Racing has always been a very competitive sport and it’s not easy for any trainer or jockey to stay at the top of the game for more than a few years, let alone for a quarter of a century. In Hong Kong racing, I think trainer John Moore is one of the few who can claim that sort of record. Since he joined our trainers' ranks back in 1985, he has saddled more than 1,200 winners – making him to be the trainer with most winners in Hong Kong’s racing history – including over 30 winners at Group 1 level. He has not only featured year after year among our leading trainers, winning the trainers' championship six times to date, but has also been the perennial top earner, having earned the most prize money in each of the past six seasons.
Among our Club jockeys we also have Frenchman Gerald Mosse, who has won countless major races in Europe, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions over the past 25 years. In Hong Kong he holds a particularly special record, as his winning trophy collection includes every Classic race on our calendar. The only race currently denying him a full grand slam of G1 titles in Hong Kong is the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup, and that was only promoted to HKG1 level last season.
In football, whether you’re a fan of Manchester United or not, I'm sure you will have enormous respect for their manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Though his team’s 1-0 victory against Sunderland at the weekend was not one of their most sparkling performances, it meant a lot to this wily Scotsman, as it marked his 25th anniversary as manager of the club.
As you all know, Sir Alex is also a passionate racehorse owner, just as I am equally passionate about football. His competitive spirit and desire to keep winning is no less strong on the racetrack than it is on the football field. He is truly a legendary figure in British football, having already achieved great success in winning the old European Cup Winners Cup with unfancied Scottish side Aberdeen before being appointed at Old Trafford in 1986. And since then the statistics really say it all – a total of 27 trophies, including 12 Premier League titles and two Champions League successes in 1999 and 2008.
In recognition of his wonderful accomplishments over the years, Manchester United have renamed the north stand of Old Trafford in his honour, the first time they have named one of their stands after an individual. They will also erect a statue of Sir Alex at the stand entrance on its completion next year.
I have always admired in particular his ability to motivate his players, as shown by the frequency with which they grab last-gasp victories or equalisers. He also has great ability to bring on young players through the club’s youth system and blend them seamlessly with top talent from overseas, creating consistently fresh and well-balanced sides year after year. From Eric Cantona and David Beckham to Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, these players all reflect his magic touch. I believe English and even world football would not be the same without Sir Alex Ferguson.
On the subject of magic, let’s turn our focus back to Hong Kong horse racing, as you can join us for an especially mesmerising evening at our Magic in the Valley meeting tonight. We’ve invited top international magician Bobby Borgia to come to Hong Kong and demonstrate his amazing skills to our racegoers in the Beer Garden, performing some illusions he has specially created on racing themes. Borgia is particularly renowned in the US, where he has regularly performed in Las Vegas and Hollywood. So don’t miss the chance to witness his debut Hong Kong performance at Happy Valley this evening, alongside some great sporting entertainment as always.
For the eight races tonight, the rainy weather especially the rain last night, plus the seeding of the winter grass, should result in a soft track which may create a reversal of form. I’m looking today for horses who can handle softer ground condition as we usually have in Hong Kong.
The expected pace of the Los Angeles Handicap (2nd section) should be good with Bumper Strike leading from Gate 1 and he should be joined by Real Dragon who has to overcome his draw 12. Great Renown should be well positioned and has performed well for our new trainer Richard Gibson. He’s one of my picks but it’s uncertain if he can handle soft ground. Romancing Tamar will be raced in the front, too. His work is very good and he has a proven soft track record which makes him to be my favourite. Meanwhile, I expect a good performance from Baitiwu after his encouraging last start, as well as Travel Guide who is improving and was placed on a soft going last season. Another interesting outsider is Wiser who steps up in distance and has a wet track record overseas.
The Boston Handicap will see a good to slow pace which gives a slight advantage of horses who in the front of the field. My Goal should take up his usual role to lead and he is an interesting horse with a chance for me because he is improving since been trained by Peter Ng as well as he has won on the soft. My first choice of the race is Regency Winner with his good draw from Gate 2 should put him in a good position behind the leaders, and with his proven soft track form ticks all the boxes. Very Well is an improving horse with wet track form at overseas. He and two other contenders, Bouncer and Flora Danica, have place chances for me in this mile event.
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