Another top local horse will bid farewell to local racing fans at Sha Tin tomorrow, as Vengeance Of Rain, the 2005 World Racing Championship winner, will soon return to his birthplace in New Zealand to start a new life of leisure following his recent retirement from racing.
I'm sure you'll agree with me that it was incredible to see this true champion make such an impressive comeback from his heart irregularity problem in early-2006, returning to his very best form to win the Dubai Sheema Classic last March. This was a priceless achievement for Hong Kong racing as it was the first overseas victory by a locally-trained horse at International Group One level over the "classic" distance (2,000-2,400 metres).
Vengeance Of Rain's career earnings of HK$75.4 million make him the highest earner of any horse in Hong Kong's racing history so far, eclipsing even the record of the mighty Silent Witness. They also place him 11th on the list of the world's highest-earning horses, putting him in the same company as the great Australasian mares Makybe Diva and Sunline, Japanese champions Deep Impact and Admire Moon, and top American dirt runner and Dubai World Cup winner Cigar.
Personally, I think he's a great racehorse, always has a special aura, and special personality that definitely is the same case as Silent Witness too. For me, seeing him winning in Dubai, beating world class field and sharing this with the winning team - Chow's family, Trainer and Jockey, is something very special.
His glamorous career also demonstrates that there is a great deal more to horse racing than betting, as this horse has shown us the fighting spirit of a true ''sportsman'', and has over the years brought a lot of pride and prestige to Hong Kong. So I hope you all will join me to say goodbye to this wonderful horse at Sha Tin tomorrow.
Before talking further about Sunday's exciting programme, can I say how delighted we were with the wonderful support you've all given to our Action Red Packets campaign that ended on Tuesday. In total we raised $3.59 million over this short period. As the Club has already pledged a $10 million initial contribution and will now be contributing the full amount of the matching donation of $20 million, we will totally transfer a sum of $33.59 million to the Hong Kong Red Cross China Relief Fund. Once again I want to offer my heartfelt thanks for the generosity you have shown to the snowstorm victims on the Mainland.
Going back to our race meeting tomorrow, we can look forward to a rematch between sprint champions Sacred Kingdom and Absolute Champion in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize - the second leg of the Champion Sprint Series. With Sacred Kingdom regained his top form recently, I fancy his chance of seeking revenge for his defeat by Absolute Champion in last month's Centenary Sprint Cup, and I'm sure this will be a race that you can't afford to miss. Sunday's meeting will also give you another chance to review our 4-year-old elites, who have a final chance to qualify for classic honours in the Group 2 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial. I will keep an eye on Helene Mascot and see if this Irish colt can repeat its success in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile last month.
Comment
