Time is moving on, with just two weeks until the BMW Hong Kong Derby and seven until FWD Champions Day. Recent months have shown that it seldom pays to look too far ahead but the time is right to take small steps back towards normality and that is why we have decided to refine our plans to open selected Off Course Betting Branches.
Assessing the correct number of shops to open in order to help customers access important services – such as cashing vouchers and depositing funds – was never going to be straightforward in the current unusual circumstances.
Having taken feedback from customers, we decided to close six branches that opened last Monday while opening 14 OCBB’s (listed below) between 9:30am and 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday and also on Monday 9 March.
In addition, we decided to open Sha Tin and Happy Valley racetracks during the same times on the above date. No account opening or account services will be available at OCBB’s but those services will be offered at the racetracks.
In my view, closing OCBBs in busy areas was very important. And doing that in conjunction with shifting account enquires and account opening to racecourses led to an increase in capacity, space and comfort. As a result we were able to serve 70 000 customers on Thursday – a stunning number in the circumstances – with no inconvenience to the community and little waiting time.
Of course, this could not happen without the fantastic Can-Do spirit of our dedicated employees. I visited both racecourses and the OCBB in Wong Tai Sin, which had some queueing issues in the days before, to talk to our team members and they are classic examples of the total dedication our teams show in helping serve loyal customers.
Back on the regular racing front, the last couple of weeks have continued to show the value of our Conghua base. Restrictions on border crossings mean that trainers have been unable to visit in recent weeks but horses are still travelling from our Mainland base smoothly and Wednesday’s wins for Shamport and Flash Famous at the Valley took the total of winners trained at Conghua since their latest start to 91 from 471 races this season.
Shamport’s handler Caspar Fownes summed up the nature of modern training by outlining how combining excellent staff on the ground in Conghua and the use of video and timing technology can help in preparing a horse to produce a peak performance from 200km away.
Almost one in every five winners in Hong Kong this season has been “made in Conghua.” That is a very impressive strike rate by any measure and, amid challenging times at home, it is good to be reminded that one of the most significant racing projects the Club has ever undertaken is more than holding its own as a source of winners.
Country Star and Voyage Warrior are prime examples of horses that have achieved great success from Conghua. They are among seven highly rated sprinters in Sunday’s Class 1 Chek Lap Kok Handicap over 1200 metres, which is carded as the fourth race and looks a fascinating and very open contest.
Voyage Warrior will make the running along with Big Party and Hot King Prawn. Country Star will be closer than usual under a light weight and the compact field should be tightly bunched as the pace figures to be moderate.
Under the handicap conditions, Big Party is clearly a strong contender under Grant Van Niekerk. He was impressive in his last win over 1000m, is working very well and has a weight advantage in this Class 1 Handicap.It is true to say that he has to prove that he is capable to compete against some proven Group 1 horses over 1200m but all the same he is a win and place chance.
Thanks Forever turns back in trip after a good effort when fourth in the Group 1 Queen’s Sliver Jubilee Cup. He is also in top form and has the versatility to be forwardly placed or do his running from midfield. He comes back in distance after that solid G1 effort and is also a win and place chance for Zac Purton.
Hot King Prawn must shoulder top weight of 133 pounds but must be respected on his class and consistency. He is a place chance along with the low weighted Voyage Warrior.
Later on Sunday, the Mui Wo Handicap is a strong 1800m Class 2 which provides Beauty Legacy, Reliable Team and Winning Delight with a late chance to advertise their claims for the BMW Hong Kong Derby. Beauty Legacy is a certainty to be selected with a rating of 100 but Reliable Team on 86 and Winning Delight on 82 need to run well in order to be sure of a place in two weeks’ time.
Beauty Legacy showed great form in Australia, winning at G2 level and being G1 placed. He had a tremendous first-up win over 1400m in Hong Kong but has been a little disappointing since, being blocked when fourth in the Classic Mile then jeopardising his chance again by being too keen when sixth over 1800m in the Classic Cup. He is a good win and place chance in this race but John Size will be especially keen for Joao Moreira to teach him to settle again during the first sections.
Reliable Team was very disappointing in the Classic Cup, finishing only tenth after showing good form in Class 2. He is a place chance, while Winning Delight delighted his connections with a good win over 2200m at Happy Valley. I see him as a place chance with Chefano being in good form as well as the consistent High Rev.
OCBBs open from 9:30am to 7:30pm on Monday 9 March under new arrangements:
Quarry Bay, King’s Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Hankow Road
Mong Kok, Nathan Centre
Mong Kok, Tong Mei Road
Wong Tai Sin, Tropicana
Tseung Kwan O, Po Lam
Sheung Shui, Shek Wu Hui
Tai Po Plaza
Tuen Mun Town Plaza
Tin Shui Wai
Kwai Fong
Kwai Chung, Wing Fong Road
Tsing Yi, Maritime Square
Tsuen Wan, Castle Peak Road
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