When Hong Kong’s Happy Valley got night racing up and running in 1973
Floodlights transformed the city’s racecourse, drawing crowds that spilled from the track onto balconies, car parks and jammed streets
“A leading Hongkong architect has been engaged to draw up the plans for the installation of a floodlighting system […] In the words of one senior steward of the club: ‘We have only one major worry. The state of the track.’”
“Said Australian jockey Ross MacMillan: ‘This will be a great benefit to professional riders. We really need more race days and this has come at an opportune moment.’ There could be difficulties before the plan swung [sic] into operation. Government and police approval will be necessary before midweek night racing becomes a reality. However, it is an ambitious plan deserving full support.”
“At least 8,000 people jammed car parks, footpaths, streets and balconies round the track to see night racing inaugurated. In Wongneichong Road [Wong Nai Chung Road], the crowd flowed on to the street helping to contribute to a traffic jam which stretched from Causeway Bay to Wanchai and over the waterfront road flyover almost to the harbour tunnel.
“The crowd which saw the races inside had very little on those outside except for certain Jockey Club facilities. Illegal bookmakers were operating freely and there seemed to be few policemen on duty outside the track.”