I am really disappointed that I could not make it to the HKJC Community Cup on Friday because, unfortunately, the once reliable Cathay Pacific was not able to bring me back in time.
I went to Shanghai on Thursday to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and booked the early CX 365 flight back to Hong Kong which I thought was a safe option because the plane for this flight was already in Shanghai.
Due to the impact of the typhoon, flights were delayed, which is understandable but still manageable. When the initial delay, first reported to be from 9.40 to 11.20, was further delayed to 12.20, I became anxious.
At 11.40 we were told that the length of the delay could not be estimated due to a technical problem which is unfortunate, but seems now a more regular feature when flying with Cathay.
The scramble started to get on to another flight, this time with Dragon Air, and after 30 minutes we were escorted back to immigration to get out of the departure area to check in again on another flight.After we passed the security point, and just before passing immigration to obtain an exit stamp, the next twist occurred.
We were asked to wait in the area between security and immigration because the CX 365 technical problem was deemed to be resolved and we should wait another 10 minutes for confirmation so as to avoid going through immigration again.
Unfortunately after 20 minutes we were told that the technical problem was not solved, and the result was my losing the chance to return in time. I would like to apologize to our teams, who put in so much effort, that I could not watch and support them.
Judging by a record attendance of more than 4,400 football fans, it certainly seemed that many appreciated the efforts of the Club and the football community on behalf of our city, and all reports suggested it was a very festive atmosphere. The Community Cup is a great chance for people to enjoy the very best of Hong Kong football while also seeing how football can benefit our community. It not only rewards our two competing teams – Kitchee and Eastern Long Lions – but it also benefits the other nine Premier League clubs, the Football Association, and charities nominated by the two teams. My thanks to all the participants, along with our jockeys who I’m sure enjoyed their exhibition match as well.
It’s been a week since Super Jockey grabbed a sensational win for Hong Kong in the Korea Sprint in Seoul. Having overcome the uncertainty of the sand track, this veteran sprinter pulled-off a dominating performance, giving another groundbreaking win for Hong Kong. To me, it again shows the prowess of our top sprinters on the international scene. The day was very successful for our friends at the Korea Racing Authority and I’m sure our racing fans enjoyed the simulcast race from a new jurisdiction.
Racing returns tomorrow with a 10-race card tomorrow, which features some potential star horses in Hong Kong including the first start from the Hong Kong International Sales topper Jing Jing Win in Race 2, as well as the seasonal debut of International Sales Graduate Pakistan Star. He was most impressive in his first run last season after missing the start and coming from last to finish the final 400m in 21.22 seconds, amazing for a griffin.
While Jing Jing Win has been impressive in his trackwork and trials, it is always a question mark as to how debutants cope with race day hype and pressure. That said, Jing Jing Win looks a horse with real potential and should have too much quality and class for his opponents.
I am always interested to see how Pakistan Star is developing because I was in Deauville when our Sales Team of Nick Columb and Mark Richards were selecting horses. They showed me this son of Shamardal as one of their picks out of Nina Celebre particularly as the broodmare is out of a very good German staying family. He was very backward, which is typically for this family, and not that well prepared, another typical trait for the stud farm which bred him, as they aim to keep yearlings as long as possible in the paddock, allowing them to develop naturally. He was a very good walker and had a very good frame. Because we in Hong Kong don’t need early maturing two-year-olds with our Classic Season being for four-year-olds, we felt convinced to try to buy him.
Normally Shamardal yearlings are very difficult to buy and going easily to 400,000 euros and more, but not being an early type, we believed we could have a chance to buy him at a reasonable price. He was hammered down for 180,000 euros and we were all quite happy to be able to buy him.
Competing against proven Class 3 horses in his second start coming out of the Griffin Class is not easy especially because the C+3 course favours horses in front of the field and coming from the back at a distance of 1400m could be a bit short for him considering his pedigree.
The pace will be good with Kingsfield and Care Free Prince taking the lead, while Ten Flames, Right Call and Amber Dragon who could be wide, should all be close too. Run Forrest should be in midfield along with the not very reliable Ka Ying Kid, followed by Marvel Hero, Colossus and Pakistan Star at the back on the inside of Citron Spirit and Actuariat – again, this may not be ideal with the rail in the C+3 position.
Douglas Whyte has to manage not to be too wide on the course with Super Leader, but he is in good form and is a win and place chance. Marvel Hero is in good form too and just failed to win in his last start and should go close too. Run Forrest, from the in-form-stable of Danny Shum, is one of my best chance in this races having a good position and is working well. Care Free Prince should be in a very good position and is working well and is definitely a horse for a win or place. Despite having to overcome some of the handicaps outlined, Pakistan Star is still a win and place chance due to his class, but needs a little bit luck to overcome the obstacles.
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