We had two pattern races at Sha Tin racecourse last Sunday and it was great to see such a strong showing from our star runners who thrilled racing fans with grandstand finishes in both events. Zac Purton must have been the happiest person at the racecourse as the reigning champion jockey not only notched wins in both HKG2 events - the Premier Bowl and the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy - he also added three other wins to score a five-timer on the day, his first in Hong Kong since he moved here in 2007/08.
With victory in the Premier Bowl, Aerovelocity has emerged as a new force in our top sprinting ranks. Even though he’s now a six-year-old, he has kept improving through the grades and is as progressive as any such younger horses. It was exciting to see him drive down the inside to snatch the win, but I was even more thrilled watching the Sha Tin Trophy as two of our past Horses of the Year, Military Attack and Ambitious Dragon, each delighted their many fans. Both carried a high weight and dashed so well to the wire, as did our Champion Miler Gold-Fun.
In winning the race, Military Attack showed he was not rusty for his first start of the season and that he is still as capable as ever, given the fact that this was only his first start over a mile after summer. And I think it’s even more pleasing to see Ambitious Dragon delivering such a decent performance in third, given his background. Our two-time champion is one of the best horses ever to have raced in Hong Kong and he is held in great affection by many racing fans, so it was fantastic to see him run so well after an 18-month lay-off, as well as being kept three wide throughout the race. Many of those that contested this mile race will meet again next time in the LONGINES Jockey Club Cup or the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile in four weeks. I will continue to keep an eye on their preparations ahead of this important final step-up race ahead of the internationals in December.
Before all that excitement occurred, I made a short trip last Friday to Beijing, where the Club hosted its annual Charity Wine dinner at the HKJC Beijing Clubhouse. Over 60 Club Members and guests participated generously in this year's event, with the charity auction raising a total of RMB5.22 million. This will go to the "Group the Power of Love" charity fund under the Ministry of Civil Affairs to help those with heart disease and the underprivileged.
Among the items put on auction, I must mention one in particular – an art piece created from paper by 15-year-old Cheng Haiyan.
Haiyan is a student at Mianyang Youxian District Zhongxing HKJC Junior Middle School, which was funded and rebuilt by the Club after the massive earthquake in Sichuan in 2008. For me, it was a very meaningful art work, as it not only expressed her personal hopes and love for her family, but also her gratitude to the Club. It fetched RMB130,000 in the auction, and it was even more pleasing that the China Social Workers Association pledged to contribute a matching amount to support Haiyan and her school in their future development.
Turning our attention back to local racing, more action will again be on offer at Happy Valley this evening, before we are to have a midweek break for local races next week, and all of you can continue to enjoy the great atmosphere from our Oktoberfest meeting. For the eight races on the card, the Yew Handicap is the last race of the day and is run a Class 2 over 1200m. There are plenty of speedsters in the race and will put pressure on each other which should result in a good to fast tempo. To overcome the high draw, Charity Joy may push along with the leaders or try to compete with Master Kochanwong, London China Town and Mr Ginger for good spots just off the pace. Widely drawn Key Witness and Cour Valant may be taken back. Master Kochanwong is working well and is my first pick, together with Key Witness who will be helped by the fast pace to come from the back. Smart Manis for me a place chance as is Happy Yeah Yeah.
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