One of the most intense racing weekends of the season awaits but this has also been a notable week for the Jockey Club in other ways as Tai Kwun has received the Award of Excellence in this year’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
There is no question that Tai Kwun has been one of the most challenging projects I have been responsible for since becoming CEO in 2007.
Starting from scratch with a public consultation which guided us, we developed a vision and a plan to make Tai Kwun a Centre for Heritage and Arts and a unique public space in the heart of Hong Kong.
We then had to built a team within the Club to work with world class architects Herzog de Meuron for the new arts buildings and with our Conservation Architect Purcell to develop a meticulous plan following best heritage conservation principles.
Implementation was very challenging, especially because the old buildings had deteriorated much more than first assumed. But now the outcome is very satisfying, not only because we won this great award but, even more importantly, we have now had 3.4 million people visiting Tai Kwun with the overwhelming majority being from Hong Kong.
Acting for the betterment of society has always been one of our defining purposes and the development of the Central Police Station Revitalisation Project is a perfect example of what can be achieved when a talented team commit to excellence.
On a similar theme, I had the opportunity to visit a few of our OCBBs on Friday to thank our staff for their dedication, work ethics and team spirit during a challenging time. While team members appreciate management efforts to support them, I also asked what else we can do as a Club to assist them and we will certainly be following through on suggestions with our management team.
On the track, we can now look forward to what promises to be a wonderful weekend of racing, with all eyes on Beauty Generation again as he bids to stretch his amazing winning streak to 11 by winning the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (Race 8) for the third year running.
The pace for this G2 contest will be good with Ka Ying Star and Glorious Forever keeping company with the odds-on favourite, who concedes between 14lb and 20lb as he attempts to increase his career earnings to HK$89 million.
Ka Ying Star set the pace when second to Beauty Generation in the G3 Celebration Cup over 1400m when both horses were first up three weeks ago. He is a dual winner over course and distance and his consistency makes him a place chance.
Beauty Generation, as usual, will be right on the pace and seven of his ten consecutive wins have come over course and distance. The only concern is the big weight but this horse is in a different league. In my view he is the best miler in the world and, despite the huge weight he has to give away, he is once again a win and place chance and clearly the horse to beat.
Singapore Sling came within half a length of Beauty Generation when first up in this race last season. His wide draw will not make this assignment any easier but he has the benefit of the handicap and is a place chance.
Waikuku is another capable rival and comes off a solid third when first up against the champ on National Day. He will appreciate the additional furlong and has the ability to make things interesting. He is also a place chance.
The G2 Premier Bowl will be Race 3 over 1200m and the pace will be slower than expected as many of Hong Kong’s elite sprinters are waiting for the Jockey Club Sprint on 17 November to make their return. Rattan and Gunnison are likely to roll forward.
Ivictory and Pakistan Star add a lot of intrigue as they try to recapture top form. Ivictory began with four consecutive wins, including the 2018 G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, before disappointing last season. He has not raced since January and a change in tactics is likely as he will do his running from the back. It will be interesting to see how he performs after his long break.
Pakistan Star tackles 1200m for the first time since becoming the talk of the town with his eye-catching 2016 debut win in a Griffin race. He has impressed in morning trials over the dirt and is coming into the race nicely with Zac Purton aboard for the first time but his lack of experience at this trip is a question.
Wishful Thinker is a win and place chance after a good effort in the National Day Cup. He is well drawn and should get every chance from midfield. Seasons Bloom will be finishing fast and is a place chance along with Pakistan Star and the in-form Full Of Beauty.
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