I mentioned in my previous blog that we would launch a special sweepstakes as one of the major events to mark the Club's 125th Anniversary. Earlier this week, we announced further details of this initiative to the local media and public, and I'm pleased to tell you that it will happen very soon - in fact, the sweepstakes tickets will go on sale this Friday.
I know that cash sweeps were very popular among the local public in the old days, and were an integral part of Hong Kong racing for many years before the introduction of the Mark Six Lottery. As this year marks an important milestone in the Club's history, we feel it's an appropriate time to revive the idea once again and recreate the excitement that sweepstakes generated in days gone by, especially for our older racing fans and others who recall this evergreen favourite.
This time we are issuing the sweepstakes certificates in two themed sets, each featuring 10 designs. The first set, "Hong Kong's Equine Heroes" will bring back many happy memories for our racing fans, as it features 10 legendary horses of past years and honours their great achievements on home or overseas turf.
The second set takes the theme "Club Milestones & Contributions" and features some of the major community projects funded by the Club over the years. I hope that besides making very collectable souvenirs, these attractively-designed sweepstakes certificates will give Hong Kong people a great opportunity to recall the Club's racing development and its many contribution to the local community since 1884.
The proceeds of the 125th Anniversary Sweepstakes – like everything the Club does – will go to community causes. So I hope you will all give the sweepstakes your staunch support between now and the draw date, which is Sunday 15 November.
Since I got back from Germany last week, I've had a lot of feedback from our racing fans through this Blog, especially on the topic of simulcast races. Many of you have asked about the Sprinters Stakes, which will be run in Japan this coming Sunday, 4 October. Although the two local runners originally nominated for this International Group One race – Sacred Kingdom and Enthused – have since withdrawn from the trip, I think it should still be a very notable battle to watch. The preliminary line-up includes Australian raider Scenic Blast, who won the King Stand Stakes at Ascot in June and will likely to come to Hong Kong afterwards for our international races in December. Other contenders like Ultima Thule, a fast-improving Japanese mare who won the Group 2 Centaur Stakes earlier this month, might catch your attention as well.
So although we've decided not to accept local bets on the Sprinters Stakes, we will still arrange a delayed broadcast for viewing after Race 5 in Hong Kong this Sunday, so that we can show the race to local fans and help them understand more about the recent performances of these would-be runners in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races.
Before then, you can enjoy some great racing action and entertainment at our National Day race meeting at Sha Tin tomorrow. In recent years, this has emerged as one of the season's most popular meetings, especially for visitors from the Mainland, so as a celebratory gesture, we will be giving all bona fide tourists free admission to Sha Tin Racecourse.
Once again we've arranged an extensive programme of celebrations and on-course activities, including some spectacular artistic and cultural performances from the Beijing Chinese Opera, Shanxi Mass Drum Troupe and Central Conservatory of Music at our opening ceremony in the Parade Ring which will start at noon time. I look forward to seeing you all there.
We also have 10 interesting races on tomorrow's card, including the Group 3 National Day Cup – the first pattern race of the season. Personally, I will be paying my attention to the performances of Fellowship. Being the winner of National Day Cup last season, he went on to get two runner-up finishes in Hong Kong Group 1 races. He will be partnered by apprentice Derek Leung and enjoyed some weight allowances, I hope he will have a nice run tomorrow. Among his opponents, Egyptian Ra is also capable to stage a challenge, particularly if the weather condition improves tomorrow.
In the Beijing Handicap, I'm optimistic about the performance of Racing Club's runner Young Elite. Having snatched five winners last season, trainer Caspar Fownes has already set his sight to the international races in December. Let's see if the horse can bring more joy to our Racing Club members in his first start of the season. In the meantime, Rocket Power, which will be carrying light weight, and Fearless, which has been in training since early August, should be able to finish close in the race.
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