Whistlejacket has been covering the HKIR for 20 years or so.

This year was an entirely different view point as we got impounded by the Vet and filled with all sorts of drugs that are not allowed in racing.

So we had to watch from afar one of the best ever HKIR meetings.  As usual the HKJC ran a very good program and their local stars outshone the opposition.  Lucky Sweynesse, Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior all came through and won their appropriate G1s with the only party crasher being France's Junko in the Vase.

What is great for the future is that Romantic Warrior is young enough to continue racing for another year and potentially more international trophies to add to his Cox Plate.

The best crowds since Covid attended both the Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley and the four G1s at Sha Tin with the weather cooperating as well.

And a special cheer for Vincent Ho who was the most surprised person at Happy Valley when he won the jockeys' Championship! He then provided an attentive and focused ride on Golden Sixty in the Mile.