Despite the threat of the virus, which first emerged in nearby China but has since spread to Europe, America and other parts of Asia, the decision by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to continue racing has been backed by racing professionals.

Measures were brought in last month to restrict crowds and staff attending race days with temperature screening of attendees taking place and advice to wear medical masks when coming to the races.

Additionally, HKJC staff returning from mainland China to Hong Kong are required to self-isolate for 14 days, while those working at the Club’s training facility at Conghua are the subject of enhanced safety measures such as taking special coaches between venues.

Racing took place at Sha Tin on Sunday under the special measures, and aside from the unusually sparse crowds, leading jockey Zac Purton noticed little difference from a normal meeting.

He said: “To be honest there’s not been much difference. Having ridden in Australia for much of my career you get used to not having crowds around anyway.

“You don’t notice much difference until you’re walking around the paddock and the normal crowds aren’t around and it’s a lot quieter, but we’re doing our job otherwise. When you get out on to the track and to the stalls it’s then business as usual.”

A three-time champion jockey in Hong Kong, including the last two years, Purton is confident the HKJC has made the right move in allowing racing to take place under strict controls.

“I think they’ve shown good leadership,” he said. “They’ve put as many measures in place to keep us safe and healthy.
“We’re not wanting racing to stop. These are our jobs and our livelihoods and we need it to continue. I’ve sent my family back to Australia and there are a lot of costs associated with that, and other things, so we can’t afford not to be racing and making a living.”

Purton, best known outside Hong Kong for his association with the brilliant miler Beauty Generation, believes racing fans will be eager to return to the racecourse once the virus is under control.

He said: “At the moment we’re lucky in Hong Kong as we’ve got around 150 cases of the virus, but it doesn’t appear to be spreading as rapidly as it is across the border in China.

“It’s definitely business as usual for us. The owners are still coming to the races when they have a runner and people are keen to attend. No doubt once we get the all clear people will have a great appetite for it and want to come back to the races as soon as they can.”

Racingpost.com