It's great to be back in Hong Kong after spending the past few days in France, where I met many other international racing directors to discuss the latest global racing developments. Even when I'm overseas, I always try to keep up-to-date with the news from Hong Kong, so I know that the Betting and Lotteries Commission met on Wednesday to discuss the Club's proposal of adding five racedays and more simulcast races a season.
One of the Commission members revealed in media reports that they still cannot reach a consensus on this issue, and have now decided to arrange a public deputation in the near future to hear more views. The Club has already had lengthy discussions with the Government and the Commission on this proposal, and I can understand that the community shares different voices on the matter. But the fact is that the Club's regulated mode of operation has been adopted for several decades now and has proved very effective.
As I've mentioned many times before in my blog, I believe our proposal to add five more racedays is a pragmatic one, as it can provide extra revenue for the Government and help maintain the Club's charity contributions, as well as securing employment for many other people from all walks of life. We are also determined to maintain our world-class racing standard, and continue investing in our racecourse facilities to satisfy the needs of our customers.
Some critics have suggested that if the Government grants the Club five additional racedays it will aggravate problem gambling in society, but I have my reservations about this. I believe many of you know about the presence of junket operations in Hong Kong. These groups offer incentives to lure their Hong Kong clients to try their luck at the gaming tables in neighbouring regions. When Hong Kong racing is having its summer break and local racing fans are seeking alternative betting channels, they will very likely become targets of these junket operators, who are closely associated with undesirable activities like credit betting. I believe that the social impact of junket operation, and hence its unregulated and uncontrolled mode of getting customers to bet is far more serious than any problems arising from an addition of five racedays in a season.
If our racing season can be extended, and we are permitted to simulcast more overseas races in Hong Kong during our summer recess, this is actually a very useful way to contain the junket problem, as it will help keep our racing fans in Hong Kong. It will reduce the chances of their resorting to unchecked gaming institutions around the region, or patronising unlicensed and unregulated betting operators.
I hope members of the Commission will take an open and balanced attitude while listening to the views of different parties and stakeholders, and I also hope that those of you who are supportive of our sport in Hong Kong can actively express your views.
No matter what, we shall continue to work at our best to offer our racing fans with exciting races and excellent services. Tomorrow at Sha Tin, there will be 10 races on offer, including the feature race of the day – the Chairman's Trophy. It's surely a race that you should not miss as Viva Pataca has entered this race to gear up for the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup later this month, while veteran miler Armada will take it as preparation for the Champions Mile. Other young guns like Unique Jewellery and More Bountiful will also challenge their older opponents in a group event for the first time. That's why I believe it will be a terrific race.
Personally, I shall be watching the performances of Fellowship in this race. This Paul O'Sullivan-trained runner has performed decently in his last two appearances in Group One events, as he ran a second in the Stewards' Cup and finished third in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup last month. Having drawn nicely for Gate 2 tomorrow, he will again be partnered by Zac Purton as he did in those two races. Let's see if he can deliver another surprising performance at the top level.
In other races, I will also be paying my attention to Appreciation in the Homestead Handicap. Having won twice and a runner-up finish in his first three starts in Hong Kong at 1400m, this 3-year-old New Zealand gelding just ran a disappointing 7th in his last outing at the mile distance. He will return to 1400m tomorrow and let's see if Olivier Doleuze can help this improving young horse to get back on track.
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