Those of you who are fond of local racing and interested in its past history may well have visited our Racing Museum at Happy Valley Racecourse, and seen some of the special exhibitions we stage there from time to time. But you may not realise that we also have a dedicated Archives team at the Club which is responsible for collecting and cataloguing memorabilia from our racing, betting, membership and charitable activities over the years.
A significant number of these historical racing items are contributed by outside parties like senior Club members, horsemen and racing journalists. Their generous donations are always much appreciated additions to the Archives. You simply can't put a value on history.
If you have any reason to visit our Headquarters building, you will also notice that historic photos are displayed in each lift. These photos change every month and are often related to topical subjects - for example, when we ran the 125th Anniversary Sweepstakes last year, a number of photos were posted showing the sweepstakes ticket sellers of the old days.
I must say I always find these old photos very interesting, as they help enhance my knowledge of Hong Kong's history and development. They emphasise how much the Club's horse racing and charitable activities have touched Hong Kong people's lives in Hong Kong over the past 125 years. I think it would also be nice for our community to have an Olympic Sports Museum which incorporates the sports of horse racing and equestrian riding at Sha Tin Racecourse in the future. By establishing a museum in the racetrack and giving visitors a host of simulating experiences on horseracing and equestrian, we hope this could let members of the community to appreciate the sportsmanship, discipline, training and skills in sports.
Talking about history, this Sunday at Sha Tin there will feature a pattern race – the Jebsen Centenary Vase. This race was first run in 1984 to mark the centenary of the Club's founding in 1884. It has been contested annually since then and now has Group 3 status, and this year it's again sponsored by the long-established Hong Kong trading house Jebsen Group.
I think it should be a very competitive renewal as reigning Horse of the Year Viva Pataca will be making his first appearance since the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase last December. His trainer John Moore has said he will use the race as a stepping stone to the horse's next target - Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup on 28 February. With this being the first time for this veteran runner participating in an 1800m race in Hong Kong, it will be interesting to see how he performs on Sunday.
While Viva Pataca being one of the eldest contenders in this race, it's also quite special to see Deposer, a four-year-old trained by Peter Ho, joining the 14-strong field. Previously, a few four-year-old runners also targeted this race as a step-up race before their eventual contest in the Hong Kong Derby. They produced some brilliant performances too, as Vengeance Of Rain and Plastic Polymer both won this Group 3 event as a four-year-old in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
For Deposer, he has also entered the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial on 16 February and nominated for the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby next month. With another Peter Ho-trained runner Mr Medici performed nicely in his four-year-old campaign last year, it will be interesting to see how this young horse challenges against other older opponents on Sunday.
Personally, I shall also be watching the performances of Special Days in this featured Group 3 event. I look for the six-year-old to once again show his fondness for the 1800m distance. There are some classy rivals in this race, such as Viva Pataca and Armada, but Special Days stands out for me as he makes his third straight Sunday appearance at Sha Tin. I think the third time will prove to be the charm.
In the other races of the card tomorrow, there are a few horses with difficult draws that attract my interest, beginning with Multiglory in the Jebsen Fine Wines Handicap. I was very impressed with his career debut at Sha Tin four weeks ago and, despite drawing gate 2, which may be unfavourable at 1000m straight course event, I look for this promising newcomer to deliver another winning performance. I will also be interested in Invinciblekindness. This horse has yet to finish in the Quinella in 12 Hong Kong races, yet it looks like he is primed for a big run as his last effort showed some encouraging signs.
In the Jebsen Motors Handicap, Fun Rider has the outside draw as he steps up in distance for the second straight time and gets his first chance at 1800m. I get the sense he will appreciate the added distance and he may be the right horse with the right motor to prove best in the Class 4 event.
In the Jebsen Watch Handicap, Century Super Star is another with an outside draw that peaks my interest as he has been very consistent on the All Weather track throughout the season. He will need a little luck in the running from the wide gate, but he should not be overlooked. Perfect Fit is another horse to watch in this race as this Subscription Griffin moves up to Class 3 but has the look of an AWT specialist.
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