Hong Kong chief delighted with results of co-mingling

Punters in Britain have quickly embraced the opportunity to bet into the huge tote-betting pools offered on racing in Hong Kong, and interest can only get stronger, according to local Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

The service, which is available through Tote Direct's retail operation, began a fortnight ago, backed by race cards and form guides published in the Racing Post.

Turnover last Wednesday during the international jockeys' challenge at Happy Valley’s evening meeting, a lunchtime and early-afternoon fixture in Britain, was HK$7.7 million (£782,500). For Sunday's fixture at Sha Tin, which included four international races, the total rose to HK$8.6m (£882,000), despite the first of ten races going off at 4.25am in Britain.