Chinese TV raises ire of trainers
THE Trainers' Association will meet on Monday with complaints about Chinese television coverage topping the agenda.
Several local and expatriate trainers have protested vigorously at what they regard as personal attacks on the regular racing programmes on the Home channel.
Successful local trainer Tony P. H. Chan demanded and received an apology and an expatriate trainer is currently involved in litigation with the station.
Upset members of the Association are expected to take their complaints to the Jockey Club and may also boycott interviews and refuse to assist presentations on ATV's Home channel.
Ironically, the flashpoint comes on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the running of ATV Cup which is the feature race at Sha Tin on Sunday. ATV has been covering local racing for 20 years and negotiations for another three-year contract are understood to be nearing conclusion. The present agreement finishes at the end of this season.
Licensed personnel have reacted angrily to aspects of the station's Chinese-language broadcasts in the past.
For at least two seasons jockeys, led by then dual champion Philip Robinson, boycotted interviews on the Home channel before and after races and it is expected that Monday's meeting of the Trainers' Association will decide on similar action.
''But we also wish to draw to the attention of the Jockey Club our very real concern about the nature of some of the comments made about racing and about our members,'' said one trainer yesterday.
Meanwhile, top Japanese jockey Yukio Okabe, who will tangle with British champion Pat Eddery and Irish ace Mick Kinane in an International Jockeys' Challenge in Dubai later this month, will ride in the Macau Derby.
The most important race on the Taipa calendar is on March 28 and Okabe will head for the Portuguese-administered enclave after riding in Dubai on March 25.
The 45-year-old has twice won the Group One Japan Cup and the coveted Emperor's Cup on four occasions.
Local apprentice Raymond S. M. Tam may not have Okabe's experience but his career has blossomed since joining the David Hill stable.
And there is official recognition for his efforts. Tam won February's Apprentice of the Month award for his winning ride on Compradore at Happy Valley on February 16.
Trainer Dermot Weld, who created history when he took Vintage Crop from Ireland to win the Melbourne Cup, was named Australia's Racing Personality of the Year yesterday.
The leading Irish trainer, based at The Curragh, accepted the award at the Victorian Racing Media Association dinner.
Well known for travelling his best horses around the world for big races, Weld's reputation was further enhanced when Vintage Crop became the first northern hemisphere-trained horse to win the two-mile (3,200-metre) Melbourne Cup last November.
