The strange feeling brought on by the sight of racing on a near-deserted racecourse ought to lessen over time.
But that wasn’t the case at Happy Valley this week. Wednesday was a perfect night for racing, warm and still with no humidity, and under normal circumstances it would have been party time at our city track.
Sadly, we do not live in normal circumstances and that we can only proceed with Sunday’s race meeting (29 March) without the attendance of any customers – including horse owners with starters.
The Club is in steadfast support of Hong Kong in addressing the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. We have implemented various precautionary measures for the protection of employees and customers in racecourses and other facilities and relentlessly collaborated with the Government on multiple initiatives, including closure of all Off-Course Betting Branches and limiting attendance at meetings to only owners with starters. As a result, racing has continued under a safe environment for the benefit of society, including significant tax contribution and a HK$200 million community donation to support those most in need of help.
On Friday, the Government announced a new regulation prohibiting group gatherings of more than four people in public places. We are discussing with the Government on the proper arrangement for our race meeting tomorrow. We are reasonably confident that a mutually satisfactory solution will be identified and our race meeting tomorrow will continue as planned.
Evidence from the last three months speaks positively for the way Hong Kong and its people have responded to this challenge and that controlled reaction has helped us manage our situation. Hopefully, things will be different in two or three weeks. However, for the moment we feel it is sensible to scale down and therefore the Club would like to thank all horse owners and customers for their understanding and patience.
A strong group of progressive horses line up in Sunday’s Class 2 Chak On Handicap over 1200m, the last race of March.
Perfect Match, Duke Wai and Computer Patch are all recipients of the HK$1 million High Achievement Bonus for horses that win in Class 2 or above before the end of their four-year-old season. Three others, Transcendent, Hong Kong Bet and Shining Ace, are looking to join that list.
Hong Kong Bet, Speed Vision and Gunnison will go forward to set a genuine pace with Perfect Match and Computer Patch in close attendance. Duke Wai will settle about midfield.
This shapes up as one of the more interesting races of the season and a great example of what makes Hong Kong racing so exciting.
Perfect Match is the choice of Zac Purton and turns back in trip after consecutive wins over 1400m. He had a good trial recently and will be on the pace from the outset from his wide draw. He looks a horse with real class and will need to be at his best to handle this field. He is a win and place chance.
Duke Wai has enjoyed a sensational season with four wins and three top three finishes from seven starts. He should get a smooth run and will have every chance under regular rider Karis Teetan. He is a place chance.
Computer Patch will be in the mix from the start and was a determined winner in a rapidly run 1000m race three weeks ago. He is effective over this trip and is a place chance in his current form. Transcendent was very impressive winning his Hong Kong debut two weeks ago, is well drawn, and will be closing well in the straight as a place chance.
Comment
