Maximising the international appeal of our great sport has long been an important theme within the HKJC and that desire has been reflected by several key metrics in recent years.
Interest in Hong Kong racing from abroad has grown to the extent that commingling often accounts for around 15 per cent of raceday turnover nowadays.
Meanwhile, the size of pools on international races that we simulcast has created a unique opportunity to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as centre of global racing by the creation of a World Pool.
Ascot has long been a valued strategic partner of ours. They share our vision for the future of international racing and, after a long process of preparation and testing, it will be fascinating to see the response to the World Pool for next week’s Royal Ascot meeting.
This is the first time we have ever had simulcasts for all five days of Britain’s most historic race meeting, which features eight Group 1 contests and star horses from Europe, America, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore.
More importantly, it is also the first time that racing fans from Hong Kong, Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can wager into a groundbreaking global pool.
For me, this is a very significant development. Experience tells us that there is a huge appetite for top-class racing wherever in the world it takes place.
We witnessed that appetite for the Derby meeting at Epsom a couple of weeks ago and another major European Classic will be simulcast into Hong Kong when we cover the French Oaks on Sunday night.
However, the creation of the Royal Ascot World Pool offers something completely new and very exciting.
I firmly believe this represents the beginning of a new era in international racing and the potential for growth with Hong Kong as the technological hub of a global commingling operation is tremendous.
Sunday’s Class 2 Staunton Handicap at a mile is a strong contest and features the local debut of Thinkin’ Big, who showed high-class form in Australia and is seen as a potential candidate for next year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby.
A good pace looks assured with Circuit Glory and Hezthewonforus set to cross from their wide gates to take up the running. They will be chased by Beauty Spirit, but the majority of the field will be reserved through the early stages.
Hezthewonforus returned from a 10-month layoff to win first up by the narrowest of margins three weeks ago and steps up in trip in his second-up run.
He ran well in his only attempt over course and distance on the same C+3 track on this day last year. He is a win and place chance.
Harmony Victory has also drawn outside and will go back to last over the early stages. He finished well on his last start after dropping 26 pounds in body weight from his previous run and has since added 20 pounds to be closer to his winning weight. He competed in all three legs of the four-year-old series and his fitness coupled with his current form make him a place chance.
There is very little between Grand Chancellor and Not Usual Talent. Both will be racing in tandem from midfield, which figures to be an advantage in the way this race will be run. Despite meeting tougher opposition, both are place chances at the weights and should be going well at the end.
All of these four horses have performed well on a rain affected track.
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