In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of celebrities and artists in Hong Kong become gripped by the thrill and excitement of our fascinating sport, and decide to participate as racehorse owners. This situation is similar to that in the UK, and I know that the British media gave racing closer than usual news coverage on a celebrity at Chester Racecourse in midweek, as Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney had his first runner at what is his local track on Wednesday.
However, Pippy, the two-year-old horse owned by Rooney and his wife, Coleen, finished last in a field of eight runners in a Class 2 conditions sprint. Pippy’s run marked a first-time venture into horse ownership for Rooney and his wife, who have three horses under training by trainer Tom Dascombe – a business partner to Rooney’s Manchester United teammate Michael Owen.
Although Rooney’s Pippy, and the celebrity couple’s another runner Tomway, which raced at Chester on Thursday, could not snatch a maiden win for their owners this week, I hope that they will perform better in their future starts, so as to bring their owners a first taste of success in the winner’s enclosure. I’m sure that once that first win comes, they too will be well and truly hooked.
The racing sport often requires patience before the rewards arrive. But Rooney has no time for patience this weekend and he certainly needs to take his focus back to football as he and United will be playing their last league game of the season, away against Sunderland on Sunday night HK time.
It will be a fight to the wire for this year's Premiership title, as the two sides of Manchester – City and United – now have the same number of points and are separated only by goal difference, with City enjoying an eight-goal advantage. Comparatively, City appear to have the easier game on paper as they host Queen’s Park Rangers, who will be fighting for their Premier League survival. But this season we've already seen many unexpected results, so nothing can be taken for granted. Like most local sports fans, I know that my eyes will be glued to the TV set for these two defining matches on Sunday night.
Apart from football, I believe many of you might have prepared your celebrating events with your family, or taking your mothers out for Mother’s Day dinner tomorrow night. I expect that many of you have now seen some of the HKJC short info-segments that are currently being broadcast on local TV stations. Of them, I am especially enjoyed one of the episodes about a mother who worked for the Club for 30 years and now has two children following in her footsteps to maintain the family link. I think this endearing vignette not only demonstrates domestic harmony and this family's deep bond with the Club, but also highlights our important role as one of the largest employers in Hong Kong.
In fact Mrs Cheung, the mother cast in this episode, worked as a tea service assistant with us before retiring several years ago, while her daughter Mandy is now working in our Property Department and her son Chi-fai at our Sha Tin racing stables. It's clear that they've had a lot of enjoyment from working together in the same organisation. It also gives more chances for Mrs Cheung to show support, and for Mandy and Chi-fai to share some of their light moments at work or chat on topics familiar to each other, which is something that always helps strengthen family relationships.
It's no coincidence that we have brought forward this weekend's racing to Saturday, so that families all over Hong Kong can have the opportunity to celebrate tomorrow's Mother's Day together. No matter how you decide to mark this important occasion, I hope you all have a great time.
Before turning your focus to mothers and later football tomorrow, you can first enjoy our races which will begin shortly at Sha Tin. Today is Chairmen’s Day, which is definitely the day with the most trophy races of the season, as nine of our ten races are named after past Chairmen of the Club, and trophies will be presented to all the winning owners after these races.
Today's featured ninth race is the Class 2 Chan Trophy, presented to the Club by former Chairman Dr John C C Chan. The race will be run at a mile, which may produce a similar script to last week, as Military Attack seeks to duplicate the success of Xtension. Military Attack has performed better at Happy Valley in his limited runs here since arriving from England, but should prove equally effective at Sha Tin. I will also be interested in the very consistent Hot Shot and also last start winner Supreme Knight, which steps up in trip and grade, after a determined run two weeks ago. Aomen is back to Sha Tin and has a place chance for me.
The last race of the day is the Li Cup, which was presented to the Club by the children of the late Mr Alan F S Li. It is a Class 3 at 1400m, a distance that Sea Diamond and Mi Savvy will attempt for the first time in their first season of racing. Both horses are 3-year-olds with potential and both figure to help make the running. Forever Elation and Giggles Forever are both in with a chance in their current form.
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