And so, the stage is set. The 2021/22 Hong Kong racing season is finally upon us and I am excited that we can have a sizeable crowd back at Sha Tin on Sunday for the long-awaited resumption.
Based on bookings so far, we are expecting a crowd of around 20,000 customers, an excellent number given the crowd quota provided by the HKSAR Government – and bearing in mind we could host only 285 guests at the corresponding meeting last year.
We will still have health and safety measures in place at our racecourses and Off-Course Betting Branches and we ask that for our customers understanding that despite the current COVID risk situation – which is good – and the fact that we in Hong Kong have been remarkable handling the virus, we have to stay vigilant and we cannot be complacent.
This, of course, is for the protection of all. Those protocols aside, I am extremely excited by the prospect of watching the emergence of a fresh crop of young equine talent over the next 10 months with some interesting newcomers stepping out on Sunday.
With the first meeting literally on the doorstep, the quest for the trainer and jockey championship honours will start in earnest on Sunday as Joao Moreira and Zac Purton lock horns again as Karis Teetan, Alexis Badel and Vincent Ho also contend. There is also plenty of interest in the continued development of Jerry Chau, while the arrival of South African Luke Ferraris adds further depth to our riding ranks.
Caspar Fownes resumes battle for the trainers’ championship with John Size, Francis Lui, Frankie Lor, Tony Cruz and several others, including David Hayes who is very bullish heading into the new season and is expecting a great showing from his stable.
David has a strong list of runners for the first meeting, especially Nervous Witness, who races in the famous green and black Silent Witness colours and, judging by his trials, is an exciting newcomer and a banker in Race 6, which is the last leg of the Triple Trio, which has a HK$19 million jackpot.
With less than a day until the first of our 88 meetings for the season, I can barely wait for Sunday.
The first leg of the Triple Trio is the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup, the traditional season-opening feature event, which is a Class 1 handicap over 1200 metres and has attracted very strong entries with 13 starters.
Many of the horses in the field have good tactical speed but there is no outright leader. Lucky Patch (Jerry Chau), Buddies (Matthew Chadwick), Shining Ace (Joao Moreira) and California Rad (Matthew Poon) will use their speed from the outside gates along with Sparkling Dragon (Dylan Mo) and Amazing Star (Vagner Borges) to set a good pace.
I expect Duke Wai to also be in close contention under Zac Purton. He has enjoyed the last three months in Conghua and was impressive in a recent trial. I make him a place chance.
Winning Dreamer will settle about midfield from his inside draw and has a good first-up record. He won the first six races of his career and clearly has a good deal of ability. He is a place chance under Vincent Ho.
Naboo Attack is one of the biggest horses in Hong Kong and was good enough to win his Hong Kong debut in Class 2, which is no easy feat. He has had a pair to trials and gets in with a light weight with Karis Teetan. I make him a win and place chance. Lucky Patch is also a place chance.
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