MJC NEWS

[poledancer]

The Management Committee of the Macau Jockey Club has decided to issue domestic Group status to the 13 major races conducted by the Club for the new season.
This will further enhance the standing of these races and provide the participants of these races an opportunity to upgrade their international status.
The abovementioned 13 major races conducted by the Macau Jockey Club with their domestic Group status are as follows:
Race Purse (HK$) Age Distance
(Meters & Surface Type)
Group 1 (3)
Macau Derby 2,200,000 4 yo 1800 T
Macau Gold Cup 800,000 3 yo up 1800 T
Directors' Cup 650,000 3 yo up 1200 T
Group 2 (4)
Macau Guineas 700,000 4 yo 1500 T
Macau Star of the Sand Stakes 700,000 4 yo 1600 S
Chairman's Challenge Cup 650,000 3 yo up 1500 T
Macau Cup 650,000 3 yo up 1500 T
Group 3 (6)
Macau Sprint Trophy 700,000 4 yo 1200 T
Macau Galaxy 650,000 4 yo 1050 S
Winter Trophy 600,000 3 yo up 1800 T
Spring Trophy 600,000 3 yo up 1400 T
Summer Trophy 600,000 3 yo up 1200 T
Autumn Trophy 600,000 3 yo up 1700 T

[poledancer]

New Policy on Jockey Substitutions
The Management Committee of the Macau Jockey Club has decided to enforce the following policy regarding jockey changes for the 2002/03 Racing Season, effective immediately:
1. In the case of jockeys being injured, he is eligible to resume riding as soon as cleared by the Club Medical Officers.
2. In the case of an indisposed jockey, irrespective if he is indisposed before a race meeting or during a race meeting, he will not be eligible to accept rides for the next race meeting or if already declared for the following race meeting then he will be replaced.
3. In the case of a jockey being found to be overweight, the standard penalty shall be a fine of HK$5,000 for the first offence, doubled for the second offence and a possible suspension for any further offences.

[cheesebeast]

Courtesy Racing and Sports

Out of murky waters and confidently into the future

Often described as the 'little brother' of the HKJC, a quick glance at the recent history of the Macau Jockey Club and you'll note larger peaks and troughs than the mighty Himalayas!

Former Sydney Steward, now Director of Racing and Chief Stipe Ian Patterson spoke to HK correspondent David Crawley about the recent turbulence and the possibility of the MJC finally being allowed to grow up.

It may only be a one-hour ferry from the glitter of Happy Valley but for years you could never find Macau on the racing map.

Formerly a trotting track, the visionaries back in the late 80's decided thoroughbred racing was the go and started from scratch. With no track, no horses, and very little infrastructure, the MJC's entire operation gained momentum year by year.

No one outside Asia really knew about the caper, save for a handful of foreigners - mostly Aussie and NZ ex-pats - horsemen and women who were contracted to the club to cover the necessary positions where the locals had little experience or expertise.

For most of the last decade however, the development of the Club had accelerated like a bank robber's getaway car, only to hit various brick walls erected beyond the MJC's control.

But like any youngster pitted against an older sibling, the MJC never gave up and instead, got plucky and came out swinging in order to maintain its identity. The persistence paid off. The voice of little brother is at last being heard.

One person who has overseen the rollercoaster ride of the MJC is current Director of Racing and Chief Steward Ian Patterson.

Patterson had been deputy to John Schreck in Sydney in the mid 90's, and had again rejoined 'The Sheriff' in Macau after a successful stint together in Malayasia.

It was during this period that the MJC held its highest profile, hosting the 1999 Asian Racing Conference (ARC), touted the best to have ever been staged.

From humble beginnings, the MJC had impressed all with just how far they had come and in such a short period of time.

Soon after the conference, Schreck was lured to Hong Kong and Patterson was offered to replace him. They were big boots to fill. Schreck had given the club huge amounts of credibility, but Patterson felt confident he could step out from behind Schreck's legacy and perhaps forge a few of his own.

"I was lucky enough to be deputy under John both in Singapore and when John first went to Macau I became Racing Manager and Chief Steward there. With all the experience I had gained, I was happy and confident to step up."

When probed further about why he was getting himself into the racing administration side of things as opposed to straight up stewarding he replied: "There are new dimensions that come under Racing Administration that you just don't get with Stewarding; areas such as the laboratory, vet hospital, track and stable issues all fall under the racing manager's umbrella. The opportunity to work in these areas can help fast track a career".

It appeared Patterson had made the right choice. The aftermath of staging the ARC saw race club officials from all over Asia cranking their necks to see what was going on over at Taipa.

They weren't the only ones.

In March 2001 about a million or so racing purists from around the globe raised a collective eyebrow when Macau's top rated horse, Active Bo Bo, claimed the scalp of none other than Nuclear Debate, the reigning European sprinting heavyweight, in the 2001 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m) a lead up to the prestigious Dubai World Cup meeting. No only that, but Macau's other entrant, Gold World Winner, ran third in the same race.

Active Bo Bo was unplaced in the final on World Cup night while Gold World Winner only made the program as an emergency but the efforts of these horses, from a jurisdiction like Macau, whose horse population rarely goes beyond 1000 horses, was absolutely staggering and indeed a credit to all concerned.

Back home and the domestic picture was looking just as rosy with the MJC hosting its best ever Derby Day in April 2002.

Jockeys came from far and wide to get amongst it all and included superstars like Frankie Dettori, French sensation Olivier Delouze, USA multiple champion Pat Eddery, and Aussie king pins Paddy Payne and Glen Boss.

That sort of roll call would clearly eclipse any AJC or VRC Derby Day effort and when Dettori performed his customary 'starjump' off the Derby victor, (Royal Treasure, formerly Sarson Trail), the biggest crowd ever seen at Taipa went berserk, celebrating not only a great leap from the jockey, but a great leap from the Club as a whole. Royal Treasure went on to become the first ever Macau representative on HK International Day, emphasizing Macau's growing reputation.

It all seemed too good to be true … and it was.

In May 2002 a Hong Kong amendment to the Gambling Ordinance prohibited HK residents from gambling outside its borders or for any gambling entity to accept such bets.

It had a crippling effect on MJC turnover, made up mostly by Hong Kong punters.

"We lost 50% of turnover immediately, which stabilised to about 30% after a few months," Patterson recalled.

"The club introduced various cost savings, including a reduction in salaries, so we were able to get through without decreasing prizemoney."

No mean feat when the Club distributed HK$262 million in prize money last year.

With bookmakers having been on the world heritage 'endangered species' list for some time around the racing globe, the Macau Government bucked the trend and introduced bookmakers of their own.

"The Macau Government granted Betting Agents a license to operate on track. Originally there were four, now there's five and it's soon going to six," Patterson said.

The effect on turnover was dramatic.

"When the gambling amendment commenced we were turning over only HK$25 million per meeting. Now, since the betting agents have been introduced, turnover averages around $HK85 million per meeting with the current record standing at $HK154 million."

Quoting before and after figures doesn't tell the whole story.

For months the club was in limbo, morale barely registering among its employees. While the downhill spiral of turnover was being addressed, the MJC, still smarting after the treatment they had been dealt from the Hong Kong Government, went on the offensive, threatening to operate betting pools on HK racing if a compromise could not be reached.

Relations were once again strained, but not long after SARS came along and rightly took priority.

The SARS outbreak, which shook Hong Kong last year, remarkably did not reach Macau. Although general tourism grinded to a halt, and was reflected in a decline in racecourse attendance, there was no drastic effect on the MJC operations.

While the SARS epidemic continued to grab all the headlines, what was being missed in the fine print was the ongoing negotiations between the HKJC and the MJC. Beijing was keen for the two parties to help each other resolve their differences and a new spirit of co-operation was entered into.

This has resulted in the first ever exchange races to be held this month, known as The Hong Kong Macau Trophy.

It will be run over 1600m at Sha Tin, with the carrots dangling totalling a substantial $HK2.3 million.

Six horses from Macau will be nominated to compete against eight Hong Kong selected runners. It will be reversed in the second leg, the Macau Hong Kong Trophy to be held in April over 1500m at Taipa, with the MJC matching big brother's HK$2.3 million in stakes. That puts the race second only behind the coveted Derby, (HK$ 2.38 million), for stake money in Macau and it should prove a popular spectacle on both sides of the Pearl River Delta.

Although these races will have little impact on the international racing scene, the International Standard Cataloging Committee recently confirmed in Paris that five races on the Macau calendar have been granted black type status for the first time - another shot in the arm enhancing Macau's profile.

Another idea proposed involves the MJC acting as a betting agent for the HKJC on Hong Kong meetings. Phantom meetings will be staged at Taipa and all bets will funnel back into HK betting pools.

In return for the increase in their turnover, the HKJC will pay a commission to the MJC. "Essentially, the MJC will be an agent as soon as the technology is finalised and some minor alterations to the existing gambling ordinances of both countries are finalized." Patterson confirmed.

Such proposals mooted only a few years ago would have been met with the same absurdity as those hearing Darwin's theory of evolution for the first time.

Now, they are merely a few stepping stones to reality.

All credit to both clubs in finding amicable solutions for what was considered a powder keg of a problem, the fuse already lit.

As for Ian Patterson, he has signed on for another two years.

He admits his Cantonese remains "poor" and the cultural change has been "difficult at times" but he is happy to remain working in Macau.

"There are more advantages than disadvantages here - for me and my family," he says.

Patterson is joined by Tom Hughes, a former Chief Steward in South Australia and Brett Wright who had 15 years experience in Sydney prior to his Asian sortie.

Together they will oversee a further transformation of the MJC, one that sees the club enter into new unchartered, co-operative territory with its HK counterparts.

While the shackles of the 'little brother' tag are ever to remain, it is an era where hopefully, it will be treated with increasing respect by its big brother.

[imaufo]

the biggest crowd ever seen at Taipa went berserk,

Lol...I think that the " biggest crowd ever seen" was us!:p :D :p

[cheesebeast]

Who's that David Crawley bloke that wrote this article?;)

[imaufo]

He must have been a part of the crowd...in fact Im sure he was hanging out with Frankie that day...:cool:

[imaufo]

Documentary makes great viewing in Derby romp


WORLD OF RACING by MURRAY BELL

Michael Kent added to his growing reputation as a big-occasion trainer with the facile victory of unbeaten Documentary in Sunday's Group One Macau Derby at Taipa.

Kent, originally from Melbourne, had five successful seasons in Singapore before turning his focus to Macau and now boasts the two biggest trophies on the MJC calendar - the Gold Cup and the Derby.

Similarly, during his tour of duty in Singapore, Kent was successful at the highest level, winning the very first million-dollar race run in the republic, the Singapore Gold Cup, with Carry The Flag (Brett Doyle) in 1999.

Documentary, a four-year-old bred in Tasmania, started his career in Macau in a 1,000 metres Class Four race back in December. Michael Cahill took the ride on Documentary, whose scorecard now reads five for five.

[cheesebeast]

Link to tycoon's wife in laundering case
Office of firm headed by directors of Macau Jockey Club is raided by police


PETER MICHAEL

Police have raided the offices of a Hong Kong company headed by Macau Jockey Club directors Li Chi-keung and Angela Leung On-kei, wife of billionaire casino mogul Stanley Ho Hung-sun, as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a $400 million money-laundering case linked to illegal horse-race betting.

Six officers from the Hong Kong Police financial investigations unit and Organised Crime and Triad Bureau seized numerous files and documents from Onshine Securities during Thursday's raid.

Mr Li, a high-profile horse-racing figure and former Macau Jockey Club chief executive, refused to comment about the raids, saying he "was too busy to talk".

"I have nothing to tell you," he said last night.

Senior police investigators last night confirmed they had seized several boxes of financial documents, legal files and cheques from the offices in Central Tower, Queen's Road, during the search.

It is understood one cheque removed as evidence alone totalled more than $165 million.

Police launched the raids after tracing a money trail - involving $400 million believed to have come from offshore bets on horse racing - to the Security and Futures Commission-registered company, police sources said.

Mr Li, his wife, Wong Hoi-ping, and a long-time associate, Chan Sum-fat, are listed as the responsible persons of Onshine Securities on the SFC website.

Ms Leung, the fourth wife of the Macau casino boss and property tycoon, is one of the directors of the company.

Both Mr Li and Ms Leung are on the MJC board of directors as well as being co-directors of the Grandview Hotel in Macau.

The case is believed to be separate from another scandal engulfing Mr Ho's multibillion-dollar gambling empire, controlled through the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM), after his sister, Winnie Ho Yuen-ki, released documents that allegedly detail an elaborate underground currency-smuggling operation from the mainland into Hong Kong and overseas.

"It [the horse racing and illegal bookies case] is believed to be a separate matter from the alleged money laundering through the STDM casinos," a source, close to the bilateral investigation, said.

The Macau Jockey Club, under the chairmanship of Mr Ho, has been actively trying to negotiate an agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club to allow people from Macau to bet on the HKJC betting pool.

But concerns about the transparency of the Macau Jockey Club operation have proved to be a stumbling block in their ongoing negotiations.

http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZVVI6PDVD.html

[cheesebeast]

Saturday, 28 August 2004: Australian jockeys Michael Cahill and John Didham will start the new Macau racing season with suspensions hanging over them.

The 2003-04 Macau season ended on Saturday with Cahill running out an easy winner of the riding premiership.

However he has been unsuccessful in an appeal against a careless riding suspension imposed on August 21 that leaves him to pay a $HK40,000 fine and sit out two meetings on September 18 and 21.

Didham also was unsuccessful in his appeal against the severity of his suspension also imposed on him on August 21 and will miss three meetings September 21, 26 and 28 plus a fine of $HK90,000.

Cahill and Didham both had the original fines imposed on them on August 21 increased at the appeals.

In other Macau news NSW-based jockey Shane Treweek will take up his third
riding contract at Taipa from September 12 until December 17.

His three-month visiting jockey's licence follows his previous stints in Macau in 2002 and 2003 when he rode a total of 67 winners and 156 placings.

The Macau Jockey Club has also announced that former Australian steward Ian Paterson will relinquish his role as chief steward to concentrate on his duties as Director of Racing.

Paterson will be responsible for the formulation and implementation of racing policies and operating procedures with the aim of enhancing the standard of racing in Macau.

He will also work to expand relationships with overseas racing jurisdictions.

http://www.aapracingandsports.com.au/cms/cmspopnews.asp?NID=47462

[cheesebeast]

Courtesy Racing and Sports

Sunday, 19 September 2004: It must count as one of the rarest doubles ever achieved in world racing,

The connections of Australian weight-for-age star Natural Blitz had a double reason to celebrate on September 18, thanks to their Macau-trained galloper of the same name.

The same syndicate that races two horses under the name of Natural Blitz in Australia and Macau had both gallopers win on the same day at Rosehill and Taipa on September 18.

Their Australian-trained Natural Blitz won the G2 Hill Stakes at Rosehill in Sydney, followed several hours later by their Macau-trained galloper of the same name setting a new track record at Taipa when he won by six lengths over 1000 metres

Harry Troy, the former leading Australian jockey who is now a prominent media figure in Macau, advised Racing and Sports that the Taipa record-breaker has now won eight races in succession.

"He raced as Shout From Maroof as a two-year-old in Perth and had his named changed to Natural Blitz when he arrived here to match the horse the same syndicate own in Australia," Troy said.

"He was ridden by John Didham and ran the 1000 metres on Saturday in a new track record time of 55.4 seconds to easily beat the former Melbourne sprinters Troubles and Dantana."

Troy also reported that Bernadette Cooper and Noel Callow rode doubles at Taipa on Saturday.

"Bernadette is off to a flying start and is certain to get a lot of support from trainers," Troy said.

"Noel Callow made a big impression here last season and it was good to see him quickly back on the scoreboard."

Meanwhile Australian jockeys Brent Stanley and John Powell are also riding in great form in Mauritius.

Stanley rode a double on Saturday, taking his tally to four wins from 23 rides, while a single win for Powell gave him 11 wins from 71 rides during his current stay.

http://www.aapracingandsports.com.au/cms/cmspopnews.asp?NID=48679

[Steppin Short]

MJC Director of Racing Mr Ian Paterson representing the Macau Jockey Club at the 38th International Conference of Horse Racing Authorities held in Paris returned to Macau on 7 October, and brought with him exciting news for the Club.

In the Conference, the International Cataloguing Standards Committee has decided that Macau will be included in Part II of the International Cataloguing Standards Blue Book. Therefore, all of Macau's 12 feature races on turf are now in Part II of the ICSC Blue Book. They are Macau Derby, Macau Hong Kong Trophy, Macau Gold Cup, Directors' Cup, Macau Guineas, Chairman's Challenge Cup, Macau Cup, Macau Sprint Trophy, Winter Trophy, Spring Trophy, Summer Trophy and Autumn Trophy.

This now brings Macau in line with Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan in internationally recognised black type group status.

[cheesebeast]

Annual Attendance and Turnover
Season Attendance Total Turnover
89/90 268,561 462,642,000
90/91 305,957 637,308,000
91/92 349,845 979,940,000
92/93 353,730 1,296,616,000
93/94 324,953 1,296,133,000
94/95 367,185 1,521,334,000
95/96 376,487 2,285,331,000
96/97 352,440 2,635,168,000
97/98 369,957 3,421,173,000
98/99 325,444 3,576,040,000
99/00 306,319 3,567,430,000
00/01 284,569 4,019,742,000
01/02 330,298 3,263,321,000
02/03 308,168 3,297,540,000
03/04 369,792 9,089,238,000

http://www.macauhorse.com/NEWMJCPAGE/MJCPAGE/CLUBDB/eentryrec.htm