Unfortunately, because of factors beyond our control, and due to the fact the Typoon 8 signal will be in place until at least 4pm, we have been forced to cancel tonight’s meeting.
The decision not to proceed with the meeting was reached after taking into consideration the safety of our race-day workforce over 8,000 people and a host of logistical considerations and also the fact we need four hours before the start of a race meeting to mobilise this workforce.
These factors, as well as the safe and timely transportation of horses from Sha Tin to Happy Valley, meant it was not feasible to stage a race meeting.
While this is disappointing, there was no choice in the circumstances.
While it is regrettable that the meeting cannot proceed, the safety for all of our participants, including customers, remains an unconditional priority. We will not, under any circumstance, compromise the health and welfare of our horses, jockeys, trainers and race-day staff, including stewards, starters, barrier attendants, stable hands, doctors, veterinarians and clerks of the course.
The Club plans to seek approval by the Hong Kong SAR Government in accordance with established procedures to hold a race meeting on 29 December, 2021.
In what has been a trying week, we were grateful to have been able to stage last Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin despite Tropical Storm Lionrock dumping 485.4mm on our premier course from Friday until Sunday.
It is remarkable to reflect that Sha Tin’s two courses – turf and All Weather – raced safely and truly, but also extraordinary in a sense that the turf track was upgraded before the final two races on Sunday.
In that context, Sunday’s meeting will be celebrated as a victory in the face of adversity – a familiar theme over the past two years when COVID’s shadow has hovered over this incredible city.
Investment in facilities underpins the integrity of our product and the effort and resources poured into track maintenance and management can never be under-estimated or under-valued.
Despite the biblical storm which descended on Sha Tin on Friday and Saturday as the T8 Cyclone warning was hoisted, the track upgrade from good to yielding to good for the final two turf races evidenced the incredible draining capacity of the Sha Tin surface.
Those qualities were not unnoticed by our customers who outlaid more than $237 million on the final race – the highest single race figure on the program – on a day when our home-grown jockeys and trainers were to the fore.
Matthew Chadwick led the charge with a treble, while Alfred Chan, Keith Yeung, Derek Leung, Matthew Poon and Jerry Chau flew the flag for locals as Chad Schofield and Ruan Maia notched timely wins.
It was a similar tale on the trainers’ front as Jimmy Ting held sway with a double, while Dennis Yip, Manfred Man, Benno Yung, Francis Lui and Ricky Yiu found the winners’ circle, while Richard Gibson, Tony Millard and Douglas Whyte also struck.
The promise of much improved conditions for Sunday’s feature meeting at Sha Tin is certainly cause for celebration as we look forward to the running of the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) and the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m).
The presence of proven G1 performers including Waikuku, Southern Legend and Panfield in the mile against BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci is merely one of the program’s highlights.
The other will be the clash of unbeaten Courier Wonder, Naboo Attack, Super Wealthy, Sky Field and Stronger over 1200m will be another as several of these horses progress towards possible starts in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December.
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