The 39th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Melbourne is not only very significant, it is also a priceless opportunity for the international horseracing racing community to collaborate, learn and advance.
As it did with so many other things in our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted ARC scheduling and prevented us from meeting in Melbourne last year as planned. The delay, however, has done nothing to dull a shared desire among administrators to explore issues that are highly relevant to racing, not only in our individual jurisdictions, but on a global scale.
The pandemic taught us many things, including the value of resilience and agility, and with dedication and perseverance we were able to continue racing in unprecedented and challenging times.
Now, with COVID-19 restrictions easing, the Melbourne conference theme is aptly titled “Breaking Barriers” with a three-day programme which will examine critical issues including the evolving racing and wagering landscape, fan engagement, horse ownership, equine and human welfare and will extend further to explore climate change and sustainability as well as looking at technological disruptors, integrity and future expectations.
I am delighted at the excellent line-up of speakers assembled, including elite athletes, key stakeholders in racing and global sports, as well as senior administrators and global leaders who are forging new paths across disruptive technologies, business, entertainment, investigative practices and academia.
Our goal is to identify the barriers to a better future for our sport and how we can break those down those obstacles – hence the theme of the 39th conference – for the benefit of the many generations of racing fans to come.
I believe we are collectively emerging from the pandemic in a more resilient position and with the benefit of lessons learnt. However, there are fundamental threats and barriers to our future success including the integrity of racing, especially as it relates to illegal betting which threatens racing’s commercial health, the social acceptability of racing – particularly due to changing values around horse welfare and gambling – as well as our ageing fan base and relevance to Generation Z, which will test racing’s financial sustainability.
There are also issues concerning the environmental sustainability of racing amidst the climate crisis, not least through its increasing impact on supply chains, health risks for horses and participants and extreme weather events.
Racing is at a critical juncture in its history at a time of significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities and the ARC again provides the platform for the promotion of knowledge sharing, thought leadership, networks and friendship and the growth and development of racing.
The next three days promise to be very rewarding and I look forward to engaging in discussions on a wide range of topics with speakers, delegates and guests as we approach the challenges facing racing in a unified and collaborative manner.
One of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s abiding principles is to continuously strive for the betterment of society and last week I had the privilege of attending the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Spring Luncheon, where we acknowledged the amazing work of Hong Kong’s NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations).
The NGOs have been the real heroes of the COVID pandemic with their incredible humanitarian work and, among the Trust-funded projects represented at the luncheon last Friday, were over 220 partners. Our close partnerships with these various groups – many of which have lasted for decades – are based on deep understanding as we make collective efforts to cope with emergency needs of the society, gain insights into enhancing sector capacity and developing solutions to address many deep-rooted social issues, and providing resources via our Charities Trust donations to fulfil our purpose for the betterment of society.
We also announced our refreshed priorities and discussed the way forward to improve our partnership in building a stronger community.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Tsuen Wan Handicap for Class 3 horses is run over 1650m at 10.50pm with prizemoney of HK$1,900,000 to finish an excellent card of racing.
The speed should be good with Master Tornado contesting the lead from gate five and Comet Splendido, Nimble Nimbus and Atomic Beauty likely to go forward from their wider draws.
Jumbo Legend had been in great form at the course over shorter trips before stepping to the 1650m for the first time and sitting midfield one off the fence, storming home late to beat all but Rising From Ashes on 18 January. Vincent Ho will have Jumbo Legend in a perfect spot from gate four and Jumbo Legend is a win and place chance.
Master Tornado led in that race after drawing an inside gate for the first time in Hong Kong and fought on well to finish a close third. Matthew Chadwick should be able to lead again here from gate five and I make Master Tornado a place chance.
Gallant Waking has had four runs at Happy Valley this season for two wins and two seconds. He went back early from a wide gate at Sha Tin on 24 January and was caught wide before making a mid-race move to take the lead early in the straight, fading to be unplaced behind Super Sunny Sing. That was a tough run and with better luck and Zac Purton riding for the first time here, I make Gallant Waking a place chance running home late.
Nimble Nimbus was very good at Sha Tin at his last start when stalking the speed and finding the front on the corner to finish second to Sword Point over 1800m on 8 January. Nimble Nimbus has a good record at the course and distance and with Hugh Bowman taking the ride for the first time he is a place chance.
There are many other winning chances in this race, including last start winners Loyal Baby and Star Contact, as well as Zone D and Comet Splendido all with place chances.
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