I trust that you all enjoyed a wonderful extended holiday over the last few days. It was a sensational Chinese New Year meeting on Monday with more than 96,000 at our racecourses and total turnover of more than HK$1.75 billion. The turnover figure was a new record for our CNY meeting and along with my extended best wishes in the New Year, I offer my sincere thanks to our loyal customers and a special word of thanks to our staff who work together as a great team to offer you a fantastic racing experience twice a week.
One element which is an area of continued growth for the Club is in the turnover from the commingling markets, and Monday’s races marked a new record with HK$95.7 million coming from these sources, and the biggest contributor was one of our newest partners in the United Kingdom. We have worked for many years on launching and developing the commingling markets, and while it is still in its first phase it is remarkable to see the degree to which racing fans overseas have taken to our competitive product. There is a good chance of more growth to come as well.
We witnessed a great day of racing as Helene Paragon became a Group 1 winner in the Stewards’ Cup following his second in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Trainer John Moore landed the trio as Joyful Trinity was second and the great Able Friend was third after having some significant traffic trouble and still running on from well back despite a steady pace. Moore indicated Helene Paragon is likely for a try in the Dubai Turf and he would seem to have a very good chance in that race at the big meeting at the end of March.
Peniaphobia led throughout under Neil Callan to take the Group 2 Centenary Sprint Cup, but the race might as well have been a Group 1 considering the quality of the field. This was the fourth consecutive season in which Peniaphobia has earned a win in Hong Kong, as trainer Tony Cruz has maintained his competitiveness in top class company. We also saw another promising win from Booming Delight as the BMW Hong Kong Derby creeps ever closer.
Our Happy Wednesday party to welcome the Year of the Rooster continues tonight at Happy Valley with an eight race card.
Race 7 is the Hung To Handicap which is a Class 3 over 1200m with an extended rating band of 85 to 60. It has attracted Divine Boy with a rating of 85 as top weighting and four other horses rated above 80 especially the upcoming 4 year old Love Shock with a rating of 82 which would otherwise have him running in Class 2 against stronger opposition.
The pace is expected to be good to slow which gives a slight advantage to horses closer to the front. Hella Hedge has good gate speed and he should go forward. Charity Joy may cross from gate 10, as well as Happy Yeah Yeah who has to overcome a wide draw. Love Shock should be able to hold a good spot behind the speed, with Green Card, Back In Black and Divine Boy sitting in or behind mid-field. Fabulous November and High And Mighty will have to come from the back of the field.
My first choice is Love Shock, who is working well and should be well positioned in the race and has been in great form including a second to California Whip. His main opponents are Back In Black, who should be well positioned in the race having drawn gate 1 and Green Card, who still has to prove himself in Happy Valley. Divine Boy should not be underestimated going back to his favorite course and distance, with all his three wins over this trip plus the drop from Class 2 is helpful.
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