I was in Beijing for the last two days on business and so happened it was the commencement of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Probably like all of you in Hong Kong, I was most delighted to hear Premier Wen Jiabao's pledge that the central government would spare no effort to help Hong Kong counter the economic hardship brought by the financial crisis, and measures would be introduced to support Hong Kong enterprises on the mainland.
At the Jockey Club Beijing Clubhouse where I was staying, I actually bumped into a lot of the political and commercial leaders from Hong Kong. It was most encouraging that they were all very complimentary about our offerings including facilities, services, as well as food & beverage quality. I was so glad that in less than a year since its opening, our Clubhouse in Beijing had already built up a strong reputation not only in providing superb services to our members but also offered Hong Kong leaders a stage for hosting their important functions. We are glad to be able to contribute to the positioning of Hong Kong in the Mainland in such a manner.
During this trip, I also paid a visit to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse and mingling with friends from various circles including the media, the government as well as culture and community.
Talking about media, as an expatriate horseman who has been working in Hong Kong for more than a decade of time, I appreciate a lot on the professionalism and great efforts made by racing journalists here, as most of them are hard-working and diligent. It was their relentless efforts that help steering Hong Kong racing as the forerunners in the international stage.
Personally, I view great importance in communicating with racing journalists, as alike the Club, they all are playing an essential role in motivating the racing development in Hong Kong. But I can recall that when I arrived Hong Kong to take up my previous post as the Club's Director of Racing in 1998, they all are just some new faces to me.
However, I endeavored to look for opportunities to speak to the racing media proactively - no matter from those frontline reporters, to editors and photographers - when I was at morning trackwork, attending press briefings and during racedays. I must say that they all have been so nice and supportive to me over the years, with many of them even become my friends.
In fact, I truly enjoy my time to chat and exchange my views on racing with different racing journalists and media, as I think it's the most direct and effective way to further understand their opinions and feedbacks. I'm glad that most of them are willing to express their views to me candidly, and provide me with some very thoughtful ideas from time to time.
Although some journalists may share a different stance or opinion on specific Club issues or measures, I do hope the communication is of constructive and respectful manner, and the cordial relationship could be maintained in the foreseeable future.
Founded in 1985, the Association of Hong Kong Racing Journalists is the most established racing journalist organisation in Hong Kong, with most of its core members working in local racing industry for decades. I think it's always pleasurable to chat with them as the vast experiences and knowledge of these veterans did help me to understand more about the past culture and evolution of the racing sport in the city.
I always believe that apart from just focusing on local racing, it will be great if the Club can let racing journalists know more about the racing operation, racing stables and stud farms in other racing jurisdictions. That's why I've motivated for that by sponsoring and arranging overseas tour for members of the association during summer break.
I'm glad that in their previous overseas tours, we've received some very positive feedbacks. Like the trip to Japan, all participants could take a glance to Japan's breeding industry by their visits to Northern Farm and Shadai Farm - two most famous and largest stud farms in Hokkaido. They also visited Japan Racing Association's Miho Training Centre in Ibaraki Prefecture. In another trip to Australia, they visited leading trainers Gay Waterhouse and John Hawkes' racing stables, trainer Lee Freedman's pre-race training base for yearlings and griffins, and even the famous Flemington Racetrack. I'm pleased that these two trips gave all participating journalists great experiences and a chance to broaden their visions. I hope we'll have chances to arrange similar tour for them in the future, perhaps to my home country of Germany if they want to!
Back to our races today at Sha Tin, we will be hosting the Association of Hong Kong Racing Journalists Challenge Cup, and I will be paying my attention to Palais D'or. Palais D'or has shown better maturity this season as he has snatched two winners at 1400m and 1600m. This in-form gelding will feature at an extended distance of 1800m for the first time today. With the kind draw, I hope he can maintain his decent performance in this race.
I will also be watching the performance of Always Giggle in the Skol Cup. This Almond Lee-trained horse is truly a specialist for our 1000m event at Sha Tin, where he won thrice and placed five times in his past 11 starts. Though in today's race, he will be facing four young runners - namely Dynamic Blitz, Tuscan Spirit, Blaze King and Craig's Dragon - who have all won in their previous starts, I think he's still capable to get some results in this feature race today.
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