A former colleague in advertising revisiting Hong Kong after over twenty years was mentioning just how much the city- and everything in it- has changed, and not for the better either. Having been invited to Riyadh for the running of the Saudi Cup and watching Japan’s Forever Young win and meeting the team behind this equine superstar, we talked about the horse racing in Hong Kong, which he had seen up close and personal last Thursday at the bang a gong Chinese New Year’s Day

He’s chilled and strong willed with the determination to win He doesn’t settle for being second best Some even call him King He just smiles and looks and takes it all in He doesn’t ever forget About where he came from And all the places he’s been Heavy is the head that wears the mighty crown There are always those who want to see him slide and on the way down But Zac is hip to the game He’s seen it all before He’s not gonna let his guard down He’s busy keeping score

As someone who grew up, down and sideways in Hong Kong and took in the races at Happy Valley racecourse before “graduating” to see the start of horse racing at Shatin, what I have always wanted to see is a greater “fusion” between the sport and the city, and a more mainstream audience. Being in marketing for as long as I have and having lived and breathed advertising and creating product awareness, what has still not happened is this marriage between Hong Kong racing and Hong