In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith has something quite different as he tells the story of the arrival of the sport of harness racing in far-off Asia. In 1980, a rather grandiose racing facility was established in Macau for the purpose of introducing a new form of entertainment and gambling opportunity to that part of the world. Where is Macau? Well, read on and find out a bit more about this faraway place that once played host to the sport of harness racing.
In early 1980, word began to circulate about Asia's first-ever harness racing venture. The spot chosen for this history-making happening was the city of Macau. The former Portuguese colony, a near neighbour of Hong Kong, occupies a small peninsula and two islands off China's southern coast.
A view of the Macau Jockey Club entrance as it appeared around 1980.
Its economy revolves around tourism. Macau had capitalized on its long history as a gambling centre, drawing many thousands of visitors from China and Hong Kong. While other forms of gambling had succeeded, this was the first-ever attempt at presenting harness racing.
The following piece appeared in the local press in 1980 at about the time the new track opened:
"The track was built by local gambling mogul Yip Hon. Australian Harness Racing Hall of Famer Ken Dyer was employed to set up the complex. By April 1980, the trainers, assistants and their families had arrived, accommodation had been found, and 500 horses purchased in Australia and New Zealand were shipped to the island."
Macau Jockey Club facility showing the picturesque background.
It is interesting to learn how this new track went about securing horses for its inaugural meeting; it was quite different, to say the least. In late May of 1980, the first shipment of horses arrived in Macau and consisted of a group of 234 horses, all from New Zealand. The following report appeared in The Standardbred magazine outlining their rather unusual arrival.
"After 23 days of travel aboard the Helene Clausen from New Zealand to Macau, 234 weary New Zealand Standardbred horses were unloaded at the Coloane wharf and taken to their stables at the newly established multi-million-dollar Macau Trotting complex. Already they have settled into their plush new stables and are part of the busy scene at Taipa."
The 20 trainers and foremen from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and Canada worked through the night unloading horses onto floats that would transport them to their stables at the track. In total, 15 trips were made from the wharf to the track, a distance of about 11.3 kilometres.
Bloodstock agents from New Zealand who accompanied the shipment reported that the horses had travelled well and arrived without any major problems. The one minor issue was preventing the horses from lying down for any length of time.
The fear was that the animals could become cast in the cramped conditions and might not have been able to get up. The trainers agreed that the horses were in generally remarkable condition in view of their arduous journey.
Personnel familiar with trotting horses were somewhat surprised that all of the horses survived, as they had feared that one or two might have been lost (that is, died). The report also stated, "Once free, the horses were anxious to walk around, and many had the pleasure of a roll in the sand near their stables. Many were tired, footsore, and had grazes due to the occasional rough seas, which had thrown them against their stalls aboard the ship."
Summary
Racing action at the Macau Jockey Club shows a field of horses pacing down the stretch.
Harness racing did begin in Macau as planned and, for a time, succeeded to a certain extent. Several people who had been involved elsewhere joined in. A number of U.S. horsemen made the long journey, as did Canadian trainer-driver Duwayne Guest, a gentleman who hailed from the Dresden, Ont. area. Many observers of the overall endeavour might conclude that he may have ranked among the top performers during the track's somewhat limited existence.
The Sydney Morning Herald carried the following short report at the time of the track's grand opening in September 1980.
"More than 15,000 people attended the Sept. 6 opening meeting of the Macau Trotting Club as the first race was won by a horse named Beaudene, handled by New Zealand horseman Steven Hunt. Sent off at odds of 50-1 in the Caesars Palace Gold Cup, it created a rather raucous start to the new venture.
"The Macau Trotting Company spared no expense at the opening meeting, having film stars Gregory Peck and Cary Grant on hand for the presentation of trophies and promotional purposes."
A view of the huge grandstand at the Macau track. The grandstand was a magnificent structure that featured multiple levels.
Harness racing was introduced to Macau in 1980 with the inauguration of the Macau Raceway, Asia's first harness racing track. Operated by the Macau Trotting Club, the raceway was built on 200,000 square metres of reclaimed land on the island of Taipa and consisted of an oval track five-eighths of a mile long and 24 metres wide. The grandstand could accommodate some 15,000 people, with seats for 6,000 in the air-conditioned section.
In 1988, after eight years of harness racing in Macau, the decision was made to discontinue further activity. It was said that trotting never really caught on in this part of the world, as the thoroughbreds had too strong a grip on horse racing.
After operating for several years with serious financial difficulties, the facility was shuttered, and that marked the end of harness racing in that region. In 1984, the World Driving Championship races were held there. I am attempting to gather enough information on this event for a future story.
Quote For The Week: "The average person has five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing. The successful person has two more: horse sense and common sense." - Found in a 1976 issue of The Canadian Sportsman.
Who Is It?
Can you identify this gentleman who is extremely well known throughout the sport? He spent a portion of his long working career at the Macau track in an executive position.
Who Else Is It?
Can you name this fellow? I was told that he spent some time racing at the Macau track. In any event, who is he?
(The correct answers will be posted here by Robert as a comment in a few days.)