At Moment in Racing - A Collection of Historical Photos, you will find plenty of sepia-toned images typical of retrospective photo shows of its kind. To run until March next year, the new exhibition at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Racing Museum in Happy Valley offers some insight into the local racing scene and its development through more than 80 historical photos, some dating as far back as the mid-19th century. Most moments of historical significance in local racing are there: visitors learn a bit about the racecourse in the early 1840s, when Happy Valley was a disease-spreading swamp. Then there's the horrific fire of 1918 that killed more than 600 people in the crude mat-hut viewing stands; how women were allowed to join the club in the early 1920s; and that jockeys and horse owners had become a force by the early 30s. The focal centre of the exhibition is the life-sized die-cut standups taken in the late 30s of owners 'leading in' their horses, with jockeys in vibrant silks. Owners once led their horses to the winner's circle themselves - with help from their mafoo - in a tradition that allowed everyone the chance to see horse and owner together (and share in the glory). Nowadays, owners usually join their horse in the winner's circle for a quick photo opportunity. Photos of the 1918 fire are also on display, showing the viewing stands that collapsed and caught fire. A reported 687 people lost their lives while trapped inside. The photos capture the horror of other race-goers as they look on helplessly. Another eye-catching showpiece is the artists' sketches of Happy Valley in the early colonial days. Though it was the only large flat area on the island, it was hardly suitable for a racecourse as it was ridden with disease-carrying mosquitoes and prone to flooding. It was such a miserable place early colonists sarcastically named it Happy Valley long before any horses were raced around its perimeter. While the show, which marks the 10th anniversary of the museum, goes a long way towards showcasing its extensive collection of historical pictures, those black and white images don't quite convey the club's colourful history. The club's place in the community, particularly its history as Hong Kong's largest philanthropist, is absent. Missing also are photos of Sir Paul Chater, under whose stewardship, in October 1914, the Jockey Club amended its constitution to permit charitable donations, forever altering the club's role in the community. Another club chairman, Hormusjee Mody, challenged government to match funding for the establishment of a university in Hong Kong. His death in 1911 prevented him from seeing his goal met but his successor, Ellis Kadoorie, saw it to fruition. Neither man, nor mention of their accomplishment, is to be found in the exhibition. William Yiu Yan-pui, executive director of charities for the Jockey Club, reveals more of the history. 'Prior to the 1950s,' he says, 'the club wasn't doing well financially at all. At that time, racing was really amateurish; people were just having fun racing. It was not until the 50s that gambling took hold and the club started to see the financial benefits of the operation. 'Then they decided: 'We've got money. Let's see what we can do for the community',' Yiu says. Historical information may be lacking because the photos for this exhibition didn't come from the club but were donated by the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Public Records Office, (Government Records Service) HSBC's group archives, and the families of several prominent figures in the race track's history. But with what it has, Yiu hopes he can change the public's perception of the club as just a 'gambling body'. 'I think we have been misperceived. The general perception is: 'Jockey Club, racing, gambling.' What we want [the public] to think is: 'Jockey Club, the Hong Kong community, racing'. And, oh yes, we do betting too, because without that we won't have [the philanthropy]. 'So hopefully, as we do more of these exhibitions about the history of the club in relation to the history of Hong Kong, we'll bring a different view of what [the club] is all about to Hong Kong people.' Moment in Racing - A Collection of Historical Photos, opens Thurs, then Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm, 2/F, Happy Valley Stand, Happy Valley, free. Inquiries: 2966 8065. Ends Mar 4