With Hong Kong World Pool turnovers on the WSB Met day racemeeting at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday rocketing to a new record high of HK$ 279,3 million, Kenilworth Racing Chairman Greg Bortz has declared the first flagship day under the new team a great success with plenty of scope for growth in the years to come.
Turnovers on the World Pool for Met day in 2022 was HK$257,9 million and the near 9% increase year-on-year put a smile on the energetic boss’ face.
Greg Bortz and Justin Snaith (on left) enjoyed a great day at the races (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“We are very pleased with these numbers. This is slap bang in the middle of their season with the Gr1 Stewards’ Cup being run at Sha Tin today. That is why any comparisons to the Marshalls World Of Sport Gold Cup racemeeting at the end of last season, for instance, are not meaningful as that was in the Hong Kong off-season, and when they are hungry for quality international racing. This was great and we are all very thrilled,” Greg Bortz confirmed in a chat with the Sporting Post on Sunday.
Met day attendance was purposely limited to 10 000 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and Bortz was pleased to inform the Sporting Post that the cap had been reached.
Another happy owner! Lady Christine Laidlaw enjoyed two feature successes – including the Pongracz Gr1 Cape Flying Championship (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“We made the shift from corporate hospitality to focussing on the owner on the day. That’s why we aimed at the service being top-class and thus we employed a number of extra personnel. And by limiting crowd numbers we are ensuring that demand exceeds supply – much as we did at the recent Cape Premier Yearling Sale – and this is part of the strategy to build momentum with the public and sponsors for next year.”
The charismatic financial whizz also enjoyed a great day at the races on a personal front with Salvator Mundi winning the New Turf Carriers Gr2 Western Cape Stayers, while Nevada King enjoyed a peach of a ride from Richard Fourie to win an MR74 handicap earlier – in the process stamping himself a Cape Derby possibility.
But it was Bortz’ 2022 Cape Derby winner Pomp And Power’s flying third after traffic issues in the WSB Cape Town Met that probably gave the avid racing man the most pleasure.
Pomp And Power is winless since his Derby success eleven months ago and head issues have plagued the progress and dependability of the talented son of Vercingetorix, who went off at 66-1 from the widest draw under Kabelo Matsunayane.
“We can’t complain – two winners on Met day is an honour and privilege in anybody’s book. But yes, Pomp had some bad luck in running, as did a few others. But it’s very encouraging and let’s hope he is back on track for better things again. And well done to all our winners. I think we have plenty of very happy owners after the day,” he added.
