STORIES of punters arriving at the tote windows at Sha Tin with suitcases full of cash are something that might tickle the fancy of Urgent Request's owner Stewart Aitken, who is renowned for his battles with the bookies on British tracks.
Like many other serious players, retired casino tycoon Aitken, 74, is constantly engaged in a war of words with the major bookmaking firms, although one suspects he might have met his match in smooth-talking Ladbrokes man Mike Dillon, presently on the spot in Hong Kong.
Aitken seemed pleasantly surprised yesterday when told that no matter how big the bet, the multi-billion dollar Hong Kong tote would swallow the wager, virtually without trace.
'Since I've been having a good run with my horses in the UK, I find it harder and harder to get on my bets with the bookmakers,' explained Aitken.
'I have become a little disenchanted by it all, and I have constantly been thinking of getting out of ownership.
'Yes, it's a mug's game, but I happen to love it,' he added in his broad Scots accent and with just the hint of a smile.