Jockey Club cancels Sha Tin races as Typhoon Koinu nears Hong Kong

Sunday’s race meeting at Sha Tin was cancelled early on Sunday by the Jockey Club, as Typhoon Koinu approached Hong Kong.

With heavy showers expected, the Hong Kong Observatory had said it planned to issue the No 8 storm signal, and finally did so at 12.40pm.

“Given that the No 8 gale or storm signal will be issued between noon and 2pm today, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announces that in the interest of public and equine safety, the Sha Tin race meeting scheduled today will be cancelled,” the Jockey Club said in a statement.

It is the third consecutive season that has seen a meeting lost to weather and officials will be scouring the calendar for a place to fit a replacement fixture.

While there are few gaps in the schedule as a result of the season starting a week later than normal for the second successive year, there is a small window between Christmas and New Year’s Eve which could potentially fit an added meeting at a stretch.

All cash bets on Sunday’s 10 races will be refunded on presentation of tickets, all bets placed through telebet and digital channels will be refunded directly to the respective betting accounts and patrons who have booked on-course facilities will be refunded.