Last Saturday, we arranged our first non-raceday overseas simulcast of this season, bringing you five races from the Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley Racecourse. I would say that both from a viewing and betting perspective, your responses to the simulcast were very encouraging, as there were a lot of racing fans stayed at our off-course betting branches to watch the races and we had a total turnover of HK$40.6 million, of which, HK$5.4 million of betting duty went to the public purse. It shows that the Government's decision to allow us 15 more simulcast days was a positive move for the whole community. It will definitely benefit the development of our racing business in the long run.
I'm glad to see how much interest you all showed in following these simulcast races and we will be bringing more overseas simulcast races from your viewing in the future. Today we have also arranged three Group One races and a Group Two race from the Victoria Derby race day at Flemington Racecourse. Among them, the Mackinnon Stakes will feature some of the key runners for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday. So this will give a nice opportunity for you all to watch their performances and know more about their recent forms.
Though we had no midweek race meeting this week, there has been no shortage of interesting racing developments. On Tuesday we revealed the names of some top class overseas runners that have been invited to take part in our International Trials next month. I think the participation of these foreign runners will not only help these overseas contenders improve their preparation work prior to the main event in December, it will also reacquaint Hong Kong racing fans with their capabilities. I would like to say a word of praise to our colleagues in the Racing Department for a good job well done.
With the Club's support, the Hong Kong Equestrian Team has also done a great job over the past week in the 11th National Games held in Jinan, Shandong Province. Following the team's success in winning a bronze medal in the team jumping event last Sunday, team member Patrick Lam went on to win gold in the individual jumping event on Tuesday, putting in a flawless performance with two clear rounds. His team-mate Kenneth Cheng secured the bronze medal in the same event. These are Hong Kong's first ever equestrian medals in the National Games.
I met the four team members after they returned from Shandong on Thursday afternoon, and they were all thrilled by their achievements. We are very proud that all four are members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Equestrian Team or its Junior Team, who are supported by a HK$50 million sponsorship pledge from the Club. Our aim in providing this sponsorship was to help Hong Kong's most talented young riders prepare for major equestrian events by covering their overseas training and competition costs, so that they could concentrate on their preparations without any financial worries. I think the team's success at the National Games clearly demonstrates that this initiative has paid off.
The team's next big target will be 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and I'm sure that they must now be able to approach that challenge with quite high hopes of success.
Anyway, going back to racing, we will be holding a rare daytime meeting at Happy Valley tomorrow, which will give our veteran fans a chance to recall the racing experiences of the old days. There will be 10 races scheduled for tomorrow's card, I will be paying my special attention to Finn Maccool in the Ko Yee Handicap. This David Ferraris-trained runner produced an attractive performance in his last start at Sha Tin, just defeated by a nose margin and settled for a runner-up finish. He will again be partnered by Douglas Whyte and I hope he will enjoy better luck in Happy Valley tomorrow.
In the Kwong Tin Handicap, I'll be watching the performance of Hannah King Prawn. This four-year-old runner has shown substantial improvements as he won three times in his last four starts. He will again be competing in Happy Valley mile distance, where he won twice and got a runner-up in his career. I hope this consistent runner will continue to perform well tomorrow.
For our simulcasts today, I'd like to see how Rangirangdoo performs in the MacKinnon Stakes. This five-year-old gelding had an easy win in the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last weekend. Though it will be the first time for this horse to compete in the 2000m, I will see if he can make a breakthrough and get his first Group 1 victory.
In the AAMI Victoria Derby, with the withdrawal of a favourite runner Shamoline Warrior, I will fancy the performance of Rockferry. This Danny O'Brien-trained runner finished a nice third in the Listed race Geelong Classic, though he was blocked for a run. Although he will just be making his fourth career appearance, I think he's still capable to contest for top honour in this event.
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