aks120

Dear All - I am planning my first ever trip to Hong Kong so please be kind! I am interested to know of any experiences/reviews of the 'Come Racing Tour' that is advertised on the HKJC website. I am extremely interesting in Horse Racing and the day I can go there is an evening race on at Sha Tin.

Is this a good idea?

Regards AKS120

wilp888

You should definitely go. When I lived in H.K., I went to many race meetings at Shatin and HV and it's unlike anything you will ever experienced here in the States. The Shatin race course is one of the best facility in the world. I think the Come Racing Tour gives you access to the Member's Enclosure and it is a very comfortable way to watch the races. There are only a few night race meetings at Shatin with the majority of the night racing at Happy Valley which is the original race course. I seem to recall that most of the races at the Shatin night racing is on the the all weather surface which is similar to the dirt racing here in the U.S. The many different type of betting is mind boggling. Hong Kong also has some of the best race horses in the world so the quality of racing is of a very high standard. You will be amazed at the amount of money that is wagered on each race....more than the amount bet on an entire day at Santa Anita or Hollywood Park. You can do all your pre-race research on the HKJC website as it contained all the past performances of every single active horse racing in H.K. Good luck (literally) and I hope you have a great time.

david870mdg

I am a HUGE fan of Horse Racing, and for me Hong Kong is the envy of the world. (Listening to HKJC broadcast now )
Big statement as I live in Melboune and the Spring Carnival has just been launched!
I've been to HK three times in the last year, every time for the races.
If you can you should definitley go to the races at Happy Valley, this is an experience in itself. The come racing tour is good, but if you want to avoid the touristy things, book directly with the Jockey Club (the tour leaves before the races are over!). It's a good way to meet other people but I prefered the visitors package booked directly with HKJC. plus it doesn't cost as much as the greyline tour.
Sha Tin is a bit out of town, but a good experience, and usaully better racing.
Direct access by train.
I'm sure some of the HK locals can give you a heads up, plus as overseas visitors you are entitled to a [free] members enclosure tourist ticket.
PS - the visitors box is the only place in Sha Tin (apart from one balcony in the members) with English racing commentary, at Happy Valley you can get this in the Beer Garden.
Have a great time
David

O/T: anyone heading to Sha Tin for the CXHKIR raceday Dec 13? See you there


If you are a horse racing/gambling fan, make a day trip over to Macau, the races there are a bit less glamorous, but good value for money in the members corporate box. If you don't back a winner there's always the Casinos. ^
HKJC turnover is in the millions, 8 figures plus for every meeting (7 figures US)

aks120

Thanks for the replies ^

After all the positive things I think I am going to go for the Tour. I dont normally do tours - but I arrive on that Wed so dont want to think about it too much - and I will at least get a feel for the racing!

Thanks for the comparisons to Santa Anita - I am actually a Brit living in Vegas so I am used to Newmarket, Ascot and my home town of Perth races. I have not actually been to Santa Anita (althoguh watch Jockeys on the TV!). Coincidently I depart LAX on 1 Nov and I believe the races are still on at Santa Anita...... I feel a plan coming along

david870mgd - I wish the Happy Valley races were on but unfortunately they are only at Sha Tim while I am there but I here that is fab and modern.

Again - thanks for taking the time to reply -it will be my first time in Hong Kong so trying to make the most of it!!

Regards AKS120

aks120

Just wanted to post an update - if you are thinking of doing this tour then please do it. I loved the evening. Plenty of wine, great folks in the group and a great way to experience the racing.

I didnt bag any winners but loved the evening.

Regards AKS120

kevincrumbs

Would anyone recommend the general admission as opposed to getting the tourist ticket? The HKJC website states that in order to qualify for the tourist ticket, one has to have a arrival stamp in a foreign passport and I usually just enter HK with my HKID. Is the experience any worse for a first timer to the Sha Tin Racecourse? Is it worth waiting in line at HKG to get a passport stamp to qualify for the tourist ticket?

Captain Schmidt

General admission is HKD10 so IMO, it's absolutely not worth your while waiting in line. Plus if you have an HK visa, they won't stamp your passport anyway even if you do use the visitor line so this is moot.

christep

As I read it kevincrumbs has a HKID without a visa (i.e. ROA or RTL by descent) so in that case if entering on a foreign passport he would get a Visitor Visa stamp.

tcook052

I'll bump this thread to ask whether it's necessary to pre-book this tour at HKD$1290 for 21 Feb. race day at Sha Tin or whether I can wait until I arrive on 17 Feb. to buy a tourist badge for HKD130? The tour comes with transportation and a meal and a racing program with HKD30 betting voucher but would this Chinese New Year race day book up or would it be fine to wait and buy the tourist badge once I arrive?

I can manage to ride the MTR to Sha Tin and eat fairly cheaply if I can do it for far less than this tour but what do the locals suggest?

Wongo

May I suggest booking at Jun Hui Ting
Get a buffet and the badge there allows you to go to the members enclosure. $600 for CNY race day.
Of course you can just get the $130 tourist badge and use the members enclosure. Used to go using my passport on the day no problem. Don't know if the PRC tourist are using that benefit... it had been a while I last went to Sha Tin so not sure how much stock they hold at the gate....

Tester22

Great question Tcook052. I am also going to be in Hong Kong that weekend and am considering going to the Sha Tin races. Didn't think about the Chinese New Year and how that could lead to some congestion. I was hoping to go to Happy Valley but of course was only able to go a Wednesday that they dont have races.