Hong Kong’s horse racing season got off to a flying start on Sunday, drawing the largest opening-day crowd to the Sha Tin course since the pandemic struck with punters wagering HK$1.31 billion.

Officials from the Jockey Club, the city’s sole authorised gambling operator, hailed the strong numbers, with the wet weather and stuttering local economy failing to put a dampener on the entertainment for the 42,556-strong crowd.

Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu, attending the racing in an official capacity for the first time, struck the gong to open the season and later took to social media to praise the atmosphere at Sha Tin, where as many as 7,000 spectators were mainland Chinese tourists.

“I hope these events can enhance Hong Kong’s international status and image, allowing more people to feel the charm and passion of Hong Kong,” he said, at a time when the government is ramping up its promotion of the city’s mega events in a bid to boost the economy.

Jockey Club boss Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said he was pleased to see strong numbers after attributing last season’s 4.5 per cent drop in overall turnover to the rise of illegal gambling, changes in consumer behaviour and tough economic conditions.