I know you'll have been as saddened as I was to learn the news about the tragic fire that claimed nine lives and seriously injured many more in Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It's the most serious blaze to affect Hong Kong for some 15 years and has also left many residents of the affected blocks homeless. I'd like to offer my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones, and wish a speedy recovery to those who have suffered injury.
As soon as we heard about the tragedy, our Charities Trust got in touch with the Government's Social Welfare Department to determine what sort of assistance was needed for the affected families. The same afternoon, we offered an immediate donation of HK$3.5 million to help these families meet their needs at this difficult time, through the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund which we set up last year with the specific purpose of providing rapid assistance to victims of natural disasters, accidents or epidemics.
What is especially sad about this case is that the police and fire services apparently have suspicions that the fire may have been started deliberately. Hopefully the cause can be established soon and if indeed it's found to be arson, the culprits can be swiftly tracked down. For the Club's part, we will continue to work with the relevant agencies and see whether any further help is needed.
Tragedies like these can happen at any moment, so I always think that we should cherish all opportunities to spend time with our families and loved ones. We're hoping that thousands of local residents young and old will do just that today at a Sha Tin Family Arts and Fun Day we're staging at Penfold Park, in the infield of Sha Tin Racecourse.
This is one of our community programmes under a project called "FAMILY: A Jockey Club Initiative for a Harmonious Society", which we set up in 2007 with funding of HK$250 million from the Jockey Club Charities Trust. Through this project, we hope to promote the message of family health, happiness and harmony – what we call "the Three Hs" – to all families in Hong Kong.
I've just come back from this morning's opening ceremony and it was really a pleasure to see so many happy faces there. We've organised a wide variety of interactive games, DIY workshops and other activities that family members can join together, as well as pony rides for the children and, of course, photo opportunities with the Club's adorable Shetland ponies.
Our visitors will also have the chance to see some remarkable art works created by local disabled artists, as well as others by artists from the nearby Fo Tan studios, and by students from our neighbouring Jockey Club Ti-I College. There are also some amazing art pieces made by our own Club farriers from recycled horseshoes.
Over the last three decades since the Club started building Sha Tin Racecourse on what was then virgin reclaimed land, not only has the Sha Tin racecourse developed into one of the world's most renowned racetracks, we have also witnessed the rapid development of Sha Tin to become an exemplary modern new town. The Club is particularly proud to be associated with many prominent public facilities in Sha Tin and in particular the Penfold Park, with its spacious green areas and artificial lakes, has been serving many local families over the years. So in a way, we've grown in harmony with Sha Tin and always felt a special bond with the District.
Tomorrow, tens of thousands of racing fans will be here at the Grandstands of Sha Tin Racecourse to enjoy ten exciting races on the card. In the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Cup is a Class 3 event over the straight 1000m. As most races at this distance, we should see a good to fast pace. Horses which are drawn in outside gates – the side closer to the grandstand – have an advantage especially if they can hold the outside rail or if they are able to cross other horses and get to the rail. Space Race out of Gate 7 will try to take the lead. He's working well and has a place chance for me. But I believe he will face strong opposition from Jade Christy – a last time course and distance winner on his debut. Despite this four-year-old is going up in class this time, he is working very well and with his good draw of 14, I think he will not be easy for other runners to beat. Supreme Jewellery from Gate 12 is also working well recently. He will be Jade Christy’s main competitor and both he and Xi Ying Men from Gate 13 should have positive top-three chance, too.
The Peninsula is one of my favourite hotels in Hong Kong, as well as in Tokyo and Shanghai, and they stand like the Jockey Club for excellence and his owner Sir Michael Kadoorie is known for his attention to details. In the Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup this year, the expected pace should be good to fast and Best Fit, Handsome Zulu and Just Fantastic are expected to fight for the lead. This is a very competitive race and though Handsome Zulu has not raced on the All-Weather Track before, he will be out of Gate 8 and I think he will be a good each way chance for me. Ole Ole is a last time course and distance winner and has a good chance to perform well again. Military Move will also be one of the favourites and I believe he has a good chance to win this race, but I found that from Gate 11 he is not unbeatable. Adoration is working very well and from Gate 3 he should be well positioned and could spoil the party for other more-favoured horses in this mile event.
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