At the Jockey Club, we never stop looking for ways to advance Hong Kong racing, and so one of our standard off-season practices is to review issues from the previous season, identifying areas where we can improve. However, in light of some of the recent issues and criticism over the last two weeks, I have discussed the matter with Andrew Harding, our Executive Director, Racing Authority, and we both felt it necessary to bring this process forward and to start systematically reviewing the processes and procedures in his areas of responsibility to see what improvements could be made in order to maintain the public trust we have gained over the years.
Andrew will start the holistic review of the issues we have identified this week. They include the conditions under which we post the inquiry sign, changes in riding tactics, the declaration of riders following incidents or short-term injuries, and how to improve communication between the Club and racing fans. These and many other relevant topics are under review in our continued pursuit to improve racing.
Tropical Storm Merbok skirted past Hong Kong on Monday night and became the first tropical cyclone affecting Hong Kong this year. Despite the hoisting of the T8 signal, there seems to have been, most fortunately, very limited damage to the city and Club facilities emerged in good order. The weather is likely to remain a bit unstable over the next few days so there is a chance of some wet conditions tonight at Happy Valley.
We have just two races remaining in our pattern programme, the G3 Premier Cup and Premier Plate at Sha Tin, held on Sunday week. Looking back over the season, a few horses emerged as new leaders in some of the key divisions, but seemingly without any major standouts. Only two horses earned two Group 1 wins on the season, Helene Paragon and Werther, while of course the late Rapper Dragon was a major highlight when he became the first horse to sweep all three legs of the 4YO Classic Series.
For our racing fans, you have the opportunity to once again to have your say and express your appreciation for your favourites of the season. Voting opened for the Most Popular Horse, Most Popular Jockey and Most Admired Overseas Horse via our website – HKJC.com/MPHJ. This will be the first year in which all voting takes place online. Hong Kong-based fans who vote on the site will be eligible for several prizes as well. Be sure to log in and have your say in this year’s Champion Awards. The voting is open until 28 June.
Tonight at Happy Valley, the seventh race is our Class 2 feature, the Wyndham Handicap over 1800m of the “B” course. The pace is likely to be good with King Genki anticipated to go forward along with Time Warp with an inside barrier. Big Bang Bong is likely to track them with Speedy Longwah. Packing Dragon, with a wide draw, is at risk of being trapped wide. Friends Of Ka Ying should race midfield with Renaissance Art, Dynamism, Andoyas and Gonna Run near the rear.
Andoyas is back in Class 2 after trying the Queen Mother Memorial Cup and will carry lightweight with Matthew Poon aboard. His three consecutive wins at Happy Valley earlier this term were exciting late runs to the finish, and he should get another good pace to run into, making him a good win and place chance. Packing Dragon, Big Bang Bong, Friends Of Ka Ying and Speedy Longwah were all within a length of each other over this course and distance on 10 May, and all have win and place chances tonight. Meanwhile, Renaissance Art is a placing chance after drawing an inside barrier. He did his best running late last season and his trackwork has been OK lately, so he could improve following some time off.
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