Government allows Jockey Club owners back on track

Government allows Jockey Club owners back on track. Owners were banned from Sha Tin on Sunday due to new social-distancing measures introduced to curb the spike of Covid-19 infections in the city. The new rules are in place for at least two weeks. Winning photos have been scrapped. The Jockeying Club has already sectioned off spots for the connections of each horse by number in a mounting yard. It will decide later what to do about the operating mode. They will announce the details later. JOCkeyloc has the permission and endorsement to have race meetings going forward. There will be a significant distance between the tables.

Manfred Man Ka-leung has won 21 winners for the term after 57 of 87 meetings. He is on track to break 30 winners in a season for first time since 2015-16. Care Free Prince and War Of Courage won at Sha Tin on Sunday. Chad Schofield finished 37th for season with nine winners.

There are 52 international entries across the three Group Ones from Japan, Australia, Britain and France. There are 50 nominations from Hong Kong-based gallopers. Almond Eye, Barney Roy, Indy Champ and Pierata are among the internationals holding tickets. Japan’s Win Bright captured the QE II Cup last year and connections were hopeful of defending their title. The ban on visitors to Hongkong will end on April 8. It is possible that grooms could arrive at that point and spend 14 days in quarantine before being cleared to help prepare any international horses for the meeting on Sunday, April 26.