@Huey's on the Grand Tour

[Chief Stipe]

[Huey]

6 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Got better tickets than that @Chief Stipe , might venture over later to check out all the new racing fans though!

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Huey said:

Got better tickets than that @Chief Stipe , might venture over later to check out all the new racing fans though!

I must be quite close - 3rd floor or Ground floor?

[Chief Stipe]

Geez @Huey the Grand Tour is starting to rock.  Live band.  Can you get in the lift and roll over!

[Freda]

Horrendous noise. 

[Shad]

Hope you fellas had a good day out an found a few winners, I find riccarton not the greatest day out, the racing so far away, not many vantage points to get high enough to use the binoculars, only way to see where your money goes is to find the TV monitor, used to enjoy the public stand, guess if your a member you get more privileges, but from a public point of view, it not ideal.

[Shad]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

Horrendous noise. 

I bet, another thing that irks me, if ya at the races, nothing worse than music in the back ground, if ya want music head down to the disco.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Shad said:

I bet, another thing that irks me, if ya at the races, nothing worse than music in the back ground, if ya want music head down to the disco.

There wasn't any music that interfered with the Racing.  The sound wasn't turned up until the end of the day.  As for not wanting music some of the big race day events in OZ are now tacking name bands onto the end of the day.  Aiming at the younger crowd and it seems to be working.

 

[Shad]

5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

There wasn't any music that interfered with the Racing.  The sound wasn't turned up until the end of the day.  As for not wanting music some of the big race day events in OZ are now tacking name bands onto the end of the day.  Aiming at the younger crowd and it seems to be working.

 

That's good to hear, I know racing needs all the help it can get, for me the younger brigade aren't that interested in the racing so much, more the drinking and social outing,especially cup week,like the fashion shows, most only there for the prizes, not so much the horses and the punting, just a few of my thoughts, maybe I'm to much old school.

[Chief Stipe]

5 hours ago, Shad said:

That's good to hear, I know racing needs all the help it can get, for me the younger brigade aren't that interested in the racing so much, more the drinking and social outing,especially cup week,like the fashion shows, most only there for the prizes, not so much the horses and the punting, just a few of my thoughts, maybe I'm to much old school.

I dont agree.  I've had the opportunity to meet a few of the younger brigade over the past wee while.  There is a solid growing core that are really knowledgeable about the game and some punt in bigger amounts than I ever have.

Yes they love the whole event not just the racing.  Let's face it in the old days we had to sit around for 35 minutes between races reading the race book and Friday Flash, watching the parade ring and birdcage and preliminary.  While watching the tote ribbons or dodgy light bulbs showing the prices.

Nowadays you have most of thst information in the palm of your hand and 35 minutes is suddenly an age to fill in the gap.

25 to 30 years ago thousands used to turn up for the Wellington Cup and there were all sorts of entertainment.  Yet we fondly reminisce about those times!!

Where we may miss the boat is the marketing hasn't worked hard enough yet to capture more continuous engagement.

Too easy go be cynical and bang on about the great old days but entertainment has changed.

For a moment just think about your old punting days and imagine what it would have been like having all the information you needed and not having to queue to get a bet on unless you were in the $10 window.

[curious]

44 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

I dont agree.  I've had the opportunity to meet a few of the younger brigade over the past wee while.  There is a solid growing core that are really knowledgeable about the game and some punt in bigger amounts than I ever have.

Yes they love the whole event not just the racing.  Let's face it in the old days we had to sit around for 35 minutes between races reading the race book and Friday Flash, watching the parade ring and birdcage and preliminary.  While watching the tote ribbons or dodgy light bulbs showing the prices.

Nowadays you have most of thst information in the palm of your hand and 35 minutes is suddenly an age to fill in the gap.

25 to 30 years ago thousands used to turn up for the Wellington Cup and there were all sorts of entertainment.  Yet we fondly reminisce about those times!!

Where we may miss the boat is the marketing hasn't worked hard enough yet to capture more continuous engagement.

Too easy go be cynical and bang on about the great old days but entertainment has changed.

For a moment just think about your old punting days and imagine what it would have been like having all the information you needed and not having to queue to get a bet on unless you were in the $10 window.

I tend to agree with that. The young ones are there punting. The BGP crowd is a good example. They went for the punting first and the party after. My memorable days at Cup week were centered on a boot party, not the horses per se. Pity we can't still have those too but times have changed. It's fair to say that the after events primarily benefit the clubs, not racing at large, but it's one way of getting new generations involved and many I've run into are punting in between, even if only rocking up on carnival days. As someone said, that approach seems to be working in Oz. 

[Huey]

Too tired and a wee bit burnt to hit the Grand tour this time.

I thought the racing was great yesterday and picked a couple of winners. 

 

[Freda]

16 hours ago, Freda said:

Horrendous noise. 

Luckily it stopped a couple of hours after the last.  Not opposed to entertainment, music, etc , good concept as alluded to above....but had visions of the noise carrying on for a lot longer.  Thinking of the horses stabled very close by too.   Wish I'd been out with the hose when a woman fell off her heels and then threw up over my fence.

[curious]

23 minutes ago, Freda said:

Luckily it stopped a couple of hours after the last.  Not opposed to entertainment, music, etc , good concept as alluded to above....but had visions of the noise carrying on for a lot longer.  Thinking of the horses stabled very close by too.   Wish I'd been out with the hose when a woman fell off her heels and then threw up over my fence.

To hose her down or your fence?

[Freda]

38 minutes ago, curious said:

To hose her down or your fence?

Both!!!

[Shad]

7 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

I dont agree.  I've had the opportunity to meet a few of the younger brigade over the past wee while.  There is a solid growing core that are really knowledgeable about the game and some punt in bigger amounts than I ever have.

Yes they love the whole event not just the racing.  Let's face it in the old days we had to sit around for 35 minutes between races reading the race book and Friday Flash, watching the parade ring and birdcage and preliminary.  While watching the tote ribbons or dodgy light bulbs showing the prices.

Nowadays you have most of thst information in the palm of your hand and 35 minutes is suddenly an age to fill in the gap.

25 to 30 years ago thousands used to turn up for the Wellington Cup and there were all sorts of entertainment.  Yet we fondly reminisce about those times!!

Where we may miss the boat is the marketing hasn't worked hard enough yet to capture more continuous engagement.

Too easy go be cynical and bang on about the great old days but entertainment has changed.

For a moment just think about your old punting days and imagine what it would have been like having all the information you needed and not having to queue to get a bet on unless you were in the $10 window.

If this is the case I'm pleased to hear it, so our future looks bright, nothing to worry about.

[Murray Fish]

1 hour ago, Shad said:

If this is the case I'm pleased to hear it, so our future looks bright, nothing to worry about.

pardon!

 

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Shad said:

If this is the case I'm pleased to hear it, so our future looks bright, nothing to worry about.

No need for complacency or doom and gloom.

To be frank I've been to a few race meetings in the last year Metro and regional and some actually surprised me with the younger mob there.  

[Chief Stipe]

The horses will be wearing ear muffs at Addington on Tuesday.

[Shad]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

No need for complacency or doom and gloom.

To be frank I've been to a few race meetings in the last year Metro and regional and some actually surprised me with the younger mob there.  

As long as their there for the races, last couple cups I went to, they where there alright, but the didn't look likely they were there for the racing, more like the liquid refreshments, was a few years ago, be good if things have changed.

[curious]

Looks like events other than the horses work ok in HK, though year on year both turnover and attendance were down.

Ex-Miss Hong Kong contestant Samantha Ko among guests as Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day goes pink

Singer Yan Ting kicks off fashion-themed activities that also included show featuring creations by Hong Kong Design Institute graduates

 

by SCMP Sport

on Sunday, November 9, 2025 9:45 PM

Appearances by ex-Miss Hong Kong contestant Samantha Ko Hoi-ling and singer Yan Ting headlined the festivities at the 21st edition of the city’s most glamorous lifestyle racing event – Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day.

Punters swathed in pink descended on Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, with many flocking to the parade ring to watch singer Ting get the festivities under way shortly before the racing started.

Sa Sa also forged a special collaboration with the Hong Kong Design Institute to present a dazzling fashion show during the opening performance. The showcase featured a stunning series of creations crafted by graduates of the institute’s Higher Diploma in Fashion Image Design programme.

“I personally think the atmosphere and the dressing style was special today,” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO, said. “The fashion show was really good and we had a lot of positive feedback on it. I think that was something that was extremely well done.

 

“The quality of the attendance was different to what we had before and the new experience, Genso Eki, was full, so it was an extremely good atmosphere.”

Former Miss Hong Kong contestant Samantha Ko presented awards at the race day. Photo: Kenneth Chan

Racing fans were encouraged to dress up in their “most fashionable” pink outfits to compete for a “Best Dressed” contest, with Ko, who served as this year’s ambassador for the event, presenting awards to three winners.

Photo hotspots were set up at Champions Connection, with digital screens meant to showcase thoroughbred horses living in their natural habitat. There were also a number of themed kiosks showcasing Hong Kong treats such as egg waffles and teas.

And it would not have been a Sa Sa event without a beauty bazaar, complete with cosmetics, skincare products and perfumes on sale at discounted prices.

“The Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day is the most dazzling fashion event in Hong Kong’s horse-racing calendar and a highly sought-after experience for tourists,” Simon Kwok, chairman and CEO of Sa Sa International Holdings Limited, said.

“Sa Sa is committed to supporting this city’s most glamorous occasion, ensuring visitors leave with wonderful memories and enjoy a delightful experience, thereby contributing to the prosperity of the Hong Kong market.”

The Jockey Club said total turnover on the day was HK$1,508,403,572 (US$194 million), which was down 4.65 per cent.

A crowd of 39,271, which included around 6,000 tourists, passed through the gates, with that number down 2.42 per cent.

Edited 2 hours ago by curious