I’m sure many of you caught the 2018 World Cup qualifier between Hong Kong and Qatar last night. Having attended the game at the Mongkok Stadium, the Hong Kong team played well and I was gutted to see them trailing by three goals. However, to the credit of the players, the team fully showed Hong Kong’s “can-do” spirit, and “never-say-die” attitude, scoring two late goals in the final minutes of the game.
Although the equalizing goal didn’t come and the team suffered their first defeat in this World Cup campaign, I believe most locals like me have been very satisfied with their play. They showed the weakness in the Qatari defense and the team should be proud of their performance. With fans’ support, I’m sure the Hong Kong team will be able to maintain such high spirit and get back to winning ways in their next qualifying match when away against Bhutan next month.
Back to our season opener at Sha Tin on Sunday, I must express my thanks for the huge support from our racing fans as we enjoyed a more than resilient start for the new season. The day’s turnover at HK$1.147 billion was the all-time highest for our season opener, and the attendance of more than 72,000 was the second highest ever recorded. It’s an auspicious start and I am quite satisfied with the results.
Two of our new faces also shared in the optimism on the first day, as Chad Schofield notched a winner with Strathmore. It’s such an important victory for him to get off the mark that soon in the season opener. Fans also showed their strong support for Kei Chiong, giving her the loudest cheers among her peers during the opening ceremony in the parade ring. She did not disappoint them either, nearly making all when running a close second in her second ride with Born To Win. It’s was 13-time champion Douglas Whyte and his mount Gold Dragon who managed to nip Kei’s mount en route to an opening meeting treble for Douglas, a feat matched narrowly in the last race of the day from our reigning champion, Joao Moreira.
Caspar Fownes drew the first blood as his stable horse I’m In Charge won the season’s first feature the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup. It was an impressive and decisive win, and I look forward to seeing if the horse can continue to improve, and as Caspar said, secure a berth in the international races in December.
Tonight, we open Happy Valley for the season and, as we did at Sha Tin, will unveil a few new venues. I think you will especially enjoy the enhancements to Farrier On 2, formerly the public betting hall, just above the beer garden. The televisions are everywhere so you won’t miss any information or racing action, and the media wall is particularly engaging.
Tonight’s seventh race, the Middle Bay Handicap, is a Class 3 at 1650 metres and prize money for this grade has been increased 9.9 percent to HK$1,165,000. Speedy Longwah will go forward from his wide draw and may take up the running as the pace is expected to be moderate. He has been favoured in each of his last four races, has blinkers back on tonight, and has been consistent over the track and distance.
My top choice is the lightly weighted Superoi, a horse that has had some tough luck in his most recent races, but has the advantage of a much better draw tonight. He should get a nice run from midfield and this looks to be a good opportunity for his first-ever Hong Kong win. Who’sthedude will appreciate the step up in trip and has been working well for this. The European import did win over a mile at Kempton as a two-year-old and is a place chance along with the very consistent Supreme Essence and the late-running Willie Invictus.
Comment
