Though the usual suspects from the horse racing world will make their annual pilgrimage to Hong Kong and the International Races, one hopes that the races on that Sunday at Shatin attract those millions in the city who have never attended this event.
Why, no interest?
The world has changed and continues to change and we’re very also different people, especially during these post pandemic times of great uncertainty and change.
Frankly, I haven’t attended HKIR week since I was married and that was many full moons ago.
This was the time when racing friends- all males- from Macau, Australia and the UK would come to Hong Kong for an extended stay that included visits to upmarket karaoke lounges, late night bars like Feather Boa and trolling the Lan Kwai Fong and Wanchai areas into the early hours of the morning.
At the races at Shatin on that Sunday, we would have our usual table on the balcony, free flowing champagne, buy a Triple Trio ticket and were happy being with friends and looking forward to what might happen after the races.
At least for us, it was a big boys day and night out.
Why the decades’ long absence?
Friends left, new partners walked into one’s life, priorities changed, different business interests and technologies like ‘live’ streaming brought pretty much everything to you, and something like going horse racing lost its aspirational value and took a backseat role until the entire backseat flipped over and disappeared for many.
Why should things be any different this year?
Well, there’s pride at stake- Hong Kong pride and at at a time when despite whatever rosiness is being reported, there an uneasy sense of pessimism with Hong Kong Belongers.
There’s a need for something to cheer on- not in 3-5 years time- but tomorrow and especially on December 8.
This day could even be a watershed moment for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to have racing be part of the wider world of sports entertainment and not remain in its own little shoebox with its quaint language and thinking from the days of yore.
At the centre of it all are two Hong Kong equine heroes- Romantic Warrior with his successes in the Cox Plate in Australia, the Middle East, and winning the prestigious Yasuda Kinen in Japan, and Ka Ying Rising, the up and coming sprinter who could be anything.
Both take on some of the world’s best on that Sunday and if they were to win, this would be a much needed boost for the morale and present and future of Hong Kong.
It’s long overdue to make Hong Kong “the world’s International city” again instead of just kicking back and watching the wheels roll by or fall off due to a lack of a USP.
For the HKJC, it might mean taking a brand new look with new eyes at its racing product, how its presented, where it's seen and heard, and making some much needed changes that will revolutionise the ‘look’ and vibe of the game forever.
Like what?
Like changes in its communications strategy which should be far more international and compelling than bitty corporate reportage about attendance figures and turnover.
Bring in guest mainstream media writers, bring in proven names in the world of sports entertainment like Simon Fuller, ensure far better marketing efforts and creativity that’s of Group 1 level that works in harmony with Hong Kong’s current super equine talent.
This cannot be “another HKIR” aimed purely at a dwindling captive audience that’s not getting any younger.
This should be The Mutha Of Them All.
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