The aftermath of HKIR week always leaves a series of important business decisions to be taken and this year is no exception.
One of the most notable this season relates to replacing the Happy Valley meeting cancelled due to concerns about public safety in September.
After close consideration, it has been decided that the fixture lost in September will now take place at the Valley on Wednesday, 15 July, 2020.
Our commitment to host the World Pool during the Royal Ascot meeting means it is not an option to replace the fixture lost in November with a Wednesday night in June.
However, we are continuing to work hard in order to service the pressing needs of Hong Kong’s horse population.
The continuation of nine-race cards at Happy Valley is one way of doing this. In addition, we will also consider selective eleven-race cards at Sha Tin to assist owners and trainers and ensure that the total number of races run this season will be similar to last.
We have to go back to 2013 to find the last time that our season finale was held at our city track and I suspect that those who were present will remember the occasion very clearly indeed.
With a big crowd roaring their appreciation, Dennis Yip won the very last race of the season that night. And in doing so he just got the better of a tremendous battle with Tony Cruz to become the first homegrown champion trainer in more than a decade.
Only time will tell if 2020 brings something quite so dramatic, but it is fascinating to see the shape of this season’s trainers’ table as we approach the busy and important Christmas period.
Ricky Yiu’s fine form puts him clear at the top of the table with 24 winners, while his nearest pursuers at this stage are fellow homegrown veterans Francis Lui on 20 and Danny Shum on 18.
All three will be well represented at the first of our Happy Wednesday Christmas Party nights this Wednesday and the sporting highlight of the night is run as Race 9 with the Class 2 Mercury Handicap over 1200m on the C+3 track.
A strong pace looks assured here, with Multimillion, Big Party and Stronger all set to go forward as they visit the Valley on race night for the first time.
Stronger performed well in his Hong Kong debut earlier this month over the straight course at Sha Tin and is well equipped to handle the step up in trip. He has trialled at the Valley, gets in with a light weight and is a win and place chance.
Lobo’s Legend showed improved gate speed when winning his trial last week and should settle about midfield from his inside draw. He ran well in his only prior start at Happy Valley and figures to get a good trip in the way this race sets up. He is a place chance.
Super Turbo returns to his preferred course and distance and will be flashing home late as a place chance along with Tornado Twist.
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