It was a thrill for myself – and I believe for all Hongkongers – to witness Hong Kong, China’s table tennis team secure fourth place in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday (30 July). The duo of Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem once again channeled Hong Kong’s “can-do” spirit with a truly world-class performance. To take fourth place against such tough competition from China, Japan, North Korea and South Korea was not easy. I am delighted they will be awarded HK$1.5 million for their efforts.
Later today (Wednesday, 31 July) Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet will represent Hong Kong in the badminton mixed doubles quarterfinals. The pair placed fourth at the last Olympics and this time they will bidding to go one step further. Also today Siobhan Haughey will be aiming to add to the bronze medal she won in the women’s 200m freestyle on Monday (29 July) when she competes in the final of the women’s 100m freestyle. No doubt it will be another night of nail-biting excitement for our city! I wish them all the very best of luck.
Meanwhile, I am also pleased to see homegrown jockey Vincent Ho showing his determination and skill after grabbing third place on ROCKING ENDS in a Class 2 1000m handicap on the first day of the Goodwood Festival (Tuesday, 30 July). Given this was his first time to ride at the course, it was a notable achievement. Vincent is an outstanding athlete and his vigorous training and nutrition plan is the same as our Olympics athletes. One of our elite jockeys, he is the first home-grown jockey to win the prestigious LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, which he did last December against the best jockeys from around the world.
Vincent will have two more mounts on Sussex Day tonight, namely CANDLE OF DUBAI in the 3yo+ Fillies & Mares 86-105 Handicap (S2-5, 11.10pm, Hong Kong time) and SIR WINSTON in the HKJC World Pool Handicap (S2-7, 12.20am, Hong Kong time). I wish Vincent every success.
The Group 1 Sussex Stakes (S2-4, 10.35pm, Hong Kong time) over 1608m is the highlight of Wednesday night’s racing from Goodwood and Aidan O’Brien is chasing his seventh win in the race with HENRY LONGFELLOW. The son of DUBAWI was just narrowly beaten by ROSALLION at Royal Ascot last time and that was already an outstanding performance. He is my win and place selection under Ryan Moore, while this year’s 2000 Guineas victor NOTABLE SPEECH is a place chance under William Buick. Unfortunately, the favourite, ROSALLION, had to be scratched, reducing the field to only five.
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