Midday on Monday represented an important point in the 2019-20 racing season as the vast majority of our Off-Course Betting Branches opened for the first time in more than three months.
The wagering landscape has changed enormously in recent years – with around 80% of turnover conducted online even before coronavirus became part of our lives – but the last 48 hours have shown that the ability to bet in the traditional manner still plays a vital part in the routine of many Hong Kong racing fans.
More than 118,000 customers were served as OCBB’s re-opened on Monday, followed by another 135,000 on Tuesday. Those numbers show what an important role these venues play for many of our most longstanding customers and our staff were on hand to process a range of queries that were the natural consequence of shops being closed for so long.
It is worth repeating that OCBB’s will only be open on non-racedays. Football and Mark Six wagering will not be available for the moment, but the re-opening of shops is a significant step in the right direction after an extremely challenging few months and we look forward to making further progress with regard to OCBB’s and racecourse attendance as things progress over the next few weeks and months.
Royal Ascot had an unusual feel with no racegoers in attendance but the interest in the World Pool was tremendous, with Thursday’s Gold Cup day card producing a record single day simulcast turnover figure of HK$303 million.
The total weekly figure of HK$1.443 billion represented a remarkable 49% increase on the 2019 figure – with individual race turnover increasing by more than 33% – and we hope the momentum we have generated will persuade other jurisdictions to join us in this exciting venture.
Frankie Dettori stole the show as leading rider and will be centre stage again for our Derby simulcast from Epsom on 4 July but there is plenty happening on the home front as we enter the final three weeks of the season.
It is advantage Zac Purton in the jockeys’ title race after the reigning champion extended his lead to four at Sha Tin on Sunday and Joao Moreira now has the added challenge of a one-meeting ban to contend with.
Ricky Yiu is five ahead of Tony Cruz in the race for the trainers’ title after Jolly Banner’s win under Matthew Poon in the Premier Cup, while Keith Yeung enjoyed a welcome big winner for Caspar Fownes when Dances With Dragon continued his fine season with a runaway success in the Premier Plate.
The fact that both our final Group races of the season were won by homegrown riders is notable, as is the fact that Dances With Dragon produced by far the best performance of his career having spent the last few weeks being prepared at Conghua.
Another leading Conghua graduate – namely the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge winner Shining Ace – heads the weights for Wednesday’s featured Class 2 Magazine Gap Handicap (R9) over 1200m at Happy Valley.
Shining Ace is also in the running for Most Improved Horse of the season, having climbed 37 points in the ratings, and comes into this race as a last-start winner along with Victoriam, Beauty Amigo and Racing Fighter. Last season’s Million Challenge winner Country Star and the in-form Winning Method provide further depth in a fascinating finale to the nine-race card.
Beauty Amigo will drive forward from his outside barrier to establish a good pace along with Victoriam and Moment Of Power. Team Spirit will also be in the early mix.
Shining Ace benefitted from an ideal trip when winning in this grade last month and should get a similar run here from better than midfield under Chad Schofield. Winning Method comes out of the same race, has a better draw this time and is seven pounds better off at the weights. There is very little between them and they are both place chances.
Waldorf returns from his regular base at Conghua for a welcome opportunity to compete over his preferred track and distance. He is a win and place chance in this very competitive race under the in-form Karis Teetan, who needs just one winner to beat last season’s personal best total of 84. Country Star showed big improvement in his last start and is another horse that does his best work over this track and distance. He is also a win and place chance from the inside barrier with Alfred Chan aboard.
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