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18.
Senior HKJC officials
chair ARF sessions
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07/03/2003 |
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Senior
officials from the Hong Kong Jockey Club chaired Operational Sessions on the
final day of the 29th Asian Racing Conference in Auckland, New Zealand,
Thursday.
Mr John Ridley, Head of Racing Operations & Equestrian, delivered three
presentations to a packed room of delegates on Hong Kong's incoming Sectional
Timing for Racing Information and Dynamic Entertainment (STRIDE) system; on the
maintenance and preparation of all-weather surfaces; and on the development in
running rail design including safety initiatives.
At the same session, Dr Christopher Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services,
spoke on horse injuries in relation to track performance.
Meanwhile, Dr Keith Watkins chaired the 5th meeting of the Permanent Liaison
Committee on the International Movement of Horses (PLCIMH).
Delegates at the meeting were informed of three of six terms of reference of the
PLCIMH have been successfully negotiated, namely: facilitating the international
movement of racehorses; following up international health regulations; and
proposing to relevant government departments improvements or modifications to
existing health regulations in order to adapt them to racehorses specifically.
The PLCIMH also discussed the effect of international travel on the health of
racehorses. Veterinary research shows that one in 16 race-fit thoroughbreds
travelling to international races become moderately or severely sick, such as
Nayyir (Hong Kong Mile) and Ulundi (Hong Kong Cup), which both were forced to
withdraw from last December's Hong Kong International Races after arriving in
unsuitable condition after the journey from Britain. The Committee promised to
try and find the best way to tackle this problem by improving the airflow in
their boxes.
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