It has been almost a year since we launched Jockey Challenge – the Club's first fixed-odds racing betting pool – last April. With racing fans' strong support, this innovative betting pool has quickly established a sound footing and now attracts a similar amount of turnover to other exotic bet types each raceday.
Despite of this success, all our different betting types are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they still best meet our betting customers' needs. I can tell you that we have completed our latest round of review on Jockey Challenge, with a particular focus on the rules and scoring system as this issue has stirred quite a lively debate among racing fans. Our decision is not to count those points gained by jockeys who ride mounts previously declared by other jockeys; in other words points scored by replacement jockeys will be discarded.
In fact, we went for extensive customer consultation and that's why it took us a longer time. After listening to feedbacks from customer survey group and from media, this proposal is in line with the majority of views given. So I hope you will be pleased with this move to make Jockey Challenge more effective and will continue giving it your support. We will soon start preparing the implementation details, including the system adaptation and information presentation at different channels. I will let you know as soon as possible the date on which the new rules take effect.
But before that, tomorrow at Sha Tin, I'm sure all our minds will be focused on the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby – our most prestigious race of the domestic calendar which will see 14 of our top four-year-olds battling it out for top honours.
I have to say that this 2,000m event is looking pretty straightforward this year, as it's clear that the likely top favourite, John Moore-trained Collection, has drawn very well in Gate 9. I don't expect there to be much early pace in the race, so this draw offers more flexibility for the horse to stay in a good position. Let's see if Collection can bring John Moore his third Hong Kong Derby success, and the first Group One victory for a trainer's syndicate in Hong Kong.
Thumbs Up, which will be ridden by Belgian supremo Christophe Soumillon, seems to be the runner most likely to stage a challenge to the favourite, as he's drawn pretty well too. But I will not underestimate the credentials of John Size's duo Unique Jewellery and More Bountiful either. Another trainer's syndicate runner – Legend of Colour, as well as Almond Lee-trained Roma Pegasus also look to have an outside chance. So please don't miss this exciting race at Sha Tin tomorrow.
For other 10 races on the card, I'll be paying my attention to the performances of Helene Elite and Bullish Gold. Helene Elite ran fifth and third in his two runs over 1400m in Class 4 in the season. The four-year-old should find it easier when racing in Class 5 today and with the 10-pound claiming advantage of Matthew Chadwick, I hope he can show further improvement. Bullish Gold performed so consistent in his last four outings and with Matthew on board this time, I will not be too surprised if he can win his first race in Hong Kong.
Comment
