Hong Kong

[cnollfan]

A friend of mine might be attending the races at Happy Valley in Hong Kong next week. Any advice as to what to expect, handicapping tips, etc.?

[jdhanover]

Was there many years ago....not hard to figure out the betting (a few bets are a little different than here). People who work there were very nice; answered any question I had.
As for handicapping, I do not remember what their racing form looks like (I have it in a box somewhere) but I think it is closer to the European style. As with any track, better jockeys and trainers will win more often. I viewed these days as entertainment and dint worry about handicapping per se.

[Some_One]

-HV is popular with the expat crowd, so hang out in the beer gardens all night by the rail and the 1650m start.
-Bias on the 1000/1650 is early speed, but for some reason closers do pretty well at the 1200.
-You can use your Octopus card to gain admission into the track.
-The language barrier won't be an issue when placing bets as almost all bets are done via slips which you give the teller.
-The toteboards are huge and will switch over from odds to video feeds at the start so if you're on the rail, you won't miss anything.
-When odds highlight in green, it means the odds have come in by 25%, brown means 50% (it will happen at the end a couple of times as the offshore money/illegal money comes in).
-Not sure if your friend is attending with a spouse, but looks like the promo in March is their 'Wines in the Valley'. When I was there last year it was a French night with wine tastings and had way too many, lol, but it made it for a fun night

[cnollfan]

Thanks for the replies.

[Hoofless_Wonder]

What I'd like to know about Hong Kong is when the hell we can bet on it in North America? The rumor mill in December was indicating that ADW wagering was right around the corner.

Teased again. :bang:

I feel like Charlie Brown placekicking a football, with Lucy as the holder.....

[Segwin]

-HV is popular with the expat crowd, so hang out in the beer gardens all night by the rail and the 1650m start.
-Bias on the 1000/1650 is early speed, but for some reason closers do pretty well at the 1200.
-You can use your Octopus card to gain admission into the track.
-The language barrier won't be an issue when placing bets as almost all bets are done via slips which you give the teller.
-The toteboards are huge and will switch over from odds to video feeds at the start so if you're on the rail, you won't miss anything.
-When odds highlight in green, it means the odds have come in by 25%, brown means 50% (it will happen at the end a couple of times as the offshore money/illegal money comes in).
-Not sure if your friend is attending with a spouse, but looks like the promo in March is their 'Wines in the Valley'. When I was there last year it was a French night with wine tastings and had way too many, lol, but it made it for a fun night

Good stuff.

[BIG49010]

RTN - showing it this morning, so perhaps it is finally coming to the U.S.

[davew]

What I'd like to know about Hong Kong is when the hell we can bet on it in North America? The rumor mill in December was indicating that ADW wagering was right around the corner.

Teased again. :bang:

I feel like Charlie Brown placekicking a football, with Lucy as the holder.....

Another thread says 4/6 for TVG
http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112284

[Hoofless_Wonder]

Another thread says 4/6 for TVG
http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112284

Yes, I just saw this last night. Wheeee!!!!!

I would have been happy with a North American only pool like it was before, but now I am giggling like a chimp that it's going to be co-mingled. :jump:

Hong Kong....best....horse....racing.....anywhere.....

[tanner12oz]

This is big pools, big fields and big payouts right?

[horses4courses]

This is big pools, big fields and big payouts right?

It is that, alright.
However, TVG is going to need to expand the number of exotics available.
There were no horizontal wagers offered today, but I take it that will change.
Trifectas were the only bet on the menu today that might pay big.

[Hoofless_Wonder]

Keep in mind the payouts displayed will be based on $10 base wagers, not $2. Also, a Hong Kong dollar is worth about 1/8th of a U.S. dollar.

They do have some multi-race wagers, but no pick 6 described. I guess $10M+ in a single race set of pools is enough to shoot for.

http://special.hkjc.com/racing/info/en/betting/guide_qualifications_pari.asp

[Stillriledup]

Keep in mind the payouts displayed will be based on $10 base wagers, not $2. Also, a Hong Kong dollar is worth about 1/8th of a U.S. dollar.

They do have some multi-race wagers, but no pick 6 described. I guess $10M+ in a single race set of pools is enough to shoot for.

http://special.hkjc.com/racing/info/en/betting/guide_qualifications_pari.asp

But its only 1/8th of 10M, right?

[Hoofless_Wonder]

But its only 1/8th of 10M, right?

Nope. I was a little low. It's actually closer to $14.5M (U.S.) per race.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/71298/hong-kong-season-handle-increases-7

Taking $11.1B divided by 85 race days, average of 9 races per day.

I think Happy Valley usually cards 8 races, and Sha Tin has 10 per card.

[ten2oneormore]

This is a great site with all the info you need and imo what US racing should imitate.

http://www.hkjc.com/home/english/index.asp

Just follow HORSE RACING<RACING INFO(LOCAL)<RACECARD

Everything you could ask for including vast vet records and workouts.Not sure how reliable the speedPOWER figs are but they will give you an idea on improving/declining or holding form.