STRIKE THE GONG FOR LUCK IN HONG KONG SEASON 10/11

STRIKE THE GONG FOR LUCK IN HONG KONG SEASON 10/11 with DEANJOHN

In only 8 days, race fans will head to SHA TIN for the opening of the 2010/11 Racing Season.

Give yourself THE STROKE of GOOD LUCK!
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Racegoers and Punters will want to enhance their own good fortune by banging a mini-gongs at each major entrance as they enter the racetrack next Sunday September 5th.

You can play the ONLINE STRIKE THE GONG to bring YOU luck in the new season. The competition closes this Monday 30 August, 2010. The more times you hit the target, the higher the marks you'll get. The first 5,000 top scorers will each win a Stereo Earphones!

I will post results here on Wednesday 2 September!

Copy and Paste this link into your browser:

http://special.hkjc.com/promo/en/2010_so/so10_game.asp

DEANJOHN

I am ready did my homework and roaring to go.

The Course Selections for meetings in September thru October 2010 have been announced.

Sha Tin

05-Sept Sunday A Course
12-Sept Sunday C plus 3 metres Course / All Weather Track
18-Sept Saturday A plus 3 metres Course
26-Sept Sunday B plus 3 metres Course / All Weather Track
01-Oct Friday C Course
10-Oct Sunday A Course / All Weather Track
17-Oct Sunday A plus 3 metres Course
24-Oct Sunday B plus 3 metres Course

Happy Valley

08-Sept Wednesday A Course
15-Sept Wednesday B Course (Worked Back Position)
23-Sept Thursday C Course (Worked Back Position)
06-Oct Wednesday A Course
13-Oct Wednesday B Course (Worked Back Position)
20-Oct Wednesday C Course (Worked Back Position)
31-Oct Sunday A Course

DEANJOHN

NEW SMART FORM FREE for Punters for the 2010/11 SEASON.

Take the tour here, copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://special.hkjc.com/promo/en/2010_smartform_demo/smartform_tour_withvoice.asp

AND GET READY TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY!

DEANJOHN



KC & the Sunshine Band: Shake Your Booty!

Popular Austrian jockey Andreas Suborics, who had been troubled by ongoing complications after emergency brain surgery in Hong Kong during April, has had to abandon a return for the 2010-11 season.

In fact he had to make the decision to retire from riding altogether in early August just days before his 39th birthday.

The Jockey Club is still searching for a suitable replacement.

Suborics was one of Germany's most successful jockeys over two decades, gaining his greatest fame as the rider of globetrotting German star Silvano, winner of the QE II Cup at Sha Tin, the Singapore International Cup and Arlington Million among other feature events.

The Hong Kong New Season is just 4 days away, and here is part of the Pre-Season Briefing from Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, JP, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"It's been a very sad time for everybody in Hong Kong over the past few days, as last Monday weeks's bus hostage saga in Manila claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong citizens and left seven others injured. I felt as saddened and aggrieved by the tragedy as I'm sure many of you did. On behalf of all of us at the Jockey Club, I should like to express our condolences to those families who lost their loved ones, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

Through the Jockey Club Emergency Relief Fund set up earlier this year, we have offered immediate financial relief to the families of the deceased and the injured to tide them through this difficult period. As an organisation that has always been dedicated to charitable giving, we realise how important it is that families struck by tragedy don't have financial worries to add to their burden. I hope they can overcome their grief and start to rebuild their lives as quickly as possible.

Though it's been difficult to focus on horse racing in the past few days, our preparation work for the new season has to go on. This year we've had a relatively shorter summer break, which means that our working team began getting ready for the new season almost as soon as the old one ended.

Earlier today, we unveiled the new series of TV programmes that will be produced for our racing fans this season, in which we will introduce new elements and supply different types of information before, during and after the racing action.

For instance, those fans who like to focus on horses' pre-race preparation in their race studies can keep an eye on our pre-race programme, where we will provide in-depth analysis of the runners' form and trackwork performances, show useful racing statistics and replay some relevant key races. In our post-race programmes, we will use a new technology called "Highlighter" to better illustrate race incidents and the performances of certain horses during the races.

Those of you joined the Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse last Saturday had the opportunity to take a look at our newly-extended Diamond Vision screen, located closer to the public stand. The larger screen allows us to show more comprehensive racing and betting information during the races, which we hope will further enhance our customers' racecourse experience in the new season.

These changes all reflect the more customer-centric approach we are adopting from this season onwards. I hope our racing fans will enjoy these service enhancements and find them useful".

DEANJOHN --- getting you excited for Hong Kong!

hmmmm _ _ _ intriguing!

2 days to Go! _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Douglas Whyte and Brett Prebble, the two stars of last season's epic battle for the jockeys' championship, were again the main attractions at Tuesday's pre-season roadshow at Kwun Tong Off-Course Betting Branch in Kowloon.

Prebble denied he was downcast by his failure by just one winner to catch the perennial champion in 2009-10, preferring to dwell instead on the positive aspects of the attempted dethroning. "It wasn't a disappointment. It was a personal best season for me. I was delighted to get 99 winners. It's not an easy task to get past around 70 or 80."

And in answer to the obvious one about whether he'll be going all out to shift the balance of power in 2010-11 he was just as emphatic: "It won't be for lack of trying" he insisted. "Douglas doesn't give up. He's a terrific jockey and a terrific fighter, but I'll be out to beat him."

Whyte himself, who described last season's victory as "the sweetest ever", was equally unbending after a working holiday in Japan that yielded him another couple of Group winners. Asked if he was confident about retaining his title the South African gave a typically restrained answer: "I get asked that every year and I give the same answer. Not confident, but I'm going out there to do my best."

The pair cited Hotshot (Whyte) and Lucky Nine (Prebble) as the two horses most likely to kickstart their new season at Sha Tin on Sunday.

DEANJOHN _ _ _ _ getting you excited about Hong Kong.

The keenly anticipated racing season opener this Sunday promises to be one starting with a bang, as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive The Hon Donald Tsang will officiate at the gong striking ceremony at Sha Tin Racecourse at noon.

At the curtain-raiser, fans will be treated to an array of oncourse attractions including special free gifts for all, and will have the chance to enhance their good fortune by banging the mini-gongs at each major entrance of the racecourse.

Racegoers will receive the 2010/11 Racing Calendar and Pen as a free door gift on admission to Sha Tin Racecourse (before the start of Race 5, while stocks last). The stylish calendar makes an excellent companion for the new season, either mounted on the wall or placed on desktops. Each entrant is entitled to one set of gifts only.

The opening ceremony will take place in the Parade Ring at 12:00 noon. It will start with the traditional eye-dotting of the ceremonial lions, then a colourful lion dance led by a giant, two-metre tall creature, followed by the gong striking ceremony. Club Stewards and jockeys will also attend the ceremony. The Hon Donald Tsang will later present trophies to the winning connections of the day's highlight on the track - the HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup, scheduled as Race 4 on the day to start at 2:30 pm.

Racegoers who want to start the season on a lucky note will not want to miss the feng shui formation on the Public Forecourt designed by well-known feng shui master Ms Mak Ling Ling. The formation embodies the auspicious meaning of "lucky always" and fans may boost their good luck factor by striking the gong at the starting point thrice and walking along the formation in a clockwise direction, according to Mak.

Popular young artiste Icy Wong will make a special appearance with the Club's Shetland ponies to provide photo opportunities for her fans at the same location (1- 1:30 pm), Racing Ambassadors and horse mascots will also be roving around the racecourse on the day to greet fans.

Admission to Sha Tin Racecourse starts at 11:00 am. There will be 10 races on the card, scheduled from 1:00 pm to 5:45 pm Hong Kong Time (3pm to 7.45pm Sydney Time). Remember: All racegoers must be aged 18 or above.

Check out the Opening Days activities here: Copy and Paste this link into your browser:

http://special.hkjc.com/promo/en/2010_so/so10_event.asp

DEANJOHN

WET WEATHER FOR HONG KONG!

Tropical Depression Lionrock has weakened into an area of low pressure. Its remnant rainbands will still affect the coastal areas of Guangdong and the northern part of the South China Sea today.

As its remnant dissipates gradually, the weather over southern China will improve early next week. Tropical cyclone Malou will move towards the seas east of Taiwan in the next couple of days.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY:

Cloudy with rain. Rain will be heavy at times with squally thunderstorms in the morning. Temperatures will range between 25 and 30 degrees. Moderate to fresh south to southeasterly winds, strong over offshore waters and on high ground at first.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR SUNDAY:
Sunny intervals and a few showers. Minimum temperature: 25°, Maximum Temperature 30°

The sensational new season of Hong Kong racing commences tomorrow Sunday at Sha Tin. First race jumps at 3pm Sydney time.

So, on the eve of another great season, let's re-visit one of the great races in Hong Kong: the clash between Sunline and Fairy King Prawn in the Hong Kong Mile at the end of 2000.

Sunline had led from the start. But at the 200, Fairy King Prawn came out of the pack flying and with the Hong Kong crowd cheering for their local hero, he flashed home.

They hit the line locked together.

Photo!

Sunline had held on to win!

SUNLINE!

Here is the race

SUNLINE v FAIRY KING PRAWN

It's Back!

Oh, it's been such a long, long time,
Looks like I get you off my mind,
Oh, but I can't,
Just the thought of you,
Turns my whole world,
A misty blue.

YES HONG KONG IS BACK!!



Just the mention of your name,
Turns the flicker to a flame,
I think of things we used to do,
Then my whole world,
Turns misty blue.

HONG KONG!

YES HONG KONG RACING RETURNS TODAY!

MARK YOUR DIARIES:Racing starts at 3pm Sydney Time.

DEANJOHN

PREVIEW TIME.

Copy and Paste this link into your browser and CLICK on any of the RED BALLS corresponding to the race you want to preview.

http://www.hkjc.com/english/press/showcase.asp

Afer 50mm of rain in the last 24 hours, it is now HOT and the track is now GOOD!

Here are some links that will increase your enjoyment of today's Hong Kong races.

ON-LINE BROADCAST LINK:
Enjoy all the excitement uninterrupted direct from the track at this link:

http://www.hkjc.com/english/press/live.asp

JOCKEY CHALLENGE
Follow the Jockey Challenge and see the odds change race by race.

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/JockeyBooking.asp

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
A few showers. Sunny intervals in the afternoon. Moderate east to southeasterly winds.
Outlook : Sunny periods in the next couple of days.

NEXT HONG KONG MEETING:
Wednesday September 8 for the NIGHT OPENING at HAPPY VALLEY.

Good Luck to Everyone

DEANJOHN

Photo Release : The Season Opening Raceday at Sha Tin Yesterday!

The city came alive yesterday (5 September) with the striking of a ceremonial gong that marked the eagerly-awaited start of the new racing season.

At the curtain-raiser at Sha Tin Racecourse, oncourse fans enjoyed spectacular racing as well as a befitting array of oncourse events, including special free gifts for all.

Check it all out: Copy and Paste these links into your browser:

http://www.hkjc.com/english/corporate/racing_news_item.asp?in_file=/english/news/news_2010090526009.htm

and

http://www.hkjc.com/english/corporate/racing_news_item.asp?in_file=/english/news/news_2010090526012.htm

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday for the NIGHT OPENING at HAPPY VALLEY.

DEANJOHN

More than 48,000 fans turned out to welcome the 2010/11 season on Sunday at Sha Tin as the Caspar Fownes-trained rising star Lucky Nine excelled in the feature race, the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, expressed satisfaction with the day's turnover of HK$781 million, pointing out that by most important measurements opening day 2010 was an improvement on 12 months ago with gross margin up by HK$3 million on the previous year, betting duty paid to the Government up HK$2 million and amount retained by the Club for operating expenses and charities contributions up by HK$1 million.

Smaller fields than last year's meant there was a slight shortfall in turnover from 2009 but this was a direct consequence of the shorter break between the seasons. ''There's no doubt the slight turnover dip reflects the fact that this year we had a shorter off season break,'' said Engelbrecht-Bresges.

''Numbers of runners were down by nearly 20 per cent today, but when you see the number of horses trialling you realise that in two to three weeks time we will be back to normal in terms of fields and therefore turnover.

''From the sporting point of view,'' he added, ''the day was certainly a success, particularly when you see a three-year-old like Lucky Nine able to beat the older horses as he did. It's clear he's a potential star.''

The Honorable Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR (Special Administration Region), was guest of honour on opening day at Sha Tin for the running of the race that bears the title of his office.

In accordance with tradition Mr Tsang teamed up first of all with the Club's new chairman T Brian Stevenson to dot the eyes of an enormous two-metre tall lion, a ceremony at which the Club Stewards were also in attendance. Then, with all jockeys present to greet the crowd, he declared the new season officially open with the striking of the gong.

And the feature race, the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup, matched the spectacular occasion, with a superb finish in which Lucky Nine, ridden by Brett Prebble, cut down last year's winner Nightlign, the mount of his arch rival, champion Douglas Whyte, in a pulsating finish that confirmed the winner as a likely force to be reckoned with in the top class this season.

''No worries at all. We got the perfect run,'' said Prebble, who came fast and late to snatch the lead 50m from the finish of the 1200m to win by a neck.

''He's going to be even better when we go a bit further with him later in the season,'' said Fownes of the heavily-favoured winner. ''He's a progressive horse, and when he takes the next step up to a mile he's going to be tougher still. He definitely does need further, but that was a very good effort at this trip, and the time (1.09.07) was excellent.''

Nightlign put in a bold bid to retain his 2009 title but could not resist the winner's final turn of foot which bucked the trend on a day when runners on the pace seemed to hold a strong advantage over those closing late.

The Jockeys' Challenge went to Prebble whose treble on Lucky Nine, Superior Unit and Royal Pumpkin just trumped Zac Purton's on General Danroad, Namjong Fighters and Fionn's Dragon as last season's narrowly defeated runner-up in the jockeys' championship scored more heavily on placings.

Training honours went to Fownes whose double with Lucky Nine and Royal Pumpkin gave him an early lead in the trainers' championship as the only one to score more than once on a day when eight others opened their seasonal accounts.

THE OPENING NIGHT MEETING OF THE SEASON IS TOMORROW WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT HAPPY VALLEY.

First race : 9.15pm Sydney Time

The night comes alive tonight at Happy Valley! And a "two-for-one" beer offer in the Beer Garden! What more can you want! ~ Let the good times roll !

Happy Valley Racecourse will stage the first night meeting of the season this tonight Wednesday (8 September).

The evening promises to be one of unparalleled racing entertainment with the opening of the 1O1O Million Challenge, the prestigious racing series to be held at the city track until February. A Match 'n' Win game* with chances to win hot new Smartphone handsets, as well as a "two-for-one" beer offer will get the good times rolling on the evening.

To celebrate the first night meeting of the season, fans will be given a Match 'n' Win game ticket upon admission to the racecourse and the chance to win hot new Smartphone handsets as well as over 1,000 other fantastic prizes, including a stylish USB hub.

Distinguished guests from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and 1O1O will officiate at this season's 1O1O Million Challenge opening ceremony, to be held before Race 3 on Wednesday, the first qualifying race of the series.

After the start of Race 3, a ceremonial bell will be rung in the Beer Garden to signify the start of a buy-one-get-one-free draught beer offer there, which continues until the start of Race 4.

This season's 1O1O Million Challenge features races of Class 3 or above at the city track from 8 September 2010 to 23 February 2011.

There will be eight races on the card, with the first race starting at 7:15 pm Hong Kong time (9.15pm Sydney Time).

All racegoers must be aged 18 or above.

Check out the OPENING NIGHT ACTION. Copy and Paste this link into your browser:

http://special.hkjc.com/promo/en/2010_so/so10_event_hv.asp

DEANJOHN

ITS GOING TO BE A HOT NIGHT IN THE BEER GARDEN!!

The Very Hot Weather Warning has now been hoisted in Hong Kong. The following warning has been issued: Hot weather might cause adverse health effects and Members of the public should take care to avoid heatstroke.

Racing begins at 9.15pm Brisbane Time!

Going Info:
Happy Valley, Turf, A Course
Current Going:Good [Race 1, Turf]
Penetrometer Reading : 2.71 [as of 8:00am]
(It is planned to roll the track after the 4th race, weather permitting.)

What an opening night at Happy Valley! Hot as hell, then straight after Race 7, the weather takes a turn for the worse!

40mm of rain fell in half an hour, delayed the running of the final event - which was taken out by Golden Bauhinia on a downgraded soft track (aussie : heavy)

- - - and also hosed out the beer garden revellers who packed the course earlier in the night to cheer in the new season.

What a STORM! Just loved the 3 guys in the Beer Garden who remained at their posts drinking their pots of beer while the storm raged around them! Fantastic!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO RELEASE : - The night sure did come alive!

Copy and Paste this link into your browser:

http://www.hkjc.com/english/corporate/racing_news_item.asp?in_file=/english/news/news_2010090826047.htm

The third meeting of the season is at SHA TIN this SUNDAY.

oh no Golden Bauhinia i followed that last season, forgot honkers was back :(

70mm of rain at Sha Tin in the last 24 hours.

The early Track and Weather Report for Sha Tin Sunday is:

Weather forecast for today Saturday: Cloudy with rain, heavy at times with a few squally thunderstorms. Moderate westerly winds.

Outlook : Heavy rain at first tomorrow. Weather becoming fine early next week.

Current Track Rating is GOOD TO YIELDING!

First race jumps at 12.45pm HK Time (2.45pm Sydney Time).

Here is the rainfall distribution map for the last 24 hours, indicating about 70mm of rain at Sha Tin. Copy and Paste this link into your browser:

http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/rainfall/isohyet_p24e.shtml

Amazing Hong Kong. After 70mm of rain yesterday, just half a day of sunshine and the track is now GOOD.

Going Info:
Sha Tin, MIXED, C Plus 3 metres course

Current Going:Good [Race 1, Turf] Penetrometer Reading : 2.88 [as of 8:00am]

DIRT TRACK: Clegg Hammer Reading : 6.40 [as of 8:00am]

DEANJOHN

ALERT!

RAIN IN HONG KONG! Hong Kong horses hate rain!

Track is sure to be affected soon so caution is advised with betting and the use of the SECTIONAL STANDARDS is NOT RECOMMENDED!