Happy Valley racecourse received a firm seal of approval from jockeys after a series of eight barrier trials were staged at the newly-renovated track tonight, Friday, 10 October.
Hong Kong’s city course, famous for its vibrant Wednesday night meetings, usually stages monthly barrier trials on a Saturday morning, but the Hong Kong Jockey Club took the step of holding this rare evening programme to test out the newly-laid sections of the track, as well as the track’s new floodlight system.
Happy Valley has not staged racing since June due to the government’s Drainage Services Department’s work in connection with the Happy Valley Underground Stormwater Storage Scheme. Two sections of the turf course were excavated during the summer and the evening’s trials served to more fully test the viability of the new grass in those areas following a preliminary two-horse gallop two days earlier.
The eight heats saw 70 horses gallop across the surface and afterwards the feedback was positive.
“The grass is beautiful,” said 13-time Champion Jockey Douglas Whyte. “It feels like the same as always. The turf is in immaculate condition and I couldn’t fault it.”
Current premiership leader Joao Moreira was also impressed with the turf. “It looks good and feels good,” said the Brazilian. “They’ve done a good job to get the grass pretty even and I’m very happy with how it’s riding tonight.”
Among the upgrades the Club undertook during the period of closure was the installation of a new floodlight system, which utilises brighter lamps in reduced numbers. By doing this, the Club is now able to direct the lamps more directly onto the track, reducing light spill and so improving the external environment. In addition, the lighting’s new control system includes a dimmer function, which enables different operating levels in order to maintain the same brightness as the lights age. The new system will improve sustainability.
Mr William A Nader, HKJC’s Executive Director of Racing, was pleased with the evening’s outcomes. “Everything was good – the lights, the turf – it passed the test,” he said. “The jockeys all reported that they were happy with how the track is riding, so it’s pleasing to get that overwhelmingly positive feedback from them.”
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Photo 1:
An evening programme of 8 batches of barrier trial is held at the newly-renovated track in Happy Valley racecourse tonight (10 October).
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Photo 2:
Horses parade at the paddock before they go for the trial.
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