As it is early summer the sporting focus has been on events like Royal Ascot, the tennis at Wimbledon and the Confederations Cup in Brazil. Many of you know that I particularly love horse racing and football, but as a sports fan my interest is by no means confined to those two sports – equestrianism is another equine sport I enjoy a lot. Similar to horse racing, equestrianism requires a great partnership between horse and rider; discipline and accurate judgement are vital. While equestrian horses need to show obedience and impeccable control in dressage, they also have the chance to show their agility and jumping ability in show jumping and eventing. I think this larger variety of equestrian events gives horse lovers more ways in which to observe and appreciate a wider range of abilities and the athletic beauty of horses.
With our Sha Tin race meeting taking place on Monday, this weekend without racing in Hong Kong offers a short window so I have taken a brief trip to Europe. I am now in the western German city of Aachen to attend the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen 2013. This top international horse show, held annually in summer, is one of the largest and most popular horse shows in Germany. Its organiser, the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein Society, has a long history and was founded in the late 19th century. Given my previous background in the German horse industry, I also hold a post in the society and am now a member of its advisory board.
What makes this international equestrian festival so famous is that among the various competitions, its dressage and show jumping events are the most prestigious ones in Europe. Given their lofty status, these events attract the top equestrian riders in Europe, as well as elite equestrian riders from around the world. During my stay here I will be able to watch the finals of most of the festival’s competition events. So it comes as a great excitement to me, despite my tight schedule, to have this opportunity to be here and enjoy the events, before I fly back to Hong Kong to attend the Reunification Raceday at Sha Tin on Monday.
When I’m in mid-air the Confederations Cup final will take place in the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. I’m sure many Hong Kong football fans will watch the final action as it features host nation Brazil against reigning World Cup champion Spain. Leading into the match Brazil’s star player Neymar has been the subject of plenty of discussion. He is to join Barcelona in the new season and so he will face some of his future Barca teammates in this important match.
The prospect of Neymar playing alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the new season is exciting for football fans. With exposure to such a talent as that, and with playing experience in top European competition, I think there is a very good chance that he will develop into a more mature player ahead of the World Cup next year.
Similarly, the Club, in line with our strong support of local football development, offers some elite young footballers in Hong Kong the chance to receive professional standard football training through the Manchester United Elite Youth Football Camp programme, which started last year. The programme offers trainees the chance to receive systematic and professional football training, as well as guidance by coaches under the Manchester United Soccer School. I believe the two selected trainees showing the best performance who later go on to receive professional training in United’s academy in England, will find their experiences to be extremely memorable.
Before Monday’s races at Sha Tin I will spend a minute or two to recap the Confederations Cup final action via the Internet. And after you watch what I hope will be a great match, there is more sporting fun for your enjoyment at our Reunification Raceday at Sha Tin. Racing has long been part of the lifestyle of Hong Kong people, and the catchphrase “Racing goes on” became famous both before and after reunification. Being the most popular spectator sport in the city, it’s also delightful to see our race quality being improved year after year so that Hong Kong racing now ranks among the top horseracing circuits in the world.
We have arranged a host of programmes at the racecourse and racegoers can also visit our special game booths for face painting and tattoo stickers with themes related to reunification. What makes it extra special is that the feature race, the Hong Kong Reunification Cup, is the only race other than our internationals for which the national anthem will be played in the presentation ceremony. That will be a great honour for the winning connections. Let’s see which horse will end up winning this event.
The day’s two Cup races will be run at 1200 metres on the All-Weather Track as Races 7 and 8. The first of the two is the CMA HK Brands and Products Expo Cup is a Class 3 with Lord Sinclair carrying top weight of 133 pounds and looking the part as an each-way chance. He gets a favourable shift in barrier draw and trainer Sean Woods strike rate this season is nearly three times higher on dirt as it is on turf. Five of his 13 wins this season have come via our limited AWT programme. Lord Sinclair fits this profile as he run well on the AWT in each of his last two outings. Hypersonic will be last during the early stages but his running style is that of a one-run closer and he is in with a strong place chance along with Bould Mover, a horse that has also drawn wide and comes into the race in good form. Danewin Tiger, a two-time winner on the surface, has the best chance to upset the favourite and figures to get a nice midfield run from his inside draw.
In another feature the Hong Kong Reunification Cup, a Class 2 event which is the 8th of 11 races on the day, Noble Alpha returns for the first time since winning the Macau Hong Kong Trophy in April. He led throughout, when no other horse wanted to lead in a five-horse AWT barrier trial over a wet AWT, winning the sprint by over 13 lengths. This is his first attempt in a sprint but he seems to be in top form, handles the surface and is a solid place chance for me. Slick Bullet is the best each-way chance as he is back to his favourite trip and loves the surface. The others worth watching are Rumba King, a proven performer over this track and distance, and Keen Wongchoy, a horse that should be running on over the closing stages.
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