The recent escalation in concerns over the Omicron variant has presented a series of new challenges and, for the safety and protection of all, the Club has taken the significant step to hold tonight’s Happy Valley meeting under a closed-door mode in which only those staff members, club officials, licensed personnel and those persons whose roles are essential to the conduct of the races are in attendance.
Unfortunately, these restrictions – which will apply over the next three meetings – mean our owners, Club members, media and members of the public will not be able to attend the racecourses for meetings on 12, 16 and 19 January.
We have not taken these measures lightly – and we appreciate the understanding of our members, owners and customers at this difficult time – but the decision has been taken in alignment with the city-wide efforts to overcome the current challenging COVID-19 pandemic. It is also aimed to protecting our sport and allowing racing to continue.
Medical experts have sent a clear signal that the upcoming days or week will be critical. The Government has also announced new measures to address the external situation. We need to be patient, nimble and resilient in the fight against the virus.
Our guiding principle is that none of our activities should create a public health risk for our members, employees, licensed persons and customers.
We have implemented stringent measures such as all of our staff, officials, jockeys and trainers are required undergo PCR tests before all of our meetings and only fully vaccinated people among the group considered essential to the conduct of race meetings will be allowed to attend.
These measures are part of our commitment to ensure the smooth and safe operations of the race meetings and the Club thanks owners, members, media and the public for their understanding and patience.
In addition, in light of the increasingly challenging pandemic situation in Hong Kong, particularly the urgent situation in Tuen Mun as highlighted by the health authority, we have made the immediate response this morning to close the two OCBBs (Off-Course Betting Branches) at Tuen Mun starting from today until further notice. For other OCBBs in the territory, they will close on day race meetings starting upcoming Sunday. For night race meeting, they will open only from 12pm to 6pm.
We hope the situation will improve soon, enabling us to welcome back our valued customers to the race-tracks. As we saw at several of our meetings earlier this season, the excitement created by our passionate Hong Kong racing fans generates a fantastic atmosphere.
Racing continues tonight with The Class 3 Lok Fu Handicap, which is the final race of the Wednesday night race meeting at Happy Valley and will be run over 1650 metres at a good to slow pace. World Famous will go forward from the inside draw to make the running with Matthew Poon along with Red Majesty under Karis Teetan. This will result in a tactical race as the slow tempo will have the field tightly bunched.
Gallant Crown will get a nice run on or near the pace from his good draw with Joao Moreira and is a win and place chance in his good form. He was taken back from his wide draw in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship last month and was compromised by a wide run. This race provides him with a much better race map.
Smoothies was sent to Conghua after his last start when he encountered substantial blood in the trachea and still managed to fall only a head short at the finish. Note his appearance in the parade ring as he is carrying excess condition but this is a horse that has been very consistent over the course and distance. Derek Leung will try to cross to secure a two-wide position and I make him a place chance.
Maldives has not been to Happy Valley in nearly a year but does have some form over the course and distance, and is well drawn to get every chance under Luke Ferraris. World Famous is also a place chance given the pace scenario.
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