Trophies sign of flourishing Wuhan relationship

Three trophies to be presented at tomorrow’s Canterbury Jockey Club race meeting at Riccarton Park are a sign of a flourishing relationship between Christchurch and its sister organisation, Wuhan Jockey Club.

Canterbury Development Corporation Sector Leader China, Prof Eugene Feng, and horse racing expert Murray Acklin, will present the trophies to the owner, trainer and jockey of the Race 6 winner on behalf of the Chinese Wuhan Jockey Club.

“This is the third year the Canterbury Jockey Club and Wuhan Jockey Club have exchanged trophies. The ongoing commitment to this relationship is a very positive sign,” Prof Feng says.

The relationship formed because of CDC’s initiatives with Christchurch’s Strategic Friendship City, Wuhan.

Prof Feng and CDC Sector Leader Innovation Larry Podmore visited Wuhan in March 2005 and identified a number of business opportunities with the racing club’s parent company, Oriental Lucky Horse.

As a result of that and subsequent visits, former New Zealand Racing Board Director Thoroughbreds Murray Acklin helped set up the sister club relationship when he visited Wuhan with a 2006 Mayoral Delegation.

Wuhan had recently made a decision to revitalise its horse racing industry, which had been abolished in 1949.

The Wuhan Jockey Club is expected to start its betting early next year. In the meantime, Murray Acklin and Prof Feng have sourced quality expertise to assist the Wuhan club with re-establishing the industry. A former CJC Chief Executive, a stable manager and racing manager now have administrative positions in Wuhan.

“It’s a very exciting relationship with great potential for the racing industry in Canterbury. We’re exporting expertise, horses and related products and re-establishing New Zealand’s reputation as a leader in the industry. There’s exciting times ahead,” Prof Feng says.

Tomorrow’s race, the Trevino’s Bar & Restaurant/Wuhan Jockey Club Trophy starts at 2.53pm at Riccarton Park.