Graham Cunningham: further measures help racing in Hong Kong go the distance

Slowly but surely, the threat of a second wave of Covid-19 infections is stripping HK racing to its bare essentials.

Latest measures banning public gatherings of more than four people resulted in an official attendance of zero as even owners with starters were prevented from attending Sha Tin's Sunday fixture.

Dialogue with government means owners with runners are back in the fold for Wednesday's all-weather meeting but only with enhanced social-distancing protocols that could set a template for others to follow in the weeks and months to come.

Latest measures mean only one owner per horse is allowed into the paddock with jockey and trainer. Designated areas ensure 1.5m social distancing between each group both there and in catering facilities, while the traditional Winning Arch photo so beloved of winning connections has also been put on hold.

Jockeys continue to undergo testing several times a week, while apprentice Alfie Chan will miss his intended return from suspension on Wednesday having gone into self-isolation because he has been in contact with someone suspected of being exposed to the virus.

Moreira aiming to find a friend in Buddies

Joao Moreira bounced back from a midweek Happy Valley blank in style on Sunday, riding his 900th HK winner and ending the day with a five-timer that took him two ahead of Zac Purton atop the jockeys' table.

The Brazilian has been the dominant all-weather rider this season and has a chance to shine again on a track made wet to slow by recent rain when John Moore's useful front-runner Buddies tackles the Cheung Sha Handicap (3.50) this Wednesday.

Joao Moreira: Sunday five-timer took him two ahead of Zac Purton in the jockeys' tableCredit: Getty Images

Former St James's Palace fifth Kings Shield rates highly among the opposition despite a wide draw as he continues his return from colic surgery, while Bear Slam (formerly Purser), Glorious Artist and Uncle Steve offer further ex-British interest in the £200,000 handicap.

But Moreira takes the reins on Buddies for the first time having beaten him into second aboard the exciting Seattle Choice on turf recently and is clearly feeling upbeat about the prospect.

"Buddies got beaten by a very good horse the other day and made it very tough for the winner," he said. "We have a very fit horse going into this contest, so I'm hoping he can take that run into Wednesday and he's got to be a hard horse to beat, especially if it's sloppy."

Stars out in force as Champions Day beckons

The heavyweights of HK racing are back this Sunday in two significant trials for Champions Day on April 26.

Beauty Generation is 4-1 down in meetings with Waikuku and this weekend's battle between the pair in the Chairman's Trophy should go a long way to confirming whether there is a new champion miler in town.

Beauty Generation: 4-1 down in meetings with WaikukuCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

HK sprinting's past, present and possibly its future will be on show when Mr Stunning, Hot King Prawn, Thanks Forever and Aethero do battle for Sunday's Sprint Cup, but time will tell whether the local heroes will have international opposition for three G1's worth £5m in three weeks' time.

Grooms associated with any foreign raider would have to spend two weeks in quarantine before being cleared to work, while similar restrictions on overseas trainers and riders add further complexity to the equation.

"The principle of those races is that they are open and we will keep them open," said HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. "How many [international raiders] will do it? We'll see. It is still theoretically an option. The likelihood of it? I am more guarded."

Turnover rolls on despite betting shop shutdown

Where in the world could you run a race meeting behind closed doors without a single betting shop open and still generate £130 million in betting turnover?

Hong Kong has certainly shown that its online wagering future is secure during recent challenges and Sunday's total figure – less than ten per cent down on the same fixture a year earlier – shows that most people have adapted to a vastly altered betting landscape.

Robust turnover looks set to help Hong Kong avoid the prize-money cuts being implemented in Australia but the programme of Simulcast meetings beamed in from abroad has already taken one hit with the loss of the Dubai World Cup and thoughts are now turning to alternative plans if five days of planned World Pool action at Royal Ascot have to be delayed until later in the summer.

More on Hong Kong:

Graham Cunningham: old rivals Purton and Moreira primed for another long duel

Everything you need to know when considering a bet at Sha Tin

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