AND ARE THEY PERHAPS A LITTLE OFF?

If the visual in the Racing Post lift out for the opening day of the new Hong Kong racing season was a tad gloomy, the editorial in the SCMP with the headline, “Jockey Club must protect young fans” was a baffling piece of writing that went all over the place by saying everything, but with nothing making much sense.

“Protect”?

It was kinda like saying, “Why keep things simple when they can be complicated?”

If one really had to think about the editorial headline, it would echo the mandatory warning that every advertisement for horse racing in Hong Kong must carry: Gamble Responsibly.

What does this even mean?

When this warning is part of the advertising theme of “Love Racing” for Hong Kong racing, all common sense goes out the window.

One thinks about flaunting news of the HK$14 billion spent by the HKJC on “tourism racing”-new attractions like interactive entertainment features and technological bells and whistles that only add another layer of corporate tofu and self promotion.

The CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club is a smart man who has done much to bring world class international horse racing to Hong Kong, and it’s a bit of a head scratcher to see him approve such scattered thinking.

With an outdoor poster screaming out “STRIKE THE LUCKY GONG”, television viewers were shown people with umbrellas teeming into Shatin racecourse before the various dignitaries arrived and took their seats.

Despite the typhoon signal number 3 being raised, it was a rare appearance at the races by Hong Kong Chief Executive John KC Lee, who was seated next to the extremely well credentialed new Chairman of the HKJC in the Honourable Martin Liao.

Missing was Rosanna Law, the ubiquitous Secretary for Sports, Culture and Tourism.

Perhaps she was in some hot air balloon?

Hong Kong pop star MC Cheung performed with the right amount of pathos and his fans on course waved to him while he did his best to whip up some semblance of energy.

When, however, it’s noon and a gloomy Sunday in Hong Kong with a Blood Moon eclipse expected in the early hours of Monday, many were probably thinking about enjoying a Father’s Day lunch with family.

There was the traditional lion dance and acrobatics and all the other trimmings that are part and parcel of tradition before the participating jockeys made their way out.

The Chief Executive then banged the lucky gong as television cameras showed late arrivals making their way to the Public stands.

The first race of the new racing season was won by the galloper You’remyeverything ridden by local rider Derek Leung.

As expected, Ka Ying Rising with Zac Purton aboard- and who ended up riding in quintet of winners- shrugged off whatever competition there was by taking out the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup.

The world’s best sprinter’s next mission being to scale the Everest race in Sydney.

It was obvious by Chief Executive John Lee’s body language when having a quick word with jockey Zac Purton during the presentation ceremony that he was extremely impressed- and proud-with the win

This might be the best time for the HKJC to revamp its marketing efforts and work with the government to rid Hong Kong racing of warning signs.

It’s time to create a uniquely entertaining and likeable $14 billion Made In Hong Kong calling card for horse racing that attracts tourists, their families and the local community.

Likeable, Winfried, likeable, and not the usual corporate narrative of trotting out numbers that mean nothing to a Hong Kong doing its best in a world that’s changed forever.

Hong Kong racing can be The Little Engine That Could instead of seemingly being stuck in reverse and blindsided by its victories to only the racing crowd and believing its own publicity.

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