Hong Kong's trouble-prone racetracks yesterday received a vote of confidence before the start ofthe new season from the Jockey Club's chief executive, Lawrence Wong. 'Both tracks have undergone major refurbishing during the off-season. It is a tricky balancing act seeing the season out between both of them but I have every confidence that both tracks will be able to sustain racing this season,' he said. Wong's confidence had been mirrored earlier by the tracks manager, John Ridley, who returned to duty yesterday after a summer break. 'I kept in touch during the time I was away and there were a couple of worrying moments because of the heavy rain. We wouldn't really want too much more of it but, at the moment, we are ready for the new season and approaching it with confidence,' he said. In what is likely to be the shape of things to come, the Jockey Club will designate a number of selected closed-circuit television monitors at both courses to relay commentaries in Putonghua - but their English language television service will still be transmitted to an impressive 19 locations in the United States and Canada. And the time-wasting, irritating routine for photo-finishes in local racing should pass into history shortly. Wong announced that the Jockey Club's new digitised photo-finish system would be tested in the early weeks of the new season. 'It will be easier and quicker for the judges and there will be trials runs at the first meetings. When we are satisfied, it will be introduced to the public,' he said. On-course patrons will also be able to bet on a special Double Trio on the final two races on each card. This should prove a popular addition and 50 per cent of the pool will be carried forward as a jackpot if there are no winners. And on-course customers will also have a further reward. The Jockey Club, mindful of a drop in attendance figures last year, will give a Sure Win card to those attending race meetings. Stickers will be added to the special card from every meeting attended - in the first instance - between September 13 and October 18. The more stickers attached will mean a greater percentage reduction in the price of special quality items that can be purchased from the Jockey Club.