Latest news with #HappyWednesday
South China Morning Post
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
About 20,000 spectators pack into Happy Valley to soak in final day of horse racing season
Tens of thousands of punters packed into Hong Kong's Happy Valley Racecourse to soak up the party atmosphere on the last day of the horse racing season on Wednesday, with many saying it was the busiest they had ever seen. A full house, estimated to be around 20,000 spectators, attended Happy Wednesday, which featured live bands, DJs and a fireworks display. Happy Wednesday is one of Hong Kong's two horse racing events that run weekly throughout the season. The Happy Valley event is known to attract a younger crowd and tourists with a lively atmosphere because of its HK$10 (US$1.30) entry and focus on food, alcohol and live music. Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said that the crowd showed Hong Kong horse racing was more than a gambling spectacle. 'It is the excitement of Hong Kong, I think it will be a full house, and that is something which epitomises Hong Kong,' Engelbrecht-Bresges said. 'It's a passion for horse racing. It's a passion of energy, of close finishes, dynamism. Highland Rahy (6), ridden by Zac Purton, won the Class 3 over 1,650m at Happy Valley. Photo: Kenneth Chan 'Horse racing in Hong Kong is absolutely unique, and the most unique place in the world for horse racing is Happy Valley.
South China Morning Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Stage set for huge Happy Valley season finale as Benno Yung, Antoine Hamelin, Alfred Chan and Ben Thompson sign off
A Happy Wednesday music festival and a pyrotechnics show will provide the backdrop for Wednesday night's season finale at Happy Valley, where the fight for the Tony Cruz Award will go down to the wire and the curtain will come down on Benno Yung Tin-pang's training career. The season's Champion Griffin will also be crowned, with Sky Jewellery, Crossborderpegasus and Magnifique in the running, and there will be a jockeys' parade on the track so fans can interact with their favourite riders and maybe even score a horse plushie. Matthew Poon Ming-fai (36 winners) leads the Tony Cruz Award standings but the race to be anointed the campaign's most successful local jockey is one of the most hotly contested in years, with Matthew Chadwick (35) and Derek Leung Ka-chun (34) in hot pursuit. Yung saddles up four runners as he looks to add to his 360 successes across 12 seasons training in the Hong Kong pressure cooker, with last-start winner Endued perhaps the veteran handler's best chance on the night in the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m). Jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Benno Yung after Endued's recent win. Endued jumps from gate eight under Hugh Bowman and will carry 134 pounds after a sharp Sha Tin victory earlier this month. Yung will also have high hopes for last-start runner-up Speedy Smartie in the Class Five Silver Grecian Handicap (1,200m), while Stormi switches from dirt to turf for the Class Four Turin Redsun Handicap (1,800m). Yung's final career runner comes in the night's feature, the Class Two Lucky Patch Handicap (1,200m), as Aeris Nova chases a first success in the grade. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Also finishing up at the midweek meeting are Antoine Hamelin, Alfred Chan Ka-hei and Ben Thompson, with the latter having three chances to add to his Sunday success aboard All's Well before returning to Australia. Alfred Chan returns for his farewell at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Storming Dragon looks to be Thompson's best chance in the Class Three Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m), while he also rides Sportic Warrior and Night Purosangue. Hamelin has punched home 111 winners across more than five seasons in Hong Kong and he has been in top form late in his stint. He has a seven-strong book at the season's 88th and final meeting, headlined by impressive last-start winner Victor The Rapid on the quick backup in the Sun Jewellery Handicap. The Frenchman also partners Winning Money, California Blitz, Floof, Great Legacy, Courier Aladdin and Senor Toba before returning to his homeland. The retiring Chan reappears for his farewell after not riding in a race since February, with the 31-year-old joining forces with the smart Magic Control in the Class Two feature and old friend Sugar Sugar in the season's last race.
South China Morning Post
23-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Seasons Wit out to double up but draw woes plague Jamie Richards at Happy Valley
Jamie Richards has copped the two extremes of the barrier draw for Wednesday night's Happy Valley fixture but he was relieved to see Seasons Wit come out unscathed with the inside gate for the Class Three St George's Challenge Cup (1,000m). His speedster has relished the drop back to the minimum distance in his past two starts after plying his trade over further for most of this campaign. All four of his wins have come over Wednesday's course and distance and he returned to form with a bang when second from a wide gate two starts ago. He followed that up with a first win since October 2023 when charging home in the Class Three Choi Wan Handicap (1,000m) last month and he has gone up 7lb in the ratings as a result. Seasons Wit is a winner again! @LyleHewitson guides the @JamieRichards3-trained 5YO gelding to a fourth course and distance triumph... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 14, 2025 Rated in the high 90s at one stage last season, Richards is hopeful his five-year-old can continue doing damage despite his rating going up to 74. 'Barrier one is obviously very helpful. I haven't had much luck for any of my other runners so it's nice for him to get a good gate at least,' said Richards. 'The field looks a bit stronger and there's obviously a few more of them in there, but he's trained on really well from his last start and I'm really looking forward to him. 'I've tried running him over the 1,400m and 1,200m distances this season but he's suited a return to the 1,000m trip, so fingers crossed for a big run.' HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Treble up at Sha Tin! 🔥@zpurton moves to 1,803 wins, 10 shy of the 1,813 all-time record in Hong Kong, with a three-timer as Storming Dragon is strong in victory... @JamieRichards3 #LuckyStart | #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 1, 2025 Unfortunately for Richards, most of his runners on the card drew short straws in terms of the draw, including his perennially unlucky Storming Dragon. He goes in the card-ending Class Three Selkirk Handicap (1,200m) and will need to overcome the car park draw in stall 12 if he is to defy an unlucky sequence. The Star Turn galloper has finished in the top four in four of his past five runs – including a pair of placings in his past two starts – despite drawing barrier eight for three of those. Most recently, he finished second to the heavily-punted Storm Rider in the Class Three Stanley Gap Handicap (1,200m), where he was the only horse to make any sort of ground from the rear of the pack. Jamie Richards hopes Storming Dragon can overcome a woeful draw. Richards is desperate for a change of luck with his dual winner, but is still hopeful of a big run regardless of his barrier misfortune. 'The poor horse just can't draw a gate, but when you go to the Valley you take the chance that you're either going to draw well or not,' said Richards. 'He's going well enough to still be competitive despite stall 12, but it doesn't make life any easier.' A four-time champion trainer in his native New Zealand, Richards sits on the 21-winner mark for the campaign in his third Hong Kong season.
The Standard
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Standard
Comedian Jimmy O. Yang praises HK horse racing scene
On 4 June, Hong Kong-born American comedian Jimmy O. Yang soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of Happy Wednesday at the iconic Happy Valley Racecourse, enjoying the energy and excitement of the crowd.
Politico
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
ICE protests hit Chicago
Presented by Happy Wednesday, Illinois. Driving downtown is always an adventure. TOP TALKER RIPPLE EFFECT: Thousands of demonstrators marched through downtown Chicago on Tuesday, stopping traffic in the Loop and along DuSable Lake Shore Drive to protest the Trump administration's immigration raids that have erupted in California and across the country. Chicago police and protesters clashed, vehicles were vandalized and CTA bus service was suspended, according to the Sun-Times live updates. Protesters carried signs criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement including: 'ICE belongs in our coffee, not in our communities,' via the Tribune's Caroline Kubzansky. The New York Times has video. The politics of it all: Trump's aggressive action in California — sending in the National Guard and Marines to deal with protests typically handled by local police — is putting Democrats across the country on the spot. Do they speak out against the action or lay low so as not to call attention to their own cities and states? Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth issued statements Tuesday condemning violence caused by protesters and also attacking Trump's actions. And Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul said he supports a California lawsuit filed against Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in response to their 'unlawful orders to federalize the California National Guard,' according to a statement. Raoul said local police can handle any Illinois protest, and he pointed to demonstrations during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last summer as an example. 'Local law enforcement knows how to best protect both free speech and public safety,' he said. Other usually outspoken Democrats have kept quiet. Even the Illinois Democratic Party, which had been issuing a daily email attacking Trump, has stayed silent on the protests and Trump's response. We asked a party spokesman what's up. 'Time and time again, Donald Trump shows us that he is more than happy to use human suffering to wage a political battle. In fact, he probably enjoys it. Trump is racist, cruel and chaotic, and maybe most of all — he's petty,' Gwen Pepin, the party's communications director, said in a statement. Congressman Mike Quigley echoed that in his statement about the military actions, saying, 'We cannot give Donald Trump the reaction he so clearly wants. We cannot give him an excuse to militarize our nation's second-largest city further, or to spread his dictatorial mandate to others.' Lying in wait: Gov. JB Pritzker, who signed on to a letter condemning Trump for taking control of the National Guard, has otherwise been quiet on Trump deploying Marines. Watch for him to speak out Thursday when he defends Illinois' laws protecting undocumented residents during a congressional hearing in Washington. RELATED Another protest against the Trump administration is being planned Saturday at Daley Plaza, by the Block Club's Noah Asimow George Floyd unrest informs Trump's response to Los Angeles protests, by POLITICO's Myah Ward Top Republican breaks with Trump's Marine deployment to L.A., by POLITICO's Joe Gould Newsom gains a step in brawl with Trump: 'It'll help Gavin — especially if he gets arrested,' by POLITICO's Jeremy B. White and Melanie Mason A Chicago judge says an immigrant who was framed for threatening Trump can be freed, by WBEZ's Anna Savchenko THE BUZZ COMPETITIVE IL-08: Military veteran Dan Tully is throwing his hat into the Democratic primary for the congressional seat now held by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who's running for Senate. Here's Tully's kick-off video. His background: Tully has served as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve and was an associate at Skadden Arps and Kirkland Ellis in Chicago. Most recently, he was a legal adviser in the U.S. Commerce Department. In a statement, he said he left the job because he believes Trump 'is a danger to our country, our economy and our democratic way of life.' Tully's work experiences, he adds, make him 'uniquely positioned' to hold public office and 'help protect the rule of law, defend our healthcare and retirement benefits, and champion liberty, freedom and democracy.' He joins a crowded field for the suburban district that covers parts of Cook, DuPage and Kane counties. Democrats already in the race are Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, community leader and small-business owner Junaid Ahmed (who challenged Krishnamoorthi in 2022), Hanover Park Trustee Yasmeen Bankole, branding expert Christ Kallas, policy expert Sanjyot Dunung and businessman Neil Khot. If you are Gavin Newsom, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB No official public events WHERE's BRANDON In City Hall at noon for a Q&A with reporters — At the Disney II Magnet School at 1:30 p.m. for a soccer field ribbon-cutting Where's Toni No official public events Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ BUSINESS OF POLITICS — NEW THIS MORNING: Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia has endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in her bid for U.S. Senate. 'Juliana Stratton exemplifies pragmatic leadership, and she knows how to bring diverse voices together to get big things done for her constituents. Chicagoans and Illinoisans across the state are looking for an experienced leader who will fight for them in the Senate, and I'm confident that Juliana is the right person for the job,' Valencia said in a statement announcing her support. — Former Barrington village board candidate Jesse Rojo running for state House seat: He's a Democrat running for the seat currently held by Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin of Barrington Hills, by the Daily Herald's Steve Zalusky. — Ted Mason has been endorsed by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez in his campaign for Cook County commissioner. 'I am proud to endorse Ted Mason for Cook County Commissioner. I know that he will be a partner to me at Cook County as we work to advance policies that will help working families,' Ramirez said in a statement. — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon faces potential $9.8M fine for improperly accepting campaign cash, by the Tribune's Ray Long ILLINOIS' POPE — Divine revelations: Pope Leo XIV's attendance at 2005 World Series leaves champion White Sox with an immaculate legacy, by the Tribune's Andrew THE STATEWIDES — State agrees to pay $1.3M for never-built migrant tent encampment: The governor 'made the highly publicized decision to halt construction of the shelter encampment in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood in December 2023,' pointing to environmental concerns. 'The decision caused the project to be scrapped, and it signaled an early political rift between the governor and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was pushing for the shelter to be built as winter arrived,' by the Tribune's Dan Petrella. — Feds want new trial for state Sen. Emil Jones III: 'It's been a little more than a month since Jones' trial ended with a hung jury. Prosecutors say Jones agreed to protect a red-light camera executive in exchange for $5,000 and a job for a former intern,' by the Sun-Times' David Struett and Jon Seidel. — Despite setbacks, gun rights groups continue push to overturn Illinois assault weapons ban: 7th Circuit prepares to hear another appeal, by Capitol News' Peter Hancock. — Trial lawyers benefit from '11th hour' legislation passed by Illinois lawmakers, by Jonathan Bilyk for Legal Newsline CHICAGO — CPS CEO Martinez nears exit after being fired by Mayor Brandon Johnson: 'He returned to his high school alma mater for an 8th grade graduation ceremony on Tuesday, the same place where four years earlier Mayor Lori Lightfoot named him to the post,' by WGN 9's Tahman Bradley. — Ald. Anthony Napolitano seeks power to ban short-term rentals from Chicago precincts: 'Airbnb criticized the proposed ban, arguing in a statement it threatens to destabilize short-term rental tax revenue earmarked to fight homelessness and aid domestic violence survivors,' by the Tribune's Jake Sheridan. — Top spot at Chicago Film Office finally filled: Chicago native Natasha Olguin tapped for key cultural post, by WTTW's Patty Wetli — Planned Parenthood-affiliated group at DePaul is disbanded: 'DePaul told the organization, Planned Parenthood Generation Action DePaul University, that the university does not allow student groups to work with outside organizations 'whose core missions are in direct conflict with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church,'' by the Sun-Times' Kaitlin Washburn. — National take | Chicago's public transit is in limbo: 'The question of reform versus securing new funding options is at the heart of the debate around Chicagoland transit,' writes the American Prospect's Emma Janssen. COOK COUNTY — Glen Ellyn League of Women Voters denied a spot in village's 4th Of July Parade after decades: The group says its application was denied due to an 'unsubstantiated' claim, by Patch's Lisa Marie Farver. — Rosemont cracks down on fake weapons at fan fests, by the Daily Herald's Christopher Placek TAKING NAMES — HERE COMES THE JUDGE: Michael Cabonargi has been appointed by Justice Joy Cunningham and the Illinois Supreme Court as an at-large circuit judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Cabonargi is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Ellen Coglan, according to a statement from the Illinois high court. Cabonargi's appointment is effective Friday. He most recently has served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and before that was with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Biden administration. — Ahead of his 98th birthday, George E. Johnson reflects on trailblazing career in hair care industry, by the Sun-Times' Erica Thompson. — R. Kelly claims his life is in danger, seeks help from judge — or Trump, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel Reader Digest We asked when politics changed your purchase decisions. Mike Gascoigne: 'I'm boycotting Target for their elimination of DEI programs.' Charles Keller: 'I'll never buy Warby Parker glasses because they use their advertising dollars not to gain customers but as a political cudgel.' Kevin Lampe: 'Beginning when I boycotted grapes as a child, politics always enters my mind when making purchasing decisions.' Ed Mazur: 'No grapes during the workers actions in California in 1965. La Huelga!' Dennis Rendleman: 'I haven't been to a Hobby Lobby since 2014 when it refused to include contraception in its health insurance program based upon alleged 'religious' objections that were founded in part on specious science.' Timothy Thomas: 'I keep a supply of shopping bags in my car as my personal protest against the 10-cent bag tax imposed when shopping in the city, which is claimed to be an environmental measure but feels more like a money grab.' NEXT QUESTION: What do you do for civic engagement besides voting? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Brad Schneider has a vision for how moderate Dems can help their party climb out of the wilderness: 'Move fast and fix things,' he told Semafor's Eleanor Mueller. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Musk admits he went 'too far' attacking Trump: Regrets, the tech billionaire has a few, by POLITICO's Seb Starcevic — Chicago-based American Medical Association to ask Senate to investigate RFK Jr.'s firing of vaccine committee members, by the Tribune's Lisa Schencker — From Los Angeles to Washington, Trump leans in as commander in chief, by POLITICO's Megan Messerly, Jack Detsch and Paul McLeary — Most GOP lawmakers plan to skip Trump's big parade, by POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky, Calen Razor and Mia McCarthy — 'Big, beautiful bill' spurs Democratic plans for emergency actions to counter cuts, by POLITICO's Jordan Wolman IN MEMORIAM — Margaret 'Peggy' Schultz, a former Village of Homewood trustee, has died. She also took part in the national 'Postcards to Voters' project, encouraging citizens to vote in their local elections. Her obit is here. TRIVIA TUESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Barry Nodulman for correctly answering that John Nicolay and John Hay were the two Illinoisans who served as personal secretaries to President Abraham Lincoln, TODAY's QUESTION: What World Series game had two future world leaders in attendance? Email skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lake County Democrats Chair and former state Rep. Lauren Beth Gash, former state Rep. Cal Skinner Jr., entrepreneur and senior adviser to the governor Lee 'Rosy' Rosenberg, Terminal Getaway Spa CEO Marko Iglendza, Holistic CEO Tom Alexander, ARC Strategies founding partner Jason Rubin, GOP political consultant Nick Klitzing and civic leader Maria Smithburg -30-
