Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the launch ceremony for CoolThink@JC, a new initiative created and funded by the Club’s Charities Trust, and co-created by the Education University of Hong Kong, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from the United States and City University of Hong Kong, with the support of the Education Bureau.
There should be no doubt that technology plays a crucial role in everyday life, and its reach will only grow. CoolThink@JC is a four-year programme, funded with a Trust donation of HK$216 million, aimed to inspire students to apply problem-solving skill, digital creativity in their daily lives and enhance young people’s capacity to contribute to our city’s economic and social development. The initiative is expected to benefit over 16,500 primary students. This is another example of the Club’s strong commitment to the betterment of Hong Kong, and in particular, to the development of young people, one of the strategic focus areas of the Club’s Charities Trust. I look forward to following the progress of CoolThink@JC in the coming years and express my thanks to nearly 200 leading experts and educators, as well as the many representatives from Government and industry who came along to yesterday’s ceremony to support this initiative.
Back at the races, our champion jockey Joao Moreira showed his magic again on Panasonic Cup day at Sha Tin last Saturday, scoring his second five-timer of the season and extending his lead in the jockeys’ premiership to 20 wins.
We have a big weekend upcoming with our Jockey Club races day, the final major preps for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. It will be quite exciting to see Able Friend back in action as he aims for 11 December.
In what has been a bit of a tradition in recent years, just days before our Jockey Club races meeting, we announce the line-up of world-class jockeys featured in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship in December. Joao has secured his place given his status as the reigning champion jockey in Hong Kong last season. With his unstoppable form, I believe he will be eager to add another IJC success to his previous win in 2010. Gavin Lerena, as the reigning champion, will be back to defend his title. We have invited some top names and elite riders from around the world to participate in this premier jockey challenge at Happy Valley on 7 December. You can find out the full details from our website and various channels later this afternoon.
Tonight at Happy Valley we will host our close friends from Japan as the Japan Racing Association Trophy is our feature race of the evening. This Class 2 event over 1800m has attracted a quality field. Basic Trilogy has led at two of his last three starts and I think he might end up on the lead, even despite his top weight, given the wide barrier. Travel First could also go forward and Magical Beauty is often close too, without leading. Green Dispatch should take a handy position with Dynamism nearby, though he could be farther back. Top Act is at risk of being caught wide while Ambitious Champion is likely to be midfield. Winnie’s Honey will probably be ridden from the back given his draw tonight.
Basic Trilogy is working well and the slow pace should help him. He is a win and place chance for me, as is Green Dispatch, who is my overall first choice being well-positioned in midfield. His last win was, in my view, even more convincing than the nose margin suggests because he was held for a run until the 250m point when he powered through and then held off a strong challenge. Star Majestic should not be underestimated especially as he is working very well but has to come from the back of the field. He is a place chance at least. My other choice is Winnie’s Honey, who probably has to come back from last but has Moreira on board and would not be surprised to be in a close finish with my other selections.
Dynamism is a horse one could easily overlook but his penultimate run at Happy Valley over 1650m when second was very good. David Ferraris’s stable is in good form and Dynamism is a place chance in my opinion.
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