Champion Crowd Expected for Champions Day

For what seems like forever, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has had to race virtually crowd-free due to necessary COVID restrictions. Given the context of those circumstances, next Sunday’s Champions Day at Sha Tin takes on even more meaning than would normally have been the case. Facing a well-drilled small platoon of Japanese raiders who all have significant claims on the silverware up for grabs, the locals are expected to have their biggest support base in over a year as authorities gear up for a crowd of over 6,000. Although still just a fraction of attendance for an equivalent race meeting of just two years ago, it is a huge step forward for racing in a region that has moved heaven and earth to keep the sport ticking over. Following a ‘trial’ crowd of similar allowable numbers last Saturday, Bill Nader, the HKJCs director of operations, told scmp.com, “Today was the first day that we were able to step-up attendance; we were clear to have 7,500 people today and it’s the same next Sunday – that number is up from 5,000 and everything is in a two-week cycle.” Of the maximum 7,500 attendees allowed on track, 4,800 will be reserved for members on Sunday.

Danon Smash will attempt to claim another Hong Kong major (pic: hkjc.com)