More than 50,000 fans turned up at Sha Tin yesterday to witness a dazzling opening to the racing season, with Billion Win - whose career seemed over a year ago - capturing the $2 million HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup.
Billion Win, reunited with South African jockey Douglas Whyte, scored a gripping win in the last few strides, and the rider said: 'I love this horse and he loves me. That was just a great moment. Over a year ago he looked gone for all money.
'He had a suspensory [support] and it isn't easy to come back from injury to be at your best in this sort of company.'
Whyte rode a double at the meeting as did newcomer Shane Dye, one of the most colourful jockeys in Australia. Dye won the opener on Spot On and the last with Exultation.
'I couldn't have asked for a better start. The feeling when I won on the first one in the first race of the new season was unbelievable,' Dye said.
It wasn't all sweetness and light, however. While Billion Win, who once won five on the bounce, was turning the clock back, top sprinter Tajasur, sent off an unbackable favourite in the feature race, returned lame and last. The horse is due to run in the Sprinters' Championship in Tokyo on October 1 but is looking doubtful.
