The Jockey Club has donated HK$70.2 million to the victims of the Tai Po fire after a subdued afternoon of racing at Sha Tin on Sunday.

A minute’s silence was observed before Sunday’s closed-door meeting, which was restricted to owners, stewards, voting members and their invited guests, and there was none of the colour and buzz of a normal Sha Tin meeting.

“I want to express my deep condolences to all of those who have been affected by this tragic fire,” said Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

“I hope that we conducted today’s race meeting with the utmost respect.

“We will look at what arrangements we will make for next week because we are of the view that even on Wednesday, even though the period of mourning is three days, I don’t believe that we should go Wednesday to a full Happy Wednesday.

“It’s not the right time. We have to be very mindful of the feelings of people. We are of the view that we will admit the public but the activities will definitely not be in normal mode.”

The HK$70.2 million was the gross income from Sunday’s meeting and the Jockey Club has now donated HK$170.2 million to relief efforts while also providing practical support to families in need.

Valour makes Majestic start

Pierre Ng Pang-chi is hopeful there is plenty more to come from Majestic Valour after the four-year-old produced a promising debut success in the Class Four 1,200m Turf Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday.

After travelling sweetly on the back of a strong pace that came as a result of outsider Joy Capital keeping hot favourite Ever Luck honest up front, Majestic Valour wore Ever Luck down in the straight and pulled away to salute by a length and three-quarters.

“He trialled well in New Zealand, that’s why we got him, and we gave him four trials here and he did it easily,” said Ng.

“He’s got the ability and good size, so hopefully he can improve.”

Sent off $1.5 after an impressive debut win of his own after running out sharply on the turn last month, Ever Luck won’t lose too many admirers after sticking on solidly enough in a race run more than half a second inside standard through the first 800m.

Ng confirmed he and jockey Zac Purton had discussed the potential of Ever Luck again losing his way, however Mark Newnham’s three-year-old was much more professional.

“I told Zac just to be aware and to make sure that if he goes out, to go back in,” said Ng after Majestic Valour’s victory at $5.7.

“He did it nicely today and hopefully he can do a lot more.”

By tasting success at a third straight Sha Tin meeting, Ng moved to eight winners for the campaign and he is hoping to carry his momentum into the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on December 14.

Galaxy Patch is one of the leading fancies for the Group One Hong Kong Mile after winning the Group Two Jockey Club Mile, while Ka Ying Generation enters the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) in good form following his third behind Romantic Warrior in the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m).

“We’re ticking along. We started off pretty slowly but it’s still early and we just have to time it right for the big races,” said Ng.

Glory for Yiu

Majestic Valour wasn’t the only debut winner on the Sha Tin card, with Packing Glory kicking off the meeting with an impressive success in the Class Four 1,000m Turf Handicap.

Away a touch awkwardly from barrier two, Packing Glory settled near the back of the field under Purton before finding his groove nicely out near the middle of the track and striding home strongly to win by a length and a quarter.

“The horse has got talent. He’s a nice up-and-coming horse. He doesn’t know what he’s doing,” said Ricky Yiu Poon-fai.

“Zac came back in and said it’s not easy to win first up with that draw and it obviously shows that he has some talent.

“I definitely hope so,” added Yiu when he asked if Packing Glory will enjoy stepping up in trip. “If you want him to be one of the top horses over the spring, you’ve got to get 1,200m.

“I’m very thankful to the owner for giving me such a good horse and their support.”

Yiu went on to complete a double by taking out the Class Three 1,200m AWT Handicap with Victory Sky.