Jockey Club postpones Conghua Racecourse launch after mainland risk assessment

The Jockey Club has opted to postpone the launch of regular racing at Conghua Racecourse because of “a latest risk assessment from the relevant mainland departments”.

Operating as a world-class training centre for Hong Kong racehorses since 2018, Conghua was set to stage the first of several race meetings on October 31, with the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising to be the headline act of the racecourse’s following fixture in November.

However, the Jockey Club announced on Wednesday night that the October launch has been postponed.

“The Club has all along been working closely with the relevant Mainland departments, and has followed and completed all necessary statutory and procedural requirements to prepare for the launch of world-class horse racing at Conghua Racecourse in October this year,” the statement said.

“The Club has very recently received a latest risk assessment from the relevant Mainland departments. Following discussions between both parties, it was agreed that we will continue to work closely together to devise appropriate mitigation measures. As such, the originally scheduled October event will be postponed to a later date.”

The Jockey Club had shifted the Group Two Jockey Club Sprint to Conghua on November 21 to showcase the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, to the mainland.

The postponement followed announcements by the club earlier on Wednesday that champion galloper Romantic Warrior was retired from racing because of a leg injury and Ka Ying Rising has been battling a bruised hoof.

Ka Ying Rising will be the headline act of Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin when he bids for a record-extending 21st consecutive win in the Group Three HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup.

Trainer David Hayes said the setback was only minor and he confident his stable star will be given the all clear to race on Sunday.

“It’s absolutely fine,” Hayes said.

“After his trial [last Sunday], he went into his box and he must have kicked the wall and bruised his hoof.

“He had a day in the pool the next day and he was fine. The club, with my consent, scanned him and checked him every way known to mankind and he came up all clear, so it’s good.

“Just in case it lingered for a few days, we wanted to know exactly what it was and it came out as a bit of bruising. Luckily he missed no track work and he’s fine.”