The Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby 2011 @ Sha Tin Race Track

We went to the races at Sha Tin racetrack today. This was something that was on my Hong Kong bucket list. Horse racing is a very well established pastime in this former British colony. It is something that the Chinese have taken to heart and really adore, what with their general love of gambling and the complete absence of other team sporting events that are so prevalent in North America and Europe.

The stands were packed today with a very vocal crowd and when the $16M Mercedes-Benz Cup race came around everyone stood and cheered like they were ready for the Red Mile. I have never seen a racing crowd like that in Calgary except at Stampede during the Chuckwagon Races.

I had fun today but the wife had way more fun. She was raking in the $HK. She had a complex and quite bafflingly ingenious system and if you don't tell her that I have told you the secret of her system, please read on.

Today Linda's winning bets were always on the number 8 horse.  It wasn't any numerology thing, it was just that the names and the colours of the jockey's silks seemed to be so fine.  Here is an example of the first two races:

Race No. 4 (our first) Linda bets on No. 8 horse named Super Horse whose silks =                
Linda's Bet: $100HK Linda Wins: $400HK

Race No. 5 (our second) Linda bets on No. 8 horse named Elegant Bachelor whose silks =
Linda's Bet: $100HK Linda Wins $485HK

Need I go on? What happened to the time-tested system based on statistical analysis of a multitude of proven methodology that render an intelligent risked choice? Well, let's just say I got blanked thinking too hard. Let's face it, at least when you bet on the silk colour you can easily see your pick as it pushes past all the other 'smart choices' for the finish line.

I will try to import some photos of the races tomorrow.