The challenges of 2022 continue at a rapid rate and, due to recent emergence of Omicron variant clusters, the Club has acted swiftly to protect its employees and customers.
Our guiding principle has always been that none of our activities should pose any risk to our employees and customers. The COVID-19 risk situation has been worsening recently and the upcoming two weeks will be critical to our city in addressing the pandemic situation. As such, we have to scale down our operational activities. We hope for the understanding of our customers in regard to the decisions we have taken in alignment with Government instructions.
For the next four meetings, starting this Sunday, the only people allowed on the racecourse apart from Stewards, trainers, jockeys, Club officials and persons essential to the operation of races, will be owners with starters and their companions who have made advance bookings.
In addition to public health measures, standard security measures at racecourses will apply. Off-Course Betting Branches (OCBBs) will remain open but under tightened conditions, which include the requirement for all customers to scan the LeaveHomeSafe QR code or provide their relevant details before entering OCBBs.
As an extra precaution, there will be no live broadcasts of races in OCBBs to reduce the risk of crowds congregating. During this time, we will continue to provide betting services on race days, but the only coverage of races in OCBBs will be via audio.
In the circumstances, and to prevent the potential of over-crowding, a decision has been made to postpone the Mark Six draw with an estimated $105 million First Division Prize – originally scheduled to be drawn on Saturday night (8 January) – until Thursday 20, January.
The Club has introduced these measures to protect all participants as we seek to continue Hong Kong racing in the safest possible way. Since the outbreak of the virus in 2020, we are proud of the fact that not a single race meeting has been lost during the pandemic to COVID-19 itself.
Despite a proven track record in strict adherence with Government protocols, we cannot – and will not – rest on our laurels. We must also remain agile in the face of change and we are again reliant on the cooperation of our customers, trainers, jockeys, owners and staff to ensure we do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of all.
Hong Kong horse racing is the source of tremendous entertainment – and an engaging distraction in testing circumstances – as well as providing employment for thousands of people in our city. We will take all appropriate steps to ensure the continuation of racing under approved Government protocols.
From a pure racing viewpoint, Wednesday night provided another round of memorable highlights with Zebrowski’s G3 January Cup victory on a night when Joao Moreira posted yet another treble, Caspar Fownes and Frankie Lor trained doubles and Douglas Whyte saddled his 100th winner.
Douglas has made it clear from the outset that he wanted to be successful as a trainer and not even the satisfaction of a record 1,813 winners as an 13-time champion jockey has been sufficient to dull his competitive instincts.
On Sunday at Sha Tin, the Class 2 Chek Keng Handicap is a mile contest carded as the seventh of ten races with future implications on the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. There are five talented Derby prospects in the field, four of which are eligible for a $1.5 million High Achievement Bonus in addition to the winner’s share of $2.4 million in prize money and a possible spot in the lucrative $24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby in March.
The four-year-olds include Rocket Spade, winner of the New Zealand Derby and a promising fourth in his first-up run three weeks ago, and Australian import The Irishman, a horse that finished an eye-catching second in his Hong Kong debut in early December. Ima Single Man and Master Delight are two other in-form four-year-olds with solid form coming into the race. Ima Single Man earned the High Achievement Bonus with a Class 2 win in his latest start three weeks ago while Master Delight missed out on the bonus by a short margin when second over the course and distance on HKIR day.
The pace will be modest with Master Delight looking like the sole leader under leading jockey Joao Moreira. He is versatile and does not need to go forward to run his best race, yet the lack of pace in this race will have him in front. I make him a win and place chance off his consistent form over the trip and the pace scenario.
Rocket Spade will appreciate the step up in trip and will be making ground late under Derek Leung. He is a place chance and is a horse to watch throughout the Four-Year-old Series. The Irishman is also a win and a place chance after rattling home with strong closing sectionals in his debut. He had solid form in New South Wales and looks like another top prospect that will appreciate further. Vincent Ho has the ride.
Beluga has finished in the top three in each of his three starts this season and is in top form. He will be closing ground as a place chance with Matthew Chadwick and should not be overlooked in what shapes up as a very exciting race.
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