This has been an encouraging period for Hong Kong – with new cases of coronavirus down to single figures through the week – and extra protective measures appear to be having a positive effect.
Government departments have all been asked to consider their plans for a gradual exit strategy, including on working arrangements and social gatherings, and I am hopeful that by continuing to apply our stringent risk assessment we will also be able to increase our operations by phases as opportune.
What has impressed me most of all is how every Club employee has rallied round to maintain core operations and fulfil our purpose of acting for the betterment of society.
Such strong support, including from licensed persons, has enabled us to create a protective zone around racing. That in turn has helped convince external stakeholders, especially the Government, that racing is in the public interest not only because of tax contributions but also because of the stay-at-home entertainment it provides to fans here in Hong Kong and for commingling customers overseas.
The Club has shown extraordinary resilience in handling the impact of Covid-19. We will continue to be agile until there is a vaccine, dialing operations up or down depending on the situation, but I am convinced that the can-do spirit that has always carried us through will help us rise to the challenge once again.
Wednesday’s action at Happy Valley provided a perfect snapshot of Hong Kong racing’s cosmopolitan appeal, with Karis Teetan in double form and Chad Schofield riding a winner for the seventh meeting in a row.
Global interest was marked by another very strong Commingling figure and the international audience could hardly fail to be engaged by the story of our Antoine Hamelin, who emerged from two weeks in quarantine to ride a double on the first day of his new contract last Sunday and followed up with another winner when Lasting Friendship saluted at the Valley.
Our latest French import clearly has a great opportunity after such a strong start, while the ongoing battle for the jockeys’ title between Joao Moreira and Zac Purton is something that could put Hong Kong racing right at the top of the international sports agenda in the next three months.
Things fell Joao’s way in dramatic fashion with three winners at Sha Tin last Sunday but Zac struck back in typical fashion with a treble of his own at the Valley, bringing up his hundred for the season with a thrilling success aboard Dances With Dragon in the closing Cedar Handicap and reducing Joao’s lead at the top of the table to just one again.
I have no hesitation in saying that Zac’s ride on Dances With Dragon – in which he switched inside from the 12 barrier before making a daring swoop from the rear to get the better of Joao and Enrichment by just a head – is my number one choice for ride of the year. That one race provided a perfect snapshot of two of the world’s best riders in full flow and I could not resist viewing the replay multiple times.
With almost three months of the season left there is still a long way to go but it does seem that something similar to the 2017/2018 title battle – which Zac sealed on the very last day of the season – could be building.
It would take a brave man to choose between these world-class riders at this stage but, with the sporting world in lockdown, this is the sort of head-to-head contest that will resonate with racing fans worldwide in weeks to come.
On a separate note, it was sad to hear the news that the leading stallion Shamardal has passed away at Kildangan Stud in Ireland at the age of 18. He left a lasting mark on Hong Kong racing as the sire of exceptional horses like Able Friend, Pakistan Star and Dan Excel and it will be good to see how his latest star – last year’s European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt Pinatubo – progresses once the European season is up and running.
Sunday’s ninth race at Sha Tin is the Class 2 Cornwall Handicap over 1200m on the all-weather track with nine of the 12 runners having prior success on the dirt surface. Will Power moves up in grade after posting three wins and one second from four career starts, all on the dirt. He will do his running from midfield under regular rider Karis Teetan but may find this level a bit tougher than what he is accustomed. He is a place chance.
Winner Supreme will leave from the outside gate and use his speed to make the running. Seven Heavens is also drawn outside and Purton will have to make an early decision whether to call on his speed to be on the pace or to go back. Gunnison is drawn inside with Moreira and will be close to the fast pace along with Kings Shield, Mission Tycoon and Refined Treasure.
Encore Boy is one of three horses in the race to have won three times on the surface and his recent form is excellent. He draws a better gate, gets the services of Antoine Hamelin and will be a touch worse than midfield behind the fast tempo. He should close the race off strongly as a win and place chance.
Winner Supreme is the controlling speed and is a place chance despite the wide draw along with Gunnison. Kings Shield is an interesting runner as he turns back in trip after a solid try over 1650m. He is a dirt specialist but his preference is to make the running and he will not be quick enough to lead here. For that reason, I will leave him out of the selections.
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