TDN Weekend December 2016 Issue 9
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1075818
International Races day, producing a strik- ing performance in Class 3 and returning to win again on New Year's Day in Class 2. He is shaping like a horse with a bright future and has stamped himself as the top 3-year-old in Hong Kong. Shum said he felt the new facility offers something that simply isn't available in the intense and somewhat claustrophobic Sha Tin arena. "It's very quiet and the air is clean, so horses who have been there can come back with a different mentality and [be] ready to give their best performance. It's going to continue to be a big thing for me in the future." "Another big feature is the rehabilitation unit to help horses recover from injury and disease with optimal therapy," said Nad- er. "Chilled salt water spas and an aqua treadmill are available and small thera- peutic units will be available in the near fu- ture. This is in addition to the 20 spelling paddocks that are perfectly positioned in a quiet, picturesque part of the site to give horses a break from the rigors of racing." While not committing to an actual time- line, the Club plans to add additional train- ers at the facility in 2019 to increase the horse population at Conghua. There may be as many as 14 trainers enjoying the ben- efits of the new training centre before the current racing season ends in mid-July. After spending two days touring Cong- hua, it is hard not to be impressed by the breathtaking facilities, the magnitude of the entire operation, and the professional horsemanship by the Jockey Club-trained staff at the site – something that will be on display to all at the Exhibition Raceday on March 23.