Social distancing has become a fundamental part of life the world over. It must also be a fundamental part of horse racing as we approach the next vital phase of the coronavirus crisis and its effects were clearly illustrated when CNN came to experience Hong Kong’s resilience and can do spirit at Happy Valley recently.
New rules preventing people from gathering in groups of more than four came into force at the weekend and therefore we had to play safe and run Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting purely as a workplace with no owners whatsoever in attendance.
However, after positive negotiations with relevant Government departments an exemption has been granted for meetings up to and including 8 April which means owners with starters and an approved table booking will be able to attend along with jockeys, trainers, Club officials and Stewards with governance duties.
Agility remains essential in such a fluid situation. As such, we would like to stress a number of key points as we follow Government advice in striving to keep social interactions to a minimum.
Masks, temperature screening and health declarations remain mandatory, while only one designated owner per horse will be allowed into the Parade Ring with the trainer and jockey. Designated areas have been created to ensure a minimum of 1.5m social distancing both in the paddock and in catering facilities, with no more than four guests at a table, and for the moment there will be no photo-taking at the Winning Arch after each race.
The Government have made it clear that the next two weeks are critical in fighting a second wave of infection and we must continue to do everything in our power to ensure racing keeps contributing to society safely and responsibly.
The fact that Sunday’s turnover was down only seven or eight per cent on the same fixture in 2019 was amazing. Those figures highlight racing’s enduring popularity with Hong Kong people and, although life will remain challenging for some while yet, the sport is still producing excellent stories.
Joao Moreira provided Sunday’s main headline with a five timer which helped him become only the fourth man to ride 900 Hong Kong winners. Joao now joins a select club alongside Douglas Whyte, Tony Cruz and Zac Purton – and his battle with Zac for the championship is building nicely – but Sunday was also a significant day for Conghua-trained horses.
Soccer Master was the first Conghua winner in the opener. Above romped clear under Joao to bring up the Conghua century for the season in race two and subsequent wins for Picken and Shining Ace mean our second site has now produced almost one in every five winners this season.
As you can imagine, ensuring that horses can travel smoothly to and from Conghua has presented obvious challenges of late but the results continue to be there for all to see and our thanks go out to all the dedicated staff who have helped make this possible.
The final race on Wednesday’s All-Weather card at Sha Tin is the Class 2 Cheung Sha Handicap over 1650m with a number of horses expected to flash speed from the start to secure a forward position.
Buddies has never finished outside the top three in six starts on dirt, including three wins, and has always done his best making the running. He gets Joao for the first time and will face serious pace pressure from outside where Easy Go Easy Win, Kings Shield, Raging Blitzkrieg and Turin Redstar will all try to go forward without being trapped wide. Circuit Glory will show speed from the inside gate and Red Desert is another who will be in the early mix. The pace will be genuine.
Kings Shield was an impressive winner in his only try here over the surface and was perfect in two starts on synthetic surfaces in Great Britain early in his career. He had colic surgery last June and his limited form this season has been disappointing but he did trial well recently on the dirt and the return to his preferred surface makes him a win and place chance.
Raging Blitzkrieg was a perfect trip winner over course and distance in his most recent start but is drawn wide here and faces a tougher field. He has been very consistent over the surface and is a place chance along with the equally consistent Buddies. Dances With Dragon tries the surface for the first time and his work in the mornings suggest he will like it. He will be closing ground late, while Glorious Artist is also a place chance returning to his favourite surface as a three-time course and distance winner.
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