Many of you will be aware that we conducted an adjourned inquiry last Thursday into the prohibited substance case concerning Shahjee, with the Stewards' Panel decided to disqualify Shahjee from his race results on 20 March. His Owner Syed Pervez Hussain tendered an appeal against the decision the next day, but subsequently withdrew the request over the past weekend.
I know Mr Hussain well as he has been a Club Member and Owner in Hong Kong for at least two decades. Two of the horses he has previously owned, Mughal Prince and Mughal Palace, both became familiar and quite special names among local racing fans in the 1990s. He is well respected in local racing circles and it's just unfortunate that the incident happened to involve his horse – for sure he had no personal involvement in it.
But whatever the circumstances, we have to place the utmost importance on all cases where racehorses test positive for prohibited substances. Only by doing so can we effectively perform our gatekeeping role and maintain the fairness and high integrity of our sport. On this occasion, the positive drug test result left us with little option but to disqualify Shahjee from his victory. I'm pleased to learn of Mr Hussain’s understanding of the situation and his decision not to proceed with his appeal. He also acknowledged the Club’s history of donating to charitable causes in Hong Kong and thus had no intention of seeking any compensation from the Club. These all show that he’s a true sportsman and gentleman. All credit to him for this decision.
In the inquiry, it revealed that the urine samples provided by the Stables Assistant who attended Shahjee, were found to contain high concentrations of ketamine and its metabolites. Based on this finding and other supporting evidences, the Panel members are in the view that the Stables Assistant being the probable source of contamination. I think it highlights that the abuse of ketamine or other so-called recreational drugs, especially by the younger generation, is no longer just a social problem. It can also have implications for the racing industry at large, and we have to take necessary actions to address this issue.
In fact, we have already being doing that for some while, as the Club arranges ongoing courses for its stable staff to enhance their awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, reminding them that it can affect the health and safety of themselves, their work colleagues and the racehorses they look after.
We also conduct random prohibited substance testing on all jockeys and apprentices. Even before this incident, we were already preparing for the extension of these testing mechanisms to all horse handlers. I can tell you that such testing will come into force in the very near future, and I hope that these strengthened checks will have a deterrent effect on anyone who may be exposed to drug problems.
I am confident that our efforts to maintain the sport's integrity have the full support of our Owners, trainers and the racing public, and the steady growth in turnover this season would certainly appear to reflect that. With this strong support and the continued economic revival, we look likely to register quite a healthy increase in total racing turnover at the end of this season - though not necessarily in our net gross margin after tax and duty payments.
The situation also looks quite positive for our French counterparts France Galop, as I saw a news report last month saying that official French betting operator Pari Mutuel Urbain had announced an 8.3% turnover increase for the first three months of this year to 2.58 billion euros. Should this trend continue, they will be on course for total turnover to hit 10 billion euros for the first time in their history.
I'm delighted that tonight I'll have the chance to renew acquaintances with some of my old friends from France Galop on home turf at Happy Valley, as we will host the first of two J'aime Happy Wednesday nights and stage two special feature races, the France Galop Cup and Le French May Trophy.
It’s the third time we've hosted host this special racenight, which not only recognises the close relationship between Hong Kong and French racing, but also offers racing fans the opportunity to understand more about French culture and sample some traditional Gallic atmosphere. If you join us at the Valley tonight, you can enjoy a selection of French wines and some specially-prepared food treats such as Escargots de Bourgogne and Duck Rillettes. You can also pose for photos in front of the giant Macaron Tower that we're setting up in the Beer Garden. So do please come along with your friends and colleagues to soak up the French ambience and enjoy some great racing, too.
Among the eight races on the card, the Arc de Triomphe Championships Handicap is expected to be run at a good to slow pace, which will give horses on the speed a little advantage. Blade Force from Gate 1 should be able to take the lead and with his good form over course and distance, as well as the Tony Cruz stable is now on fire, he is one of the horses with a nice chance in this race. His main opponent I see in Moon Chaser who has switched to Caspar Fownes stable, and the trainer is eager to make up ground in the Trainer’s Championship. Judging from his trackwork, I think this horse has been improved. With Brett Prebble on board and drawn in Gate 3, it has further enhanced his chances. But I would not surprised to see Able Dragon in the finish with the Almond Lee stable hitting form, as well as Supreme Tycoon having drawn Gate 4 and with some solid performances in mile events in the Valley in his earlier runs of the season.
The France Galop Cup is a very competitive Class 3 race with an expected good pace which gives all horses from a pace perspective a good chance, but having inside draw is an added advantage. Vintage Hussler is an upcoming four-year-old who is in terrific form over 1000m at the Valley and from Gate 6 with his gate speed, he should have a good chance to lead and win the race. The question is if he stays the extra distance, but I’m optimistic he can do so. Impeccable is working well and start the race from Gate 4, he has a good chance to test Vintage Hussler. Groovy is working well and has enough gate speed to overcome his draw 11, and he should give both Vintage Hussler and Impeccable a run for the money. Sunny Fay which Brett Prebble preferred over Groovy is an interesting starter who is working well. Gate 10 will make it not easy for him, but he has the ability to get a top-three finish.
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