Star power lights up Derby day
A night fantastic for fans of metallic plastic
The first BMW Hong Kong Derby took place on a warm Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin racecourse. Up for grabs was HK$16 million in prize money and the honour of being crowned the inaugural winner.
Guests included ambassador for the BMW Hong Kong Derby Donnie Yen Ji-dan (right), his wife Cissy Wang, Brandon and Jenny Chau, and actress Ankie Beilke and her mum Ankie Lau.
Yen said he enjoyed the odd flutter. "On occasion when my friends place a bet, I might join them. A little bet is like a pastime, you'll be happy if you win, and if you lose the money goes to a charitable cause."
The well-fancied Akeed Mofeed raced away with the Derby for owner Pan Su-tong who was presented the trophy by Edmond Kwok, managing director of the BMW Division of Sime Darby Motor Group (HK), Newman Tsang, managing director of BMW Concessionaires (HK), along with Yen.
Earlier in the week, BMW unveiled the new Mini John Cooper Works Countryman at the AsiaWorld-Expo. On hand was legendary rally driver, the "Flying Finn" Rauno Aaltonen, who drove a Mini Cooper S to victory in the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967. The 75-year-old showed he still had it by first racing the Countryman around a makeshift racetrack, then a Mini JCW Coupe. Aaltonen confessed he didn't like the modern Mini when it was launched a decade ago. "I thought it was too big compared to the original," he said. "But then I tried it and I was happy because it performed just like the original."
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