The new racing season got off to an encouraging and successful start on Monday as more than 46,000 people came along to join our curtain raiser at Sha Tin, while the turnover of HK$827 million was the highest opening day figure for the past five years. I'm delighted to see so many racing fans showing their support at the first meeting of the season, and I hope you all enjoyed our exciting races and great on-course atmosphere.
I thought our pre-race event – the Trainers Ride For Charity – was equally entertaining and no less competitive, as Me Tsui just edged Derek Cruz by a short head in winning this nail-biting contest. Actually, all three participating trainers, the other being Paul O'Sullivan, showed great dedication in preparing themselves for this event and giving it their best shot, knowing that it would benefit their chosen charities whatever the result.
Unhappily, though, the day finished with a bit of sadness as we learned later that one of our elderly racing fans had collapsed in the Members' Betting Hall at Sha Tin Racecourse and passed away in hospital that same evening.
From what I understand our Club staff immediately attended to the man after he collapsed, and within one minute our on-course medical team from the St John Ambulance Service were also on the spot to give him initial medical care. Our staff stayed with him until his family members arrived hospital, but sadly his condition later deteriorated. Here I should like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Turning back to our races tonight, we will be hosting the first night race meeting of the new season, as well as kicking off this year's CSL Million Challenge. Although the weather has been unusually hot lately for this time of year, it is always a bit cooler during the night races. While many of the public facilities at Happy Valley are air conditioned, you all can also visit the popular Beer Garden to enjoy a relaxing evening after work with your friends. With a stunning trackside view of exciting races while enjoying a pint of chilling beer, I'm sure the Beer Garden will give you a very unique racing experience at Happy Valley Racecourse. So I hope the attendance and turnover will be just as encouraging as for Monday's meeting, and will augur well for the season to come.
For the eight races on the card tonight, I will be interested to see the performances of Magic King and Perfect Match. These two four-year-old horses have both delivered promising runs at Happy Valley at the end of last season. As both horses have good draws and partnering with champion jockey Douglas Whyte, I will not be surprised if they again perform nicely tonight.
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