And so we move on through another notable week at home and abroad. The 38th Asian Racing Conference is under way in Cape Town with significant topics on the agenda but the current situation demands that I stay in Hong Kong to help oversee another very important phase in our plan to keep racing.
The next two or three weeks will be very important in the ongoing coronavirus situation and I am optimistic that our sport can continue with current restrictions remaining in place.
Sunday’s G1 contests at Sha Tin threw up two dramatic stories – with Time Warp and Beauty Generation bouncing back to winning form – and by limiting attendance to just over 300 people we were able to contain risk to a minimum while continuing to provide entertainment for up to 800,000 people in Hong Kong as well as our international audience.
There is no question that the social impact of racing here is different than anywhere else in the world and that is why it is important to continue with our normal programme. We have addressed a main concern regarding medical masks – with 1.1 million delivered and another million due – and my interactions suggest all our teams feel we are acting responsibly.
In addition, I firmly believe in the ‘Can Do’ spirit of Hong Kong as a whole. We have a high level of preparedness for what we face now and the resilience that Hong Kong has always shown in the face of challenges will shine through again as we continue to race in the coming weeks.
Resilience will also be a key factor in an ARC whose theme is ‘Unlocking Potential.’ Our sport has huge potential if we can confront challenges and grasp opportunities and the most vital of these are global.
Racing is used to competing with football, basketball and Formula 1 but technology adds extra complexity with new generations transferring interest to e-sports and e-gaming. Illegal betting remains a huge, growing threat, while climate change is having an undeniable impact in some jurisdictions and animal welfare, animal rights and prohibited substances have become existential issues in some areas.
Problems in these areas threaten the integrity of the sport globally as well as locally and these complex issues require substantial resourcing at a time when revenue is not growing. Taking on these challenges requires the industry to work together like never before and the fight against African Horse Sickness is a perfect example of what is required.
South Africa’s outstanding racing and breeding industries have been unable to expand internationally because of this problem but the Asian Racing Federation has been committed to assisting and, with the help of World Organisation for Animal Health and HKJC funding for the development of a new vaccine, we hope we are now close to the movement of horses being restored.
The last time South Africa hosted the ARC was in 1997 and the strides that the country has made since then provide a perfect reminder of what can be achieved by unlocking potential. I am sorry I cannot be part of this year’s ARC in person but I am sure that the Club’s team in one of the world’s most stunning cities will represent us well and that the entire conference will combine to make concrete progress on some vital global issues.
The final race of Wednesday’s all-weather meeting at Sha Tin is the Class 2 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap at 1200m for horses rated 105 to 80. The pace will be good with Moment Of Power and Big Time Baby using their natural speed to make the running with Gunnison in the box seat.
Encore Boy is drawn outside and is not known as a good gate horse but he jumped exceptionally well in a recent trial at Conghua. Provided he jumps on terms, jockey Karis Teetan may attempt to cross and get a position as many of the runners will go back.
Big Time Baby was impressive winning a recent trial by open lengths and his form this season has been exceptional. He is a four-time winner over track and distance, and will need his best carrying 133 pounds as a win and place chance with Matthew Chadwick.
Mr Croissant, Mr So And So and Superich make their debuts on the dirt surface and, of the three, Superich is the one that stands out. He looked good winning a recent trial at Conghua and the turn back in trip should help. He is a place chance.
Elite Patch had a good trial two weeks ago after blowing the start in his most recent race as a prohibitive favourite last month. He goes well on the track and distance and will get a good run from midfield under Vincent Ho.
Ugly Warrior has been very disappointing this season but is a six-time winner on the surface. He was very slowly away in his last start but has trialled well since. Along with Elite Patch, he is also a place chance.
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