The Chinese New Year Raceday at Sha Tin last Sunday served to again demonstrate why Hong Kong racing remains so robust and vibrant.
While the record turnover of HK$1.843 billion was extremely satisfying, even without having our valued customers on course, it is merely one measure of the health of our sport.
In that context, it was wonderful to host the HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam on a tour of the world-class facilities at Sha Tin, where our biosecurity protocols have allowed racing to continue in the face of the pandemic.
The Club is heartened by the Chief Executive’s observations, including her view that the “continuation of racing in Hong Kong amid the pandemic had won admiration from many other jurisdictions.”
She also noted the “Club’s efforts and the support of related Government departments had not only enabled all local race meetings to be held as scheduled last year, but also allowed the Club to stage the highly-regarded HKIR meeting successfully with the implementation of a ‘racing bubble’.”
It was especially gratifying that the Club’s efforts to regularly test trainers, jockeys and other staff for COVID-19 as well as the stringent implementation of social distancing measures and the good utilisation of technology and other measures is seen as “the greatest possible determination” on the Club’s behalf to “implement proper precautionary measures.”
None of these things happen without comprehensive planning and the Club is extremely proud of racing’s continued contribution to a broad range of areas, not least human and equine welfare, employment through a host of occupations related to racing and also the benefits to the wider community which flow from racing.
Making a good start into the New Year with the record turnover is something which we did not expect but it illustrates the residual passion of our racing fans. Their support has not wavered during their long absence from the track.
With the encouraging downward trend in the reduction of positive cases, we remain optimistic that we can have fans back at the racetrack in the Year of The Ox – when we can be strong and resilient while seeking excellence and sustained success.
It was uplifting to watch David Hayes, twice champion trainer in Hong Kong, notch a double on Sunday at Sha Tin to share training honours with Danny Shum while Zac Purton, Christophe Soumillon and Matthew Chadwick, who claimed the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup on Beauty Smile, all shone with braces.
The trainers’ championship remains tight with Caspar Fownes clinging to a three-win lead over John Size ahead of an outstanding meeting at Sha Tin this Sunday with the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, which is the world’s richest 1400m contest, Golden Sixty’s tilt at the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
For me, it goes without saying the meeting is one of the season highlights.
The finale of the DBS x Manulife Million is next Wednesday (24 February) and tonight, at Happy Valley, Scores Of Fun is a win and place chance in race eight. He is second overall in the series with 42 points and any additional points would secure his current position, while a win would reduce Grateful Heart’s lead to nine points ahead of the final round.
Other contenders for a top ranking in the series are Namjong Plus (30 points) in Race 6, while in Race 9, the second section of the Class 3 Hip Wo Handicap over 1200 metres, Stanley Park (26 points) and Igniting (25 points) both have the chance to improve their positions in an intriguing contest over the speed course.
The higher-rated horses are set to go forward to set a good pace. Igniting gets a rider change to Matthew Poon and will use his speed from the inside draw to make the running. He will be joined by Stanley Park (Jerry Chau), which will need to work early to cross from his wide draw. Baby (Vincent Ho), Falcon Turbo (Victor Wong) and Harrier Jet (Matthew Chadwick) will be in close contention.
Igniting is in excellent form and should get every chance from his favourable draw. He is a win and place chance. Baby can run well and is a place chance.
Wind N Grass gets the services of Zac Purton for the first time and his form this season has been consistent. It is interesting to note that John Size is using Zac’s not only on Wind N Grass but also for Savaquin in Race 5. Wind N Grass will get a good trip from midfield and is a place chance along with Harrier Jet.
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