WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1986
THE QUEEN GOES TO THE RACES
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IT WAS A DAY AT THE RACES SUCH AS SHA TIN HAS NEVER SEEN WHEN THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH WENT TO TODAY'S MEETING, ATTENDED A CIVIC LUNCH AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MET LEADING PERSONALITIES OF THE LOCAL RACING WORLD, AND PRESENTED THE TROPHY FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH I HANDICAP.
THE RECORD CROWD OF 62 000 RACEGOERS WERE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SAW THE ROYAL VISITORS ON THIS OCCASION THAN AT ANY OTHER EVENT ON THE TOUR WHEN THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP DROVE DOWN THE STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GRANDSTAND.
THE QUEEN ARRIVED AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AFTER SPENDING THE MORNING VISITING A HOUSING ESTATE, THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA AND THE SHA TIN SPORTS GROUND.
SHE WAS RECEIVED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE RHKJC, SIR MICHAEL SANDBERG, AND LADY SANDBERG. SIR MICHAEL PRESENTED THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE CLUB, MR LI FOOK-WO, AND MRS LI AND THE CLUB'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MAJOR GENERAL G.H. WATKINS, AND MRS WATKINS.
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ARRIVED SEPARATELY AFTER SPENDING THE MORNING OPENING THE CASTLE PEAK 'B' POWER STATION AND VISITING THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE.
LUNCHEON GUESTS WERE PRESENTED TO HER MAJESTY AND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS AND THE ROYAL VISITORS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR EDWARD YOUDE, AND LADY YOUDĚ ENTERED THE DOUBLE HAVEN DINING ROOM ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE CLUBHOUSE. WHEN THEY REACHED THEIR SEATS, THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT PLAYED THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
THE QUEEN, THE DUKE AND THE GUESTS SAT DOWN TO A SIX-COURSE CHINESE LUNCH, AND AFTER THE SHARKS FIN SOUP COURSE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THE LOYAL TOAST.
AFTER LUNCH, THE QUEEN AND PRINCE PHILIP, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LADY YOUDE AND MR AND MRS LI WENT TO THE FOURTH FLOOR BALCONY TO WATCH THE FIRST RACE, THE ST JAMES' PALACE HANDICAP OVER 1200 METRES.
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