Ivan Allan, three-times champion trainer in Hong Kong died, aged 68, in his native Singapore after a long battle with illness. Allan moved to Hong Kong in 1992 after a dominant career in Singapore and Malaysia and became an equally irresistible force.
In other racing news, three jockeys will join the ranks for the winter months ahead. Popular Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon will join Andreas Suborics in early January while North American rider Aaron Gryder will get a four-month license starting from November 16.
Also in this programme, I feature Race 8, the Panasonic Cup, the jockey challenge and give my best bet for today's race meet. VIDEO & AUDIO AFTER THE JUMP.
Since the Jockey Challenge began over a year ago, turnover has reached a staggering HK$9 million. Racing editor asks in today's Off the Rails: When will we see the much-mooted Trainers Challenge?
Alan has tipped Exploding for Race 9's Fakei Cup for his feature race, while picking Eddie Lai for his Jockey Challenge favourite at 15.00. Lai will be racing on Alive and Kicking at Race 1's Phoenix Handicap.
Best bet time, and Alan has given the nod to Fujian Prince of Race 2, ridden by G Cheyne. For more on today's racing guide at Sha Tin pick up a copy of Racing Post or visit racing.scmp.com. AUDIO & VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP.
On today's show I speak with David Stannard, managing partner (Asia) of international legal practice Norton Rose and head of the firm's corporate finance practice in the region.
Norton Rose announced recently that it would merge some operations with Australian law company Deacons.
In this programme, Mr Stannard will talk about the prospects for Norton Rose after the merger and his overall views on merger and acquisition activities. AUDIO AFTER THE JUMP.
Chen Yu-hwei, also known by her pen name Zheng Feng, is our guest on today's show.
The global financial crisis may have forced many people out of their jobs, but few would have taken the same road as Yu-hwei, a former ABN AMRO director.
Yu-hwei left her job in banking to concentrate on her family and her hobby: writing kung-fu novels. Now a successful author, Yu-hwei chats to us about the career switch. AUDIO AFTER THE JUMP
Jockey Alex Lai Hoi-wing met with success in his appeal yesterday against the severity of an eight-meeting ban for testing positive on October 4 to the banned substance methylephedrine. The appeal panel reduced his suspension by three meetings and he will resume riding on November 4.
In other local news, Hong Kong is gearing up for the Melbourne Cup simulcast during the week and the Jockey Club may have as many as five foreign horses contesting the three Cathay Pacific International Trial events next month with four invitations having already been issued.
As always, I give my best bet for today's race meet, unusually for a Sunday at Happy Valley, and also my value tip for the Jockey Challenge and the feature race - the Choi Ying Handicap. VIDEO & AUDIO AFTER THE JUMP.
