Sha Tin - Ya Not Comin In

In order to avoid any potential pitfalls or mishaps, it's always advisable to do your homework when travelling in far off lands. As a fairly laid back sort of character I'm usually inclined to go with the flow but will always research the boring necessities - 'can you drink the local tap water'/'what plug sockets do the locals use?' What I'm not in the habit of googling is 'are the locals allowed to take their nippers to the racing?' We began today with a spring in our step for a day at Sha Tin beckoned. As avid racegoers we were somewhat thrilled at the prospect of some Sunday sport and the girls both got dressed up for the occasion. Our Uber dropped us outside the very swanky members entrance and it was here that we soon found out that under 18's are not permitted on track here in Hong Kong. After assessing our options we ruled out jibbing (not easy with a pram) and the girls headed back to Kowloon for an afternoon of soft play, leaving yours truly to the mercy of an ever growing crowd. Disappointed at being split up from my punting partners, I trudged towards the entrance gate where a quick flash of my passport permitted me free entry and I was soon immersed in the action.

Now it's hard to describe the vastness of the grandstands, paddock and betting areas. At a conservative estimate I'd have put the crowd at somewhere between the 20-30,000 mark but you'd never have known due to the expansive nature of the enclosures. Young couples strutted their stuff, grizzled old punters used their race-cards to shield their balding heads from the midday sun and devoted groupies carried anime merch. The betting halls were a sight to behold as old men and women scribbled down notes - some took the sectionals whilst others focussed on landing exotic forecasts and tri-casts. Astronomical amounts of money were changing hands - the sort of which we're only accustomed to seeing at a Cheltenham or Royal Ascot, not for a Class 4 handicap on the day of rest. Viewing was a purists dream, with the parade ring flanked on three sides by steadily rising stands and the home straight within touching distance of an engrossed horde of enthusiasts. Jockey's from Asia and Europe battled gamely for their share of the eye watering prize money, but it was New South Wales born Zac Purton who came out on top, riding like a man possessed on his way to a decidedly lucrative five-timer.

Before leaving the course and heading back to the girls, I had a swift look around the entertainment areas (of which there were many) but was particularly struck with the presence of a pure white thoroughbred and his handler who stood calmly for pictures with a smitten public. Food and drink also seemed reasonably priced and though I didn't bother eating I did try a 'yuenyeung' (half coffee/half tea and very popular out here) which somehow wasn't quite as bad as it sounds. The raceday experience was a real treat and I'd fully recommend it to anyone who's lucky enough to visit this uniquest of places. Just do yourself a favour and leave the youngsters at home.

Sha Tin Sunday's