The Hong Kong International Races yesterday consolidated their position as the end-of-year world turf championships after a 10.7 per cent prize-money boost and a positive change of distance for the Hong Kong Sprint.
The four races will be worth a total of $62 million - up from $56 million last year - while the Hong Kong Sprint has been lengthened to 1,200 metres in a bid to make it more appealing to the best international turf sprinters.
Jockey Club executive director of racing, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, foreshadowed the possibility of change last year, saying after local horses had taken the first five placings in the Sprint that the straight 1,000 metres course had become 'too much a specialist course for local horses'.
Yesterday, that hint became reality and the best local sprinters must now stretch their stamina to 1,200 metres.
Engelbrecht-Bresges said last night that the changes reflected the Jockey Club's commitment to excellence in general, and to this international window into Hong Kong racing in particular.
'The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races have earned a reputation for prestige and excellence, but we cannot rest on our laurels,' he said. 'To maintain its status as the turf world championships, it is our duty to upgrade prize-money and amend the programme where necessary.'