Latest news with #Shum
RTHK
19-05-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Measures planned to prevent landslides
Measures planned to prevent landslides In 2023, Hong Kong saw its largest recorded rockfall in a century at Yiu Hing Road in Shau Kei Wan. File photo: AFP The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) on Monday said it will launch a series of risk management and prevention measures to help make sure slopes across the city can withstand extreme weather. This includes expanding the office's slope catalogue to cover natural hillsides, to better analyse landslide risks and put prevention plans in place. Tests will be carried out on an automatic system for monitoring slopes with drones during periods of heavy rain, while environmental data will be collected to help the office and rescue teams come up with contingency plans for any incidents. 'After adopting the automatic system, we can allow the drones to arrive at different sites, including our LPM [Landslip Preventive Measures] construction sites, slope and landslide sites,' said Lawrence Shum, a GEO deputy head. 'By doing so, they can capture instantly the information of areas, and help us identify some progress of sites, and actual condition of landslide sites and whether we should deploy more resources to handle emergencies,' he added. The office said it received a total of 181 landslide reports last year. None of them caused any casualties. 'There were no fatalities last year not because the incidents were minor, but instead, the landslides did not hit any buildings or roads,' Shum said. In 2023, Hong Kong saw its largest recorded rockfall in a century at Yiu Hing Road in Shau Kei Wan during heavy rain, while a landslide also closed Shek O Road for two days.
South China Morning Post
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Romantic Warrior tired but healthy as he awaits Hong Kong return
Romantic Warrior, jockey James McDonald and trainer Danny Shum after being denied in the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m). Photos: Kenneth Chan Romantic Warrior has pulled up well from his shock defeat in Saturday night's Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) at Meydan, with the Danny Shum Chap-shing stable looking forward to getting their hero home for a well-earned rest. A hot favourite to add a Hong Kong record 11th Group One success to his glittering CV, Romantic Warrior had the measure of Japan's Soul Rush everywhere but the finish line in an epic contest decided by the tightest of photo finishes. 'The horse has pulled up fine. He is healthy. He will come back to Hong Kong and have a rest. It's been a long trip for him and we think he is a bit tired,' said Ben So Tik-hung, assistant trainer to Shum. After completing quarantine in Dubai, Romantic Warrior will return to Hong Kong later this month to recover from his arduous campaign in the Middle East. His next race is likely to come in November's Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m). While the world's highest-earning racehorse will have to wait for his 11th Group One success, his exploits in the Middle East have done more for his reputation than anything he could have achieved at home in the past few months. A sparkling winner of the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan in January, Romantic Warrior had to settle for second to Forever Young in a Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) battle that seemed to prove telling for both gallopers come Dubai World Cup night. Feted by Hong Kong fans, Romantic Warrior has an ever-growing profile abroad and jockey Cristian Demuro spoke glowingly of Shum's charge after getting his measure aboard Soul Rush. 'It's as good a performance as he's ever produced, he beat the best horse in the world today,' said Demuro. 'It is a special win because we are now part of the Romantic Warrior story. He doesn't lose many races, but today he found a good horse.' Now boasting a record of 18 wins and five seconds from 25 starts, Romantic Warrior's second in the US$5 million (HK$39 million) Dubai Turf pushed his career earnings to HK$214,709,697. Romantic Warrior's next big target will be securing a record-extending fourth consecutive victory in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), while there has already been chat that Shum and owner Peter Lau Pak-fai could give their champion another chance to master the Riyadh dirt in next year's Saudi Cup.
South China Morning Post
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Romantic Warrior's season likely to end after Dubai Turf, confirms Danny Shum
Romantic Warrior's 2024-25 season is likely to end after his run in the Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) on April 5, Danny Shum Chap-shing confirmed at Sha Tin on Sunday. While a change in quarantine protocols between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia means Romantic Warrior could chase a fourth straight win in the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) on April 27, and a defence of his Group One Yasuda Kinen (1,600m) crown in Japan in June has long been considered by connections, Shum told the Post he and owner Peter Lau Pak-fai are leaning towards giving their champion a spell after his run on Dubai World Cup night. 'I'm not 100 per cent sure but I can quite confidently tell you that after April 5 we will quarantine in Dubai and then come back to Hong Kong and stop racing until next season,' Shum said. 'The Dubai Turf will be his last run of the season because it is too tricky otherwise. 'I've talked to the owner and we think we are better off giving him a break and waiting for next season. 'Going straight to Japan is too hard for him – Peter and I agree that it's too hard for him after a few months in Dubai and the travel to Saudi.' After wins in December's Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) and January's Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan followed by a brave second in February's Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on dirt, Romantic Warrior will chase a third elite-level success for the season in the Dubai Turf. Shum expects to then turn his attention to preparing the world's highest-earning racehorse for a tilt at a fourth consecutive win in the Hong Kong Cup before a potential return to the Saudi Cup. The quarantine changes do open the door for other gallopers who raced on Saudi Cup night to compete on April 27's Champions Day at Sha Tin, for which the free entries close on March 17. Wong and Hall taste long-awaited success Britney Wong Po-ni enjoyed a number of firsts at Sha Tin on Sunday, snaring her maiden Hong Kong brace while also tasting success for her boss, David Hall, for the first time. The 10-pound claimer also jumped into top position in Hong Kong's unofficial all-weather premiership, moving to seven dirt wins in her debut season with victories aboard Natural High for Hall in the Class Four Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (1,200m) and Manfred Man Ka-leung's Self Improvement in the Class Three Sa Po Handicap (1,200m). 'It's great. I had two doubles when I was in Australia but they were both non-TAB meetings, so this feels fantastic,' said Wong. 'Whether it's turf or dirt, I'll go for it and it's good that I have one [surface] that works in a particular way, so I'm very happy.' Wong got away with an easy first section in the lead aboard Natural High before putting the foot down at the right time to surge to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory. 'It's taken a bit longer than what we would have hoped for, but we know the experience level Britney is at,' Hall said. 'I haven't had as many of those jump-and-run horses that's she been riding a lot of and getting her share of winners. Natural High runs away with it! Britney Wong lands her 11th win this season at Sha Tin... 🔥#LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025 'It was just good that we connected today – we had a third and a second [earlier on the card] and she came out and she said 'we're going to go one better this time boss' and she did.' Man was the only trainer to end the afternoon with a double, closing out the card with the victory of Patch Of Cosmo in the Class Three Tak Ku Ling Handicap (1,600m). Lucky With You makes it two Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's Lucky With You is looking at a return to Group company after snaring his second consecutive Class One success in Sunday's Kowloon City Handicap (1,200m). After settling one-off in midfield under Luke Ferraris, Lucky With You powered home to salute by a length and a half at the juicy odds of $8.95. 'Last time he came back to Class One and it was a lot easier for him. This race was a similar field, but he drew seven and [Invincible Sage] was also dropping down to Class One. But my horse held his form,' said Lor of Lucky With You, who has twice run second at Group One level but has failed to fire against the best this season. 'I was a little bit worried on Thursday and Friday when it was raining because he doesn't like rain. But yesterday was OK and today was OK. Two rides, two wins! 🔥@LukeFerraris maintains his unbeaten record aboard Lucky With You as Frankie Lor's sprinter powers off with the Class 1 dash at Sha Tin... @FCLOR_RACING #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 9, 2025 'I'm still thinking [where he goes next] because he will go up to 115 or 116 [in the ratings]. 'We need to look at the [Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) on March 30] and then the next is [April's Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m)]. If he pulls up well and is eating well, then maybe he will run at the end of the month.' Ferraris consolidated his spot in the top four of the jockeys' premiership, moving to 30 winners for the campaign with his second straight win aboard Lucky With You. 'I sat back on him, pulled him out at the 400m and coasted up to them at the furlong, let him go and put them to bed,' said the South African jockey.
South China Morning Post
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Romantic Warrior camp confident ahead of audacious dirt test in Saudi Cup
James McDonald and Danny Shum Chap-shing are optimistic Romantic Warrior will handle his first test on dirt as Hong Kong's champion galloper bids for another slice of history in the world's richest race, the US$20 million Saudi Cup (1,800m). Run at 1.40am Hong Kong time on Sunday morning, the Group One feature represents a new challenge for Romantic Warrior as he heads into unknown territory racing on a dirt track for the first time. Many greats of the turf have failed on dirt surfaces, but superstar jockey McDonald maintains full confidence in Romantic Warrior after riding the 10-time Group One victor in trackwork at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this week. 'He's worked on the dirt and obviously that's the big question mark and we won't know until race day,' McDonald said. 'I've got a feeling that he will be successful on the dirt. He's just a very good racehorse, so he'll adapt well. The main thing is that his well-being is spot on. He looks great and he feels great, so we can't do any more. 'I haven't ridden on too many dirt tracks so I can't really compare too many, but he seemed to handle it OK. It's a real powdery sort of track and the kickback was there but it wasn't coarse or anything.' The winner of a world record HK$179.66 million in prize money, Romantic Warrior is fresh from a four-and-a-half-length victory in track-record time in the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) in Dubai last start. The globetrotting galloper, who has also won Group Ones in Hong Kong, Australia and Japan, will be the city's first horse to race in Saudi Arabia. Shum has left no stone unturned in search of Saudi Cup glory, applying special 'grip shoes' designed to help Romantic Warrior handle the dirt while also enlisting the services of renowned Australian horse physio, Tom Simpson. 'It's a great opportunity to be here and run in the most valuable race in the world. It's a great honour for Hong Kong and my stable and we really appreciate it,' Shum said. 'You never know until you're past the winning post, but he's very fit and physically he's the best he's been in his career. 'I'm confident he'll handle the dirt, but I don't know whether he'll handle the kickback.' Shum was also pleased when Romantic Warrior drew barrier three in the 14-horse field. A 19th career victory at the weekend will elevate Romantic Warrior to a new level of greatness as Hong Kong's most successful Group One winner of all time. He currently shares that title with the retired Golden Sixty. Japan's Forever Young is expected to be his biggest threat despite drawing wide in barrier 14. He boasts an exceptional dirt record including wins in the Group One Tokyo Daishoten (2,000m) last start and last year's Group Three Saudi Derby (1,600m). The Saudi Cup is one of seven races at King Abdulaziz Racecourse to be simulcast by the Jockey Club. Five races from Caulfield, headlined by the Group One Futurity Stakes (1,400m), will also be beamed live for betting on Saturday.
South China Morning Post
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Slight change to Romantic Warrior's travel plans no concern ahead of Saudi Cup
Ten-time Group One winner flies to Riyadh three days later than originally scheduled in preparation for world's richest race by Jay Rooney on Thursday, February 6, 2025 1:36 PM Romantic Warrior wins the Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan on January 24. Photos: Alex Evers/HKJC A later arrival to Saudi Arabia than first planned won't hinder Danny Shum Chap-shing's plans for Romantic Warrior as the Hong Kong superstar prepares for his assault on the world's richest race. Shum had booked Romantic Warrior on a flight from Dubai on Friday, but the 10-time Group One winner will now make the short trip to Riyadh on Monday ahead of his next target, the US$20 million Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on February 22. 'He'll travel on the 10th, it was the only flight I could choose,' Shum said. 'He'll still be OK. I leave on the 8th to head across. The horse is going well.' Romantic Warrior added Group One glory in the United Arab Emirates to his glittering global CV with a record-breaking triumph in the Jebel Hatta (1,800m) at Meydan on January 24. However, the winner of a world record HK$179.66 million in prize money faces a new challenge when he races on the dirt for the first time in the Saudi Cup. Shum will consider applying a special pair of 'grip shoes', which are banned in Hong Kong, to help his stable star's transition to the dirt. 'I'll see how [Romantic Warrior's travelling companion] Romantic Charm goes in them in the morning on the 12th or 13th [of February] and then decide,' Shum said. 'I was not allowed to do it here in Hong Kong so I have to try them on Romantic Charm, I have got no option. Even in a 400m jumpout without any other horses, [the Jockey Club] said no.' Last year's Group One Dubai World Cup (2,000m) winner Laurel River, who was recently crowned the world's joint-best horse, French star Facteur Cheval and Japan's Forever Young will be among Romantic Warrior's rivals in the Saudi Cup. He will then finish his Middle Eastern campaign in either the Dubai World Cup or Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) in April. Before turning his focus to Romantic Warrior, Shum will bid to extend his lead in the trainers' championship with five runners at Sha Tin on Sunday. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 26, 2025 The headline act is Gorgeous Win, who chases back-to-back victories when he contests the feature of the day, the Class One TVB Cup (1,200m). The consistent galloper broke through for his second success this term when he stormed home under Zac Purton to claim the Class Two Para Equestrian Handicap (1,200m) last start. In his first test at Class One level, Gorgeous Win clashes with Group Three winner Taj Dragon, the in-form Raging Blizzard, Copartner Prance, Group One placegetter Lucky With You, Magic Control, Son Pak Fu and Harmony N Blessed. 'It looks a hard race and it's hard to tell how he will go,' Shum said. 'But he's maintained his form.' With Purton set to ride Francis Lui Kin-wai's Copartner Prance, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu hops aboard Gorgeous Win for the first time. The son of Press Statement jumps from barrier two and drops six pounds on his last-start triumph to carry 123 on Sunday. Blazing Wind is another last-start winner for Shum bidding for consecutive wins, with the Deep Field gelding rising to Class Three level for the first time in Sunday's TVB Heroes In White Handicap (1,200m). Blazing Wind broke through for his first win at start eight when narrowly scoring under James McDonald at Sha Tin on January 19. He takes on stronger opposition headlined by Chris So Wai-yin's Hong Lok Golf, who is unbeaten from two starts, and Triumphant More, a winner at two of three starts for Frankie Lor Fu-chuen. Mr Justice, Allcash and Mr Vigor are the other Sha Tin starters for Shum, who leads the race for the trainers' title on 29 wins this season.
