Talking points

Tiananmen Square opens from 1.30am for the public to gather for the National Day flag-raising ceremony. Every year tens of thousands of Chinese and tourists flock to the square in the early hours to mark the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, this year being the 63rd. State leaders pay tribute at the Monument to the People's Heroes later in the morning. Hong Kong marks National Day with a variety of celebratory activities, including the 8am flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, attended by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and other senior officials, and a 23-minute fireworks display over the harbour starting at 9pm.

The racing season shifts up a gear, with the National Day Cup and the Sha Tin Sprint Trophy providing the first Group One action of the campaign on an exciting 10-race card at Sha Tin. The National Day Cup (1,400m) is often a good pointer to even greater glory; last year's winner was two-time horse of the year Ambitious Dragon.