Firstly, I must admit that the privilege of media accreditation gives me access to places and events at the world’s great race meetings which may be out of reach of the regular racing fan.

However, that is not so much the case in Hong Kong and that’s part of the reason why the LONGINES HKIR has been incredibly popular with racing tour promoters from around the world and especially from Australia.

You can go to morning track work at Sha Tin; get great dining and wining packages (at prices which are extremely good value compared to the rest of the world) at either the spectacular, bright lights festooned Happy Valley on Wednesday night or to the panoramic Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon.

Promoters are also often able to gain ticketing to the special events staged during the week of the international races.

I am reminded of all this and and what a wonderful a week it is – it’s Disneyland for grown ups as a prelude to Christmas – as I have returned for the first time since 2019; an absence, of course, forced by COVID-19 and not by lack of desire.

I am reassured that the meeting has been reestablished in all its glory – save for the lack of tourists but as restrictions are easing in Hong Kong I think it’s not unreasonable to imagine it will be back to normal (or near normal) in the new year. The first step to woo international owners, trainers and jockeys has been completed.

As it stands, and let’s be frank, you certainly would not – right now – board a plane bound for Hong Kong and the races if you were feeling unwell or had a positive RAT test at any point of departure. But, of course, it would be unwise to head anywhere if that were the case.

Precautions and COVID-19 contingencies are still a higher priority here than many other places and you will have to isolate if you test positive. You must undergo a PCR test on arrival and then on the following two days before having complete freedom of movement.

There’s been some inconvenience, of course, to that but it’s limited and a price I’m happy to have paid to see the four International races which will be staged on Sunday.

The Sprint is arguably not as strong as some years but still holds plenty of interest and offers punters probably the biggest puzzle, and perhaps reward, of the weekend. The Cup, Vase and Mile are brilliant races with high class international runners.

Japan’s Glory Vase seeks a third win in the Hong Kong Vase but faces stiff competition from compatriot Win Marilyn along with Ballydoyle’s Stone Age and the Mikel Delzangles trained Bubble Gift who might be a good long shot

Golden Sixty chases a third win in the Mile and it would be brave to bet against him but Beauty Joy is the long shot worth including in this race.

Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior has won eight of his nine starts and may win again but the Japanese duo Panthalassa and Jack D’Or will ensure a ferocious pace and rake very highly on their performances in the Tenno Sho Autumn with that form already having held up in the Japan Cup.