On the one hand, it’s the tail end of this horse racing season, but far more important are the plans being put in place by everyone involved for what’s coming up next in September- and what’s in store further down the road.
Does it really matter who will be Champion this and that though who’s going to be voted Most Popular Jockey will be interesting.
“Popular” in this day and age is such a vague term.
If the local rumour mill is any guide, most of the Hong Kong Chinese racing “influencers” will probably not be voting. Why? Because after every race meeting, there’s always a new crop of heroes and villains to emerge depending on their performances and another round of rumours about, well, anything and everything and things that go bump in the night.
This, however, is what makes Hong Kong racing entertaining- its goofiness, which is often twinged with a certain neediness to create some of the most offbeat conspiracy theories.
It shows just how important these are to keep alive any signs of flagging interest in the pastime.
One guesses it’s a bit like wondering what kinda gel the now departing TAB and Skyracing odds person Nick Quinn, below, uses on his hair.
In Hong Kong, other than watching how new boy Jamie Richards does in the training ranks, and wondering what might happen if the Zac And João Show were to breakup, one thing is certain and something for the local racing influencers to delete from their minds: No, John Moore will not be returning to the Hong Kong training ranks even if able to ply his trade until 85.
Having taking care of that, Hong Kong, having to follow China’s Zero Covid mandate, the city is in limbo and long ago and far away from the vibrant international tourist destination that it was.
As made very clear by President Xi Jinping during his visit to Hong Kong on July 1, the focus today is on patriotism, stability and the rollout plans for the Greater Bay Area.
For those involved in the business side of horse racing, it’s perhaps worth the time to try and understand where horse racing might fit into all this along with how exactly the Hong Kong-Guangdong-Macau triumvirate of the Greater Bay Area plan will interact with each other and what their their roles might be when it comes to set ROIs- Return On Investment.
Perhaps Macau might be positioned as being the Monte Carlo and Ibiza of the Orient as everything is in place for the lights to be switched on- but without any of the former American/Vegas presence?
By this time, many other changes would have taken place in China and which would impact with a changing of the guard in Hong Kong in every industry.
New players are certain to be introduced and placed in different positions of power.
As for the races today, though not into tipping anything except for perhaps one’s hat, and after watching Inundation go down at Caulfield yesterday at $1.35, all we’ll say is that we would like to see Navas Two (3) win the last.
After being given some shocking rides at its last two starts, the galloper is reunited with Ruan Maia who’s had the most success with him.
Drawn out in barrier 14 is something that should suit Navas Two to come charging down the outside with Keefy (7) being the horse to beat in what’s the best betting race on the card.
Other than this, most will be following Zac and João and whatever they’re riding for Frankie and Johnny as all are competing for different championships.
There’s always a danger in following this wagering strategy as their runners will start way under the odds, and which often means nothing going according to script, especially with some huge jackpots up for grabs. It’s karma.
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