Hundreds of guests came along to sample what lies ahead for the next three days.
Early in the evening jockeys involved in the HKJC Race of the Riders did their final training session in the main competition arena under the tutelage of some of the world’s best riders including Marco Kutscher, Simon Delestre, Bertram Allen and local rider Jacqueline Lai.
Jockey Neil Callan was very focussed as was Hong Kong’s champion jockey Joao Moreira who always wants to finish in first position. Tomorrow night’s HKJC Race of the Riders promises to be a great spectacle and will prove popular once again with the local audience.
A major highlight of tonight's Longines Masters of Hong Kong premiere party was the Shanghai Tang Polo Cup practise game.
It’s the first time a game of polo has been played in Hong Kong for more than 30 years and the practise match went right down to the wire with the Asian team scoring a one-goal victory over the Europeans in the last minute of play. After such a thrilling display it was not surprising that the crowd passionately embraced the historic return of polo to Hong Kong.
Asian team member Dirk Gould said he enjoyed playing the novel indoor game and the Australian rider said he was honoured to be part of the historic match.
“This is something really different and it’s lots of fun and very intense for us and the horses,” Gould said.
Tonight’s opening party also provided an important chance for show jumping riders including current FEI World No 2 Simon Delestre, Kevin Staut and UK champion John Whitaker to do their crucial warm-ups ahead of the next big three days of competition.
Exhibitors in the Prestige Village including Hermes, Opera Gallery and Massimo Dutti also opened their doors for the first time. Local media were also invited on an exclusive tour of the Prestige Village and walked the course with experts.