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Michael Chang surveys Meydan in 2014, before Rich Tapestry's second in the Golden Shaheen. He returns this year with a very strong chance of going one better on the newly laid dirt surface. Photos: Kenneth Chan

Punters across the globe converge to bet on the Dubai World Cup - with mixed results

The attention of the racing world turns to the Middle East this weekend and to Dubai’s Meydan racecourse, that opulent jewel of Sheikh Mohammed’s crown in the middle of nowhere.

26 Mar 2015

Ryan Moore almost missed out on the ride on Hong Kong Derby runner-up Got Fly after his flight from London was delayed. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

The saga of Ryan Moore and how Formula One can be a blueprint for the travelling circus of top jockeys

19 Mar 2015 - 9:30 PM

John Moore was not overly happy with the Derby barrier draw for Helene Happy Star.

The Griffin

Derby barrier draw antics a measure of luck and circumstance

12 Mar 2015 - 8:56 PM

Siu Pak-kwan (second from left) with his three children - Connie, Edmond and Martin. The family is one of Hong Kong's most successful racing families, but has had little luck in the BMW Hong Kong Derby. Photo: David Wong

The Griffin

Hong Kong Derby lottery falls flat for owner Siu Pak-kwan

5 Mar 2015 - 6:27 PM

There would be uproar if there was a Class Five galloper named Frankel, but it is impossible as the name Frankel is protected by the IFHA. Photo: Reuters

The Griffin

Why reusing a champion's name, like Rising Fast, needs to be stopped

26 Feb 2015 - 8:37 PM

The Griffin

A walk down memory lane: historical pictures of Hong Kong racing

12 Feb 2015 - 6:19 PM

Going cold turkey off Twitter lasted 12 days. Photo: Supplied

The Griffin

Confronting a Twitter addiction provides insights into the racing world

5 Feb 2015 - 7:01 PM

Peniaphobia will fly the flag for Hong Kong's sprinters for years to come. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Changing of the guard for Hong Kong's sprinters, with Peniaphobia the flagbearer

29 Jan 2015 - 8:40 PM

Just A Way's win in the Dubai Duty Free was named the best performance of 2014 and earned him the somewhat erroneous title, "World's Best Racehorse". Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Asia 4, Europe 3: the brave new world of racing emerges

22 Jan 2015 - 6:01 PM

Yuichi Fukunaga salutes as Just A Way wins the Dubai Duty Free comfortably. He will be named the world's best racehorse of 2014 in London next week - but would he win the award if a different format was used? Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

World racing deserves its own Oscars, similar to America's Eclipse Awards

15 Jan 2015 - 10:15 PM

Mi Savvy (Olivier Doleuze) tries to bite Silver Dragon, surprising Karis Teetan. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Savvy turns savage as Suarez syndrome strikes

8 Jan 2015 - 9:35 PM

Hong Kong Mile winner Able Friend would be a drawcard for Sydney's The Championships, but how likely is it that he'll head to Australia? Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Able Friend heading down under? Don’t hold your breath

2 Jan 2015 - 5:18 PM

Jamie Spencer and Sheikh Fahad al-Thani share a joke at the Arlington Million in Chicago in August. The same weekend, the Qatari royal told Spencer his services as a jockey would no longer be required. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The Griffin

Spencer's "retirement" the racing non-story of the year

18 Dec 2014 - 7:15 PM

Aerovelocity kicks back to hold off favourite Silly Buddies in the Class Three over 1,200m that kicked off international day in 2013. A year on, Paul O'Sullivan's Aerovelocity is likely to start favourite in the Hong Kong Sprint. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

The features aside, the HKIR undercard is just as crucial

11 Dec 2014 - 9:45 PM

There is plenty that happens during international week, but it's not all about what happens on track. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

What happens in Hong Kong stays here: HKIR not just about what happens on track

4 Dec 2014 - 8:32 PM

The Dubai World Cup meeting is the closest thing to racing's world championships, but even it has its drawbacks. Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Why an all-encompassing world championship event in racing is impossible

27 Nov 2014 - 7:48 PM

This local Hong Kong Sprint contender is one of the few horses that looks over the odds in early markets overseas. Who is he? Photo: Kenneth Chan

The Griffin

Overseas HKIR markets show the odds are in favour of the bookies

20 Nov 2014 - 8:46 PM

The Griffin

Hong Kong's wacky and wild racegoers - the pick of the crop

13 Nov 2014 - 8:08 PM

Award-winning writer Andrew Hawkins graduated from university in Australia with a communications degree, specialising in journalism, and has married that with his deep love of racing. His enthusiasm took him far and wide to see the sport at its best, from stud farms in Ireland to the iconic race meetings of the world, while he honed the skills as an online journalist and blogger he has brought to the Post. Andrew’s debut season in Hong Kong was notable for a shock first-up victory as the Post’s top tipster and his blog, The Griffin, has already garnered a dedicated audience. He was recently recognised for his stellar coverage of the 2015 Longines Hong Kong International Races.

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