The Observatory yesterday defended its decision to hoist the No 8 typhoon signal on Sunday, after criticism from racing fans.
Punters angry over the cancellation of the Sha Tin meeting said the raising of the signal from 1.30pm to 5.30pm, which brought the SAR to a virtual standstill, was unwarranted.
Shenzhen and Macau observatories did not raise the No 8 warnings.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will have to refund $169 million taken in bets for the meeting. The club also paid out millions in wages.
A spokesman said the expected turnover was $1.1 to $1.2 billion. 'The situation was quite a tricky one,' he said, adding that there had been several complaints.
The Government stood to lose its 13.3 per cent cut of turnover, while the Jockey Club would lose its 5.4 per cent commission.
