Guess what, I'm writing this from the north-eastern Chinese city of Dalian, where I'm just getting ready to head back to Hong Kong for tomorrow's race meeting. Some of you might imagine that I've been here to enjoy the city's famous architectural heritage, but actually I was representing the Club at a special ceremony yesterday morning for the handover of 24 retired racehorses that we've donated to the Mounted Women Police Unit of the Dalian Public Security Bureau.
Each year, hundreds of racehorses are retired from their racing careers in Hong Kong. Some of them receive further training and eventually become equestrian horses or lead horses at the Club, while others are sent to riding schools either in Hong Kong or on the Mainland for leisure riding purposes. The Club is honoured to become an equestrian partner of the Mounted Police Unit here since 2000, as it has not only offered us an additional option for accommodating our retired racehorses, but also given them a chance to take up a second useful career.
More than 70 retired racehorses in total have previously been sent to the Mounted Police of this beautiful port city over the years. Adding in the latest shipment of 24 horses in late March, the Club's donations have hit the 100 mark.
Usually partnered by women officers, these retired horses perform various patrol duties in the city and have become popular icons among both locals and tourists in Dalian. I'd like to express my gratitude to the Mainland authorities involved for the great care they take of these horses. I was delighted this week to see how well they've settled into their new home and community.
Here at home in Hong Kong, the Club has also been closely involved in local community affairs for more than a century. In recent months, we've made further efforts to join hands with Hong Kong's 18 District Councils in organising various community projects and activities to promote the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong. As a responsible corporate member of the Hong Kong community, the Club has always viewed the 18 Districts as essential partners at community level.
This is why we have decided to stage the "18 Districts Cup" at tomorrow's race meeting at Sha Tin. This inaugural event is intended to salute and acknowledge the 18 Districts' enormous contributions to Hong Kong's community affairs. We hope the Club and the District Councils can build even closer and longer-term relationships in future.
Though I've been in Dalian, I haven't forgot to study the form and past performances of runners taking part in tomorrow's 11 races. I'm looking forward to seeing the performances of Profiting Champion and Tan Tat Baby. Profiting Champion defeated promising runner Warrior in his maiden win and had a dead-heat finish with his stablemate Always Giggle three weeks ago. I'm interested to see if he can maintain his great form and produce another good performance tomorrow. Tan Tat Baby has already won twice and finished third in his past three appearances at 1,400-metres this season. There's no doubt he's a seven-furlong specialist and let's see if he can get his third win at the same distance tomorrow.
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