The biggest crowd since Covid-19 restrictions were enforced over 18 months ago will converge on Sha Tin for the season opener on September 5, with Jockey Club officials expecting as many as 15,000 fans to welcome in the 2021-22 campaign.

The pandemic has curtailed attendance since the Lunar New Year meeting on January 27 last year, with next Sunday’s meeting to attract the first five-figure audience since January 22, 2020.

Only 285 people were on course for opening day 12 months ago – one of many meetings with less than 1,000 spectators on course – and Jockey Club director of racing business and operations Bill Nader hopes the progress is a sign of things to come.

“It’s a big step forward and after so long without a crowd of 10,000 or more, it’s a big number and hopefully it gets the season off to a good start,” Nader said.

“While it’s far from what we would normally expect on season opening, being able to begin the season on a relatively high note [is a positive].”

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The Jockey Club’s prediction is more than double the biggest crowd of the 2020-21 season, which came when 6,671 people attended the final Sha Tin meeting on July 11.

Nader was hesitant to predict what increases could be expected between now and December’s Hong Kong International Races, with the 2020 showpiece restricted to just 271 attendees.

“Because everything is so fluid, we take it a few weeks at a time and I think that is the right approach because things can change quickly,” he said.

“But at least we’re off to a good start. For look, feel and a fan base that loves horse racing and hasn’t really been able to participate on course, this is a big step forward and I think there will be a very good vibe at the season opener.”

While Nader expects the crowd for the opening Happy Valley meeting on September 8 to significantly exceed last term’s peak of 3,531 at last season’s finale on July 14, those keen to dive into the city circuit’s famed beer garden will have to wait a little longer.

Nader confirmed the live music and beer tents “won’t happen in September” but there is some hope the Valley will return to its former glory in coming months.

Those attending the season opener will still have to book in advance and will have to abide by standard public health measures, including temperature screenings, wearing a mask and scanning into the Leave Home Safe app, while social-distancing rules will remain in place in the parade ring and for trophy presentations.

Next Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting is the first of 88 for the season, 48 of which will take place at Sha Tin and 40 at Happy Valley.

The city circuit will host two day fixtures this campaign – up from one last season and the first time since 2015/16 there has been multiple Valley day meetings in a term – while there will again be three night meetings at Sha Tin.