Last week I visited several of our Off Course Betting Branches and the Sha Tin Telebet Centre to share Chinese New Year greetings with some of our staff there. While our many loyal customers have a variety of ways to make a bet via our convenient channels, those serving in our OCBBs or Telebet Centres are on duty, some during times that is, otherwise, a holiday. It was great to shake the hands and exchange CNY well-wishes with so many of our dedicated team, thanking them for their hard work during the festive period. You can see a few photos from my visits below.
Last night was the first of the three days of competition at the LONGINES Masters out at AsiaWorld-Expo and the great crowd on hand enjoyed the HKJC Race of the Riders, which was won by Team Magic – a combination of our leading rider Joao Moreira and Roger-Yves Bost, a member of France’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics. My congratulations to them and the best to all of the competitors in the next two days.
We are at Sha Tin for a Saturday race meeting where the feature is the Sam Shing Handicap, a Class 2 event over 1600m.
The pace is likely to be good in this competitive event. Circuit Hassler led early in the Hong Kong Classic Mile and should go forward from his inside barrier. Travel First has shown speed in the past and likely will do so again with Kei Chiong on board. Lucky Girl could go forward or sit behind Circuit Hassler. California Disegno showed speed last time when the race was run without many other pacesetters, but is likely to settle just off the pace today. People’s Knight is at risk of getting trapped wide. Baba Mama should be positioned in the second half of the field.
The pace in the Hong Kong Classic Mile was slower than standard and still Baba Mama came rallying late, running the fourth fastest final 400 metres, closing from 13th to 7th, and did most of his best running in the final 200. A stronger pace today will be to his advantage, as will the handicap conditions which see him get into this race carrying just 116 pounds. I will make him a narrow win and place selection in this race. California Disegno ran his best race in nine Hong Kong starts last out when beaten a head to Beauty Generation and is working well for this event. He is another strong win and place chance. Let Us Win gets the services of leading rider Joao Moreira and could improve in this spot. He is a placing chance for me, as is Lucky Girl.
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