would say Zen, at the Pacific Place in Admiralty, is the one that I would recommend you to try.
Anyway, see you there at the racecourse and I wish you lots of fun tonight!
Comment
