Elite international competition is the ultimate attraction for athletes and spectators across the world and Hong Kong is no exception with a longstanding passion for sports forming one of our city’s most powerful defining features.
Hong Kong’s world-class horseracing has brought tremendous pride and focus on the city, while rugby is also deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s sporting core.
Collectively, horseracing and rugby form Hong Kong’s two greatest sporting passions and tourist attractions, and I am delighted that through a landmark partnership between The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) and the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC), these two iconic sports will unite over the next week to showcase our city’s world-class sport, entertainment and strong community spirit.
For more than 100 years, horseracing and rugby have been synonymous with Hong Kong, drawing fans and tourists from all around the world.
“Racing with Rugby” offers the unique opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s two world-class sports in one epic celebration, reinforcing our city’s position as Asia’s events capital over the next week with the HKFC 10s, the Hong Kong Sevens and Hong Kong’s world-class racing.
In announcing Hong Kong China’s men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens teams, “Racing with Rugby” will be launched in the Parade Ring at Sha Tin Racecourse at 11am today (Sunday, 12 April).
I look forward to attending a special ceremony in the Parade Ring along with Mr Chris Brooke, Chairman of Hong Kong China Rugby, and Mr Nicholas Hunsworth, President of the Hong Kong Football Club.
Following the announcement of the line-up for the Hong Kong China Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens teams, racegoers will be treated to a thrilling afternoon of world-class horse racing and entertainment, as well as having the opportunity to meet the rugby stars.
The interaction between racing and rugby continues on Wednesday (15 April) with a rugby-themed Happy Wednesday when Happy Valley’s legendary race night party will celebrate rugby week, coinciding with the HKFC 10s, the world’s premier ten-a-side competition held at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley from 14-16 April.
Sports fans will be able to enjoy a day of top-class rugby before heading over to the racecourse for Hong Kong’s world-famous night races in the heart of the city.
Adding to the entertainment will be famed singer Jason Donovan and music group BABBA, while fans will be able purchase Hong Kong, China jerseys and rugby merchandise at specific locations in Sha Tin Racecourse today and at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday.
This sets the scene perfectly for the Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium, from Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a committed supporter of sport and, as extension of that commitment, The HKJC Volunteer Team will host a booth in the fan village at both the HKFC 10s and the Hong Kong Sevens, offering sports and interactive activities.
The HKJC has expanded its booth at the Hong Kong Sevens this year, where its Volunteer Team will deliver live band performances on stage. The HKJC will also continue to support outreach programmes and youth rugby competitions and providing tickets to students, the elderly and the underprivileged so they can experience the thrill of rugby both on and off the pitch.
Joao Moreira could not have hoped for a better start to his short-term stint as stable retained jockey for Caspar Fownes with four winners and a second from nine rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (8 April).
Joao’s talents and skills were on display to the obvious delight of his supporters and his presence in Hong Kong will certainly enhance Caspar’s ambitions of winning a fifth trainers’ championship.
Joao and Caspar link up in six races at Sha Tin this afternoon.
With 27 meetings left in the season, the stage is set for a thrilling battle for the trainers’ championship with Mark Newnham (47 wins), Caspar (47), Danny Shum (42), David Hayes (41) and Francis Lui (40) all pressing for the title.
At Sha Tin today, the Class 2 Pilkem Handicap is carded as Race 11 at 5.45pm and will be run over 1200m for prizemoney of HK$2.84 million.
The speed will be good with RISING FORCE going forward from gate eight to lead. SKY TRUST will follow RISING FORCE across to be prominent with PAKISTANI LEGACY. SELF IMPROVEMENT (Britney Wong), CRIMSON FLASH and MAGIC CONTROL (Derek Leung) all have early pace and will also settle in the front half of the field.
CRIMSON FLASH finished strongly to beat BRAVE STAR and YOUNG CHAMPION on 18 March, over this trip. Andrea Atzeni will have CRIMSON FLASH in a perfect position from gate three and he is my win and place selection.
GALACTIC VOYAGE impressed by winning two races over this course and distance, before stepping up in class when fifth to YOUNG CHAMPION on 29 March. He was slowly away on that occasion but generally races back in the field. Alexis Badel is the new rider for GALACTIC VOYAGE, and he is a place chance.
YOUNG CHAMPION was rewarded for his consistency after three placings in a row in this class and distance, when he defeated PATCH OF STARS on 29 March. Hugh Bowman takes over on YOUNG CHAMPION, having his first ride on the horse and he is a place chance from a middle draw.
RISING FORCE has been in excellent form in Class 3 and rises in grade after a dominant win beating GENEVA over this trip on 29 March. Richard Kingscote retains the ride, and he is a place chance.
PAKISTANI LEGACY also steps up in class after chasing hard behind rising star HOT DELIGHT in fast time on 22 March. PAKISTAN LEGACY has been in Conghua since and should get a good run from his inside gate for Karis Teetan and will be competitive.
There are numerous other chances in a great race to finish the meeting and COLOURFUL KING (Zac Purton) can run well, despite his top weight and outside draw. SKY TRUST will also be competitive, with Joao Moreira aboard. SKY TRUST, who ran flat in his last race, was diagnosed again to be a roarer which is of concern.
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